BGWC Scholarship Program

The Boca Grande Woman's Club Scholarship Program, formalized in 1982, provides financial assistance to students pursuing post-secondary education. In 2024, the Club awarded $291,000 to 49 scholars. The program has awarded nearly $4 million in financial assistance to over 350 students in the last 42 years.

Geographic Scope: Boca Grande Island, Florida and surrounding community

Focus Areas: Post-secondary education support (university, college, trade, or vocational school)

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be applying for admission to a post-secondary education program (university, college, trade, or vocational school)
• Must demonstrate a 3.0 (weighted) or better high school GPA
• Must meet Boca Grande Island residency and/or work requirements
• Must demonstrate financial need by completing the FAFSA form
• Must complete and submit the BGWC application by February 1
• Application period: November 1 – February 1

Ongoing Requirements for Continued Support

• Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA per semester
• Enroll in minimum 12 credit hours per semester (or full-time vocational enrollment)
• Submit by August 1 (fall semester) or January 4 (spring semester):
  • Personal letter discussing goals, objectives, and achievements including extracurricular activities
  • Official transcript showing grades with GPA of 2.0 or better
  • Proof of enrollment in minimum 12 credit hours
• Students who drop below 12 credits or 2.0 GPA may suspend (can resume when requirements are met)
• After two suspensions, scholarship terminates

Summer School Option

• Scholars enrolled full-time for at least 2 semesters and meeting all guidelines are eligible for up to 9 credits
• Awards issued at $250 per credit
• Funding provided after grades are posted

Success Rate

Students in the BGWC scholarship program complete their education in 2-4 years at a rate well above the national norm (national average: 59% completion within 6 years for bachelor's degrees at 4-year institutions).

Contact Information

info@bocagrandewomansclub.org

Organization Status: 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

Application Process

Timeline:

• Application period opens: November 1 at 9am
• Application deadline: February 1 at 11:30pm
• Applicants notified of status: April

Required Materials:

1. Completed BGWC Scholarship Application
2. FAFSA form (to demonstrate financial need)
3. High school transcripts (showing 3.0 weighted or better GPA)
4. Essay or personal statement (included in application)

Submission Format:

• Online application through website portal
• FAFSA must be completed with BGWC organization code

For Scholarship Recipients - Ongoing Submission Requirements (by August 1 for fall or January 4 for spring):

1. Personal letter discussing:
   • Goals and objectives
   • Achievements
   • Extracurricular activities
   • How scholarship money was utilized
2. Official transcript showing grades and GPA (minimum 2.0)
3. Proof of enrollment in minimum 12 credit hours for upcoming semester

Exit Interview:

• Required for graduating seniors
• Form available on website with fields for:
  • Name and degree earned
  • College attended
  • Current education or career status
  • Notable impacts of BGWC scholarship
  • Permission to feature in BGWC publications
  • Comments for program improvement

File Submission:

• Use online Scholarship File Submission form for ongoing requirements
• Accepted formats: doc, docx, pdf, jpg, jpeg, png, xls, xlsx, zip
• Maximum file size: 100 MB