SELBY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS

By investing in people through academic scholarships and supporting capital projects of local organizations, the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation looks beyond what is and enables change for what can be.

Click here to download a copy of the application form

Areas of Interest Mr. and Mrs. Selby were very interested in helping local students with limited financial means pursue a higher education, with the goal of not only achieving a meaningful career but also of helping their community. Today, “Selby Scholars” are undergraduate students with exceptional potential who embrace Mr. and Mrs. Selby’s values of leadership and service. Scholarships will be awarded up to $4,000 per year, not to exceed one-third of the individual’s financial need. These awards are renewable, with certain requirements, for the four years the student is enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university.

Scholarship Eligibility Criteria Like all of our funding, this scholarship program is only available to residents of Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte or DeSoto counties. Applicants must be either: 1) graduating seniors from any high school in those 4 counties; or 2) Associate degree students from any state college in those 4 counties (SCF, Edison, or S. FL Community College)  All applicants must be planning to pursue a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university on a full-time basis. Students who are already in college, or those planning to pursue a 2-year degree are not eligible. Further criteria are listed below: Scholarship awards will be based on:  Demonstrated financial need  A minimum 3.0 (unweighted) grade point average  High school (or state college) transcript  ACT or SAT scores  Evidence of personal growth potential through letters of recommendation from teachers and community members  Perspective on personal values and future plans outlined in essays  A personal interview

Limitations (for Renewal) Selby Scholarships are renewable for up to 4 years, provided that the student maintains at least a 3.0 GPA while enrolled full-time (at least 12 credit hours per semester) at an accredited university. Renewal is not automatic, it must be re-applied for each year, but the process is greatly simplified.

Unique Benefits of the Selby Scholarship There are two unique benefits of the Selby Scholar program that distinguish it from most other scholarships. First and foremost is the annual Selby Scholar Symposium, which each recipient is expected to attend. Held in Sarasota during the December/January holiday break, this lunchtime event pairs students with local community leaders working in their chosen fields. It is a great opportunity for Selby Scholars to network and to learn more about their career paths. The second unique benefit of the Selby Scholar program is that the amount awarded each year can vary based on the student’s current financial need. Instead of simply awarding a standard sum (as most other programs do), we calculate each student’s financial need every year to ensure that our award amount is optimal. This is particularly beneficial for second-year students, who often return to school without the one-time scholarship money they received as freshmen.

Scholarship Process Summary To apply for a scholarship, simply complete the Scholarship Application Form and submit it to the Selby office. The Foundation has a firm deadline on April 1st, which means that the application must be in the Foundation office before 5:00 p.m. EST on that day. Postmarks will not be honored, though email submissions are acceptable so long as all documents are scanned as a PDF file and submitted simultaneously (send to ejones@selbyfdn.org). If April 1st falls on a weekend or a holiday, the deadline is advanced to the next business day. All information required in the application must be complete at the time of submission. Applicants are encouraged to submit their completed applications in advance of the deadline, which gives foundation staff the opportunity to review their content and identify any missing information before it’s too late. After your application is received, it will be reviewed by a volunteer panel of 9 community members in an attempt to determine how well you fit the Selby Scholar program. The panel will select 45 students to proceed to the next step. Once those students are selected, all applicants will be notified in writing of the status of their application. The 45 students selected by the panel will then be scheduled for a personal interview. After all the interviews are complete, the panel will select 35 finalists to become Selby Scholars.

FAQs Q: Are there restrictions on which school I can attend or which major I can choose as a Selby Scholar? A: The only restriction is that the school you attend must be an accredited, 4-year institution. Otherwise, you may go anywhere and study anything you like. Q: What happens if I change schools after receiving the scholarship? A: As long as your new school is also an accredited, 4-year institution, there is no problem. The Selby Scholarship will simply “follow” you to the new school. Q: What happens if my GPA drops below a 3.0? A: You will still be considered a Selby Scholar, although you will not be eligible to receive further funding until you have at least a 3.0 GPA. Some students choose to enroll in Summer school to raise their GPA, but be advised that if you take credits at a different institution, the grades you earn don’t usually count toward your overall GPA. Finally, if your GPA goes above 3.0 in mid-year (after the Fall semester) you may be eligible to receive ½ your regular scholarship amount for the Spring semester. Q: Do you have any programs for Graduate Students? A: Unfortunately, we do not. However, if a Selby Scholar completes his/her undergraduate degree in 3 years, the 4th and final year of funding may be applied to graduate school.

Click here to download a copy of the application form