Pinellas County College Fund has distributed $1.7 million in scholarships; deadline to apply is June 12
- Isis Climes
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
The College Fund of Pinellas County celebrates 60 years of service as a student financial support pillar to the Pinellas County community. The non-profit has awarded nearly 1,000 scholars over $1.7 million in grant dollars toward their collegiate education throughout its 60-year run, and its upcoming deadline to apply for the 2026 cycle is next Friday, June 12, 2026, at 11:59 PM (EST).
The College Fund is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization run entirely by volunteers since its inception in 1965. Founder Phyllis Busansky tutored African American students at segregated Pinellas High School a year before it was founded. Through her efforts and shared vision, several citizens volunteered their time with Busansky to tutor students and request funding to supplement scholarships for educational purposes.
“We raise money in order to help financially disadvantaged Pinellas County residents who have excellent scholastic potential, but insufficient funds to obtain a bachelor’s degree and thereby improve themselves, their family’s living standard, and their role in the community,” said board member Dave Rogers.
Rogers is a past recipient of the College Fund scholarship from 2016 through 2019, and joined the board of directors in January 2020.
Applicants may be new high school grads, individuals who dropped out and are re-starting college, or adults who are first-time college students. Students receive the grants throughout their college education or until graduation (whichever comes first), rather than a one-time distribution. The checks are written to the students to help meet expenses rather than going directly to the college or university. Students may reapply if they regain eligibility.
The non-profit organization has continued to provide multi-year scholarships of $1,200 per year, up to 4 years, to college students from Pinellas County. The number of recipients varies each year; in 2025, the organization awarded 29 scholarships to Pinellas County students. Currently, the scholarship is supporting 72 students.
A small group of the Board of Directors (15 currently, with 2 new prospects) comprises the volunteer-based organization. The Board not only covers the administrative costs but also provides an informal mentoring program for students.
Board President Sandra Campbell hopes the scholarships will support students in heavy financial circumstances, such as homelessness and/or poverty, while simultaneously providing new opportunities to “enhance their chances of lifelong success.
“The gap we attempt to address is continuing support of Pinellas County students seeking a college education who are substantially financially challenged via college scholarships and mentoring,” said Campbell.
Last year’s applications showed 64.8% were female and 35.2% were male. The top three schools represented for 2025's applicants were as follows:
Boca Ciega High School — 13.95%
Gibbs High School — 13.95%
Lakewood High School — 9.30%.
Campbell shared that through the financial support of the scholarship, she hopes to see students experience less poverty, homelessness, hunger, and, “not to mention better health and increased family stability” in their future.
This year, the College Fund has set even higher goals to grow its scholarship pot. The fundraising goal sits at $250,000 (more than twice any previous budget) and, if achieved, would increase the number of education-based grant recipients throughout the county.
Applications for the scholarship are open until next Friday, June 12, 2026, 11:59 PM EST.
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