Scholarships

August 2025

Non-Traditional Scholarship for Sarasota County Women

The Venice Branch AAUW (American Association of University Women) continues to provide financial assistance, through a scholarship fund, to women residents of Sarasota County.

A non-traditional student is one whose family or other obligations required an interruption in studies prior to resuming higher education (Re-entry), or one who waited until later in life to start higher education (Delayed Entry).

The scholarships are funded through proceeds raised by an AAUW Home Tour held each February administered in a partnership with the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.  Other fund-raising events are held during the calendar year. This year we awarded scholarships totaling $13,000 to four deserving women. 

SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS

The candidate MUST:

  1. Be a resident of Sarasota County. If using a post office box number, verification of residency must be sent.
  2. Provide proof of application or enrollment in an accredited institution of higher education.
  3. Complete the scholarship application for Gulf Coast Community Foundation. Go to www.gulfcoastcf.org/scholarships. 
  4. Interviews with the AAUW Scholarship Committee are required.
  5. In addition to the above requirements, candidates for the Re-Entry Scholarship must have previously attended an accredited institution of higher education before studies were interrupted. 
    • Enclose official verification showing dates of these previous studies.
    • Forward a copy of the most recent transcript and proof of current enrollment.
    • These requirements will be evidenced in your application to Gulf Coast Community Foundation
  6. Successful scholarship recipients may re-apply for immediate subsequent years
  7. Scholarship winners will be notified by e-mail.

UNIVERSITY of SOUTH FLORIDA SCHOLARSHIPS (USF)

The partnership with USF continues to grow. Female students receive monies from the Pat Weber Scholarship Fund, which AAUW Venice established in 2022 after her death. The Venice branch wanted to honor Pat for her STEM contributions throughout the years.  This past year, AAUW Venice set up an additional scholarship at USF. Recipients who fit the criteria are chosen by the college faculty.

STATE COLLEGE of FLORIDA

This year the AAUW Venice branch set up an additional scholarship at SCF, which is in South Venice. Recipients who fit the criteria are chosen by the college faculty.

TECH TREK 2025

Through hands-on problem solving and experiences with women role models in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), AAUW Tech Trek encourages girls to explore possible careers in these fields. This summer two very successful in person Tech Trek camps were held for girls entering 8th grade in the fall.  The first camp was held at Stetson University in Deland FL and the second camp was held at Florida Atlantic University in Jupiter, FL.  The girls lived in campus dorms, ate their meals in the student cafeteria, and utilized the University classrooms and labs for their core classes and workshops. The camps were similar, but not identical. Core Courses included Qualcomm Wearable Tech, Structural Engineering, Neuroscience, Environmental Science, Forensic and Environmental Science and Marine Biology. 

This year AAUW Venice Chapter sponsored two young women, paying $1300 for room, board and tuition for each of them. In her thank you note, Payton wrote, “Thank you for selecting me for Tech Trek 2025. This was a great experience. My favorite part was meeting new friends who are so much like me. Some of my favorite classes were Structural Engineering, Bullet Journals, Bridge Building and Archery.” Kaylianna wrote, “Thank you for sending me to Tech Trek Camp at Stetson University. I liked when I dissected a sheep eye.” 

Letters will be e-mailed to school principals, math, science, and technology teachers by November 1, 2025, encouraging them to nominate current seventh grade girls with interest in STEM activities, to attend an all expense paid camp experience. Despite emails, phone calls, notes and cards, no nominations were received from public middle school teachers. All camp attendees were students who attended charter schools.