Scholars Program

The Scholars Program provides assistance and enrichment opportunities for students who aspire to excel academically, develop leadership skills, exhibit citizenship, and serve their community and school.

Based on the principles of academic excellence, leadership, service, and citizenship, the Scholars Program is an honor society for 4^th-16^th grade students with a goal of developing a peer culture of success among its members. Activities focus on students who by virtue of their environment are at a disadvantage for achieving academic success when compared to the population at large and who are not challenged to achieve performance excellence through other programs or co-curricular activities. The FGCU Scholars Program, whose motto is “Shaping the Minds of the Future,” is a collaboration between the Office of Outreach Programs at Florida Gulf Coast University and schools and/or community organizations in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee counties.

Announcements/ Upcoming Dates

If you are interested in completing an application for the College Reach Out Program (CROP) or the Scholars Program, please follow these steps:

Check the eligibility criteria listed on this website
Determine if you attend one of the program schools or agencies (list on this website)
Print off the application and complete ALL parts
Have parent or guardian sign and date the application
Submit completed application and school transcript to the CROP or Scholars coordinator at your school or agency (If unsure of who that contact is, submit your application to the guidance counselor at your school.)
You will be contacted by the email or phone number you list on your application, if we need further information.

To access the application please click on this HYPERLINK.

Para accesar la aplicación favor de hacer clic AQUI.

Congratulations Class of 2020

Coordinators and Advisors - If our students have done anything you would like to share with others, please let Carolyn Greene know so that she can publish it in the monthly newsletter.

History of the Program
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Scholars Chapters currently exist in elementary, middle, high schools, and select community centers in the following counties: Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades. The program is free of charge to students.

The Scholars Program, the brainchild of then-Fort Myers High School junior Christian Duffus, began in 1989 as a way to promote and reward academic achievement among minority students. With support from the principal, and the dedication of its first faculty advisor, Alberta Allen, the program was launched.

The Scholars Program has since expanded to embrace all students at elementary (beginning in 4th grade), middle, and high school levels who embrace the Scholars’ Program philosophy and ideals of academic excellence, leadership, service and citizenship.

Learn about starting a Chapter
Eligibility
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To be eligible for membership in the Scholars Program, students must
- Demonstrate good character and behavior
- Attain and maintain a GPA of 2.8 or higher
Accommodations Statement
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Persons with disabilities should arrange at least five days in advance for reasonable accommodations before attending an event.

Contact:
Regular Hours 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.- 239-590-7834;
Other Hours - 239-590-1900
Participating Schools & Centers
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Elementary
- Manatee
- Pinecrest
- Sunshine
Middle Agencies
- Caloosa
- Challenger
- Cypress Lake
- Gulf
- Labelle
- Moore Haven Jr.
- Three Oaks
- West Glades
Agencies
- Charleston Park
- STARS Complex (Fort Myers)
High
- Clewiston
- Cypress Lake
- Fort Myers
- Gateway
- Golden Gate
- Ida S. Baker
- Island Coast
- Labelle
- Moore Haven Sr.
- Palmetto Ridge
- South Fort Myers
Community Organizations
- Quality Life Center
School District Websites

Lee County- School District of Lee County

Collier County- School District of Collier County

Charlotte County- Charlotte County Public Schools

Glades County - Glades County School District

Hendry County- Hendry County School District

Services

College for a Day
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Scholars Chapter participants are given a comprehensive tour of the campus and facilities of Florida Gulf Coast University; participate in classroom presentations by professors and speakers from the university or local community; master college level tasks such as the syllabus; take classroom, laboratory and environmental tours; and participate in an “eat & greet” with staff and university students in the campus dining hall.
Scholars Program Induction Ceremonies
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New students who are accepted for membership in the Scholars Program are inducted into their public school’s Scholars Chapter in an Induction Ceremony. Students receive honorary pins, certificates and a letter from the FGCU President that will serve as their official induction memorabilia. This creates a sense of unity and encourages leadership and service to their school and community. Scholar’s officers are elected and serve roles in the Induction Ceremony. Parents and community members are invited to attend.
Summer Program Experience
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The Office of Outreach Programs has developed a partnership between the Scholars Program and the state funded College Reach-Out Program to bring high school and middle school students to the University campus for summer school experiences. Some participants have an opportunity to participate in the Close Up Washington D.C. experience. Other participants attend summer program educational activities on the Florida Gulf Coast University campus.
Annual Parent-Student Workshops
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Workshops on financial aid and the college admissions process are offered both in the local communities and at FGCU. Special tours and workshops in Creole and Spanish are also offered at FGCU. The culminating activity of the year is the Annual Parent-Student Workshop which celebrates the achievements of individual members as well as sponsors and professional staff members. The Scholars seniors receive “Kente Scarves” to wear at their high school graduation.
Additional Activities
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Leadership Retreats and Brain Bowl Competitions on the FGCU Campus. The Scholars’ Program Coordinator and Assistant Director of Outreach Programs from FGCU visit school chapters throughout the year to support the school Advisors in their efforts to recruit, retain, and encourage Scholars members.

We’re here to answer your questions.

TRiO and Outreach Programs

McTarnaghan Hall, Room 202
10501 FGCU Boulevard South
Fort Myers, Florida 33965

(239) 590-7834

(239) 590-7947 (Fax)