Key West High School students have begun applying for the first batch of scholarships that will be awarded this spring. The school’s college & career office says more than $300,000 in scholarships will be awarded to graduating students through local donors and non-profit organizations. Final awards will be announced and presented at Class Night to be held on May 25, 2022.
A running list of scholarships and applications is rolled out every Friday through the college counseling office from February through April. The list is also at keysschools.com/domain/1044. Seniors are notified of new scholarships via text messages, emails and social media posts. To sign up for text reminders, see Lydia Estenoz in the guidance office at KWHS.
The most common criteria for scholarships are grade point average, community service hours, proof of college acceptance and moderate financial need. Scholarships are offered for specific college majors or careers such as firefighting, nursing, marine biology, aviation, hospitality management, construction and law studies. Students may also qualify for scholarships based on special criteria such as overcoming a hardship, being of a certain race or heritage, sports participation and having parents who work in the commercial fishing industry.
Scholarship applications have varying deadlines and may require interviews. Students may also have to provide additional documents such as transcripts, teacher recommendation letters, proof of college acceptance or copies of their Federal Student Aid Report.
Estenoz is available to meet with seniors to help them navigate the application process. She offers help with essays, transcripts, student resumes, preparing for interviews and accurately reporting financial information. Seniors are welcomed to walk in during lunch, during their free period or after school.
The pandemic affected the fundraising efforts of a few scholarships, which could benefit
from additional funding. If anyone is interested in making a donation, or establishing a
new scholarship for KWHS seniors, contact Estenoz at 305-293-1549, ext. 54307or by email to Lydia.estenoz@keysschools.com.
