CFK receives $100K from Ocean Reef Community Foundation for scholarship for Upper Keys students

KEY WEST, FL, July 8, 2024— The College of the Florida Keys Foundation recently received $100,000 from the Ocean Reef Community Foundation (ORCF) to fund the ORCF Building Bridges Scholarship. This financial aid opportunity is available exclusively to students attending the College’s Upper Keys Center, starting this upcoming fall semester. Designed as a “last dollar” scholarship, it covers remaining expenses after federal, state, and other aid are disbursed. Funds can be applied to tuition, lab fees, and certain course-required expenses. Priority consideration will be given to students pursuing credentials in career technical education and professional skills programs.

“The goal for the Ocean Reef Community Foundation is to uncover opportunities that allow residents in the Upper Keys, Florida City, and Homestead to grow both personally and professionally. We have a strong belief that the primary way to achieve that goal is through education,” said Richard Weinstein, ORCF President & COO and CFK Board of Trustees member.

The Building Bridges Scholarship expands upon ORCF’s investment in CFK endeavors to grow education opportunities the Upper Keys. They previously contributed toward the construction of the College’s new Upper Keys Center in Key Largo, which opened in 2021, and provided a grant to purchase equipment for its testing center.

“The Ocean Reef Community Foundation Board unanimously agreed to provide $100,000 scholarship funding, focused on the Upper Keys Center, for the 2024-2025 school year as part of our transformational impact funding for major projects. We look forward to seeing this support both the College and the many students who will benefit from the life changing opportunity this educational opportunity provides,” Weinstein said.

Details, criteria, and the application for the ORCF Building Bridges Scholarship can be found on the College’s website at https://www.cfk.edu/discover/cfk-foundation/scholarship-info/. The initial deadline to apply for the fall 2024 opportunity is July 25. The College will hold scholarship application workshops at the CFK Upper Keys Center library on Monday, July 22 from 1 to 3 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. For assistance with scholarships, contact Shania Duarte-Vera, CFK Coordinator of Alumni and Donor Relations, at 305-809-3153 or [email protected]. The College may reopen an additional application period after the initial deadline.

For more information about donating to the College, contact Lana Gaspari, CFK Vice President of Advancement and CFK Foundation Director, at 305-809-3214 or [email protected]. Gifts to the CFK Foundation are tax-deductible.