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TWO SCHOLARSHIP AWARD CONTESTS 

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For 2026, The Women's Club of Coconut Creek is offering two categories of scholarship opportunities. 

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• Women's Club of Coconut Creek General Scholarship

  • Two $2,500.00 awards offered 

  • Available to any graduating high school senior living in the City of Coconut Creek may apply.​

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• Women's Club of Coconut Creek in Partnership with the Coconut Creek Benevolent Association Fire Rescue Scholarship

  • One $2,500.00 award offered

  • Available to any graduating high school senior living in the City of Coconut Creek who is pursuing a career as a Firefighter, EMT, or Paramedic may apply.​

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Please keep in mind that applicants can submit to only one scholarship opportunity.

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WHO IS ELIGIBLE:

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Any Class of 2026 high school graduate who resides in Coconut Creek is eligible to apply. Residency will be verified by the address listed on the applicant’s high school transcript. Students of any gender from public, private, charter, or homeschool programs are encouraged to participate. School attendance does not need to be within Coconut Creek; however, applicants must be current residents of Coconut Creek. 

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WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA:

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As a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of Coconut Creek resident, especially our youth, the Scholarship Committee places great value on community involvement. While academic achievement will be reviewed, the primary focus of scholarship selection is the applicant’s service and contributions to the betterment of the Coconut Creek community. Applicants should demonstrate their Coconut Creek community engagement through two five-paragraph essays. If selected as a finalist, the committee’s final judge may contact the reference listed on the application to learn more about the applicant’s service described in the essay.

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WHO SERVES IN THE SELECTION PROCESS:

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The Director of Scholarships is elected by the membership of The Women’s Club of Coconut Creek to manage all aspects of the Scholarship and Educational Grant process. In collaboration with the Executive Council and committee co-chairs, the Director establishes the application guidelines and develops the assessment criteria in accordance with the Club Bylaws. Committee members are appointed by the Director and the Club President and are notified of their specific roles after all applications have been collected. The committee is responsible for selecting three to five finalists to advance in the application process. A final judge, unaffiliated with The Women’s Club of Coconut Creek and with no personal connection to any student applicant, is appointed by the Club President for each scholarship category and is responsible for selecting the winner(s) on behalf of the membership body. 

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WHAT ARE GROUNDS FOR DISQUALIFICATION:

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• Providing false or AI generated information

• Having an address listed on the high school transcript that is located within Coconut Creek.

• Providing any self-identifying information within the essays including (but not limited to, name, address, social media handles, parent(s)/guardian(s) name, or photos).

• Submitting an essay on a topic unrelated to completing service work that benefitted members of the Coconut Creek Community

• Reaching out to a Scholarship Committee member in hopes of improving chances of selection. This also includes someone reaching out on the applicant's behalf.  

• Applying to more than one scholarship opportunity.

• Using a relative as a reference.

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APPLICATION PROCESS:

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• By Friday, March 13, 2026

  • ​Applicant submits the application form using the link above that says 'Apply Now'

    • Provides all necessary information in the textboxes

    • Submits two five-paragraph essays that demonstrates service work that benefits members of the Coconut Creek Community

    • Uploads official high school transcript to verify unweighted grade point average, recorded service hours, and city of residency

    • Uploads SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test), ACT (American College Test), and/or CLT (Classic Learning Test) Scores Recorded

    • Signs the application to certify that all the information provided is true and accurate, confirm that artificial intelligence was not used in any capacity to create my submission material, and to confirm the understanding that if any part of the application is found to be inaccurate or in violation of the scholarship rules, it will be disqualified from the competition.

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• By Friday, April 10, 2026

  • ​The Scholarship Committees for each category will meet with their respective members to select three to five applicants to advance as finalists in the application process.

  • The application materials of the selected finalists will be provided to the final judges for each scholarship category, who will determine the competition winners.

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• By Friday, May 1, 2026

  • The final judges for each scholarship category will have determine their competition winners.

  • Winners will be notified and invited to attend the Scholarship and Educational Grants Awards Ceremony on Monday, May 11, 2026

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• Monday, May 11, 2026, at 6:30pm. Doors will open at 6:00pm.

  • Scholarship and Educational Grants Awards Ceremony will take place at the Rowe Activity Center at Donaldson Park​

    • Donaldson Park (900 NW 43 Avenue, Coconut Creek, FL 33066)​

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• By August 2026

  • Scholarship award money will be distributed to the college, university, or vocational school selected by the recipient(s). ​

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HOW TO KNOW MY INFORMATION IS SAFE:

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Please note that the information submitted will be held in confidence by the Director of Scholarship, Club President, and Contest's Final Judge. Personal information will be redacted from the entire Scholarship Committee and the full membership of The Women's Club of Coconut Creek. 

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WHO TO CONTACT WITH QUESTIONS:

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​If you have any questions or would like a member of the Scholarship Committee visit your institution for a presentation, reach out to our Director of Scholarship Barbara McDermott at scholarships@womensclubcoconutcreek.com. 

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

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• What is the Women’s Club of Coconut Creek Scholarship?
  It is a scholarship program that provides financial support to graduating high school seniors who reside in Coconut Creek and are pursuing college or vocational education​

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• Who funds these scholarships?
  The scholarships are funded by money raised by The Women’s Club of Coconut Creek through its charitable and community activities.

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• How many scholarships are awarded each year?
  The number and amounts may vary each year depending on available funds and Executive Council decisions with the Director.

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• Who is eligible to apply?
  Any local high school senior of any gender in the graduating class who resides in Coconut Creek is eligible to apply, regardless of whether they attend a public, private, charter, or homeschool program.

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• Do I have to attend high school in Coconut Creek to qualify?
  No. Your school may be outside Coconut Creek, but you must reside in Coconut Creek to be eligible.

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• How is residency verified?
  Residency is confirmed using the address listed on the applicant’s official high school transcript.​

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• Can I apply for more than one scholarship?
  Applicants may apply to only one scholarship offering or category.

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• What should I focus my essays on?
  We suggest highlighting the service and contributions you've conducted in the city for the betterment of the Coconut Creek community and what you plan to do if you win this award.

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• Who reviews my application?
  The Scholarship Committee reviews all eligible applications and selects finalists. A final judge, who is independent of the Club and student applicants, then selects the recipient(s) on behalf of the membership.

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• How are recipients selected?
  Selections are based on a composite of academic achievement and community activities; however, greatest emphasis will be placed on the essays highlighting the service and contributions you've conducted in the city for the betterment of the Coconut Creek community and what you plan to do if you win this award.

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• Will the reference I list be contact?
   Yes. If you advance to the finalist phase, the reference you list may be contacted. Consider choosing a reference who knows the service work you describe in your essay and can speak in detail about your involvement in the Coconut Creek community. This might be a teacher, coach, advisor, peer, or another community leader who is not affiliated with The Women’s Club of Coconut Creek. Do not list a family member as your reference.

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• Is my application information kept confidential?
  Yes. All information submitted is kept in confidence by the Scholarship Director and Club President. Only unredacted application portfolios of finalists will be shared with the judge making the selection of winner(s).

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• Who should I contact with questions?
  The Director of Scholarship at scholarships@womensclubcoconutcreek.com. 

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