Polk State College Foundation has received a $110,000 gift to establish the Deputy David Michael Goddard Legacy Scholarship, an endowed fund that will support students pursuing careers in law enforcement and criminal justice while honoring the life and service of a fallen Polk County deputy. The scholarship, created by donor Charles “Chuck” Goddard, commemorates his […]
The Polk State College Foundation’s June 1–15 scholarship application period for fall 2026 funding will open soon. This is a secondary application window with limited scholarship availability, and students are strongly encouraged to prepare now and submit their application once the period opens on June 1. Applications will close June 15. Students who were not
Scholarships available during June 2026 application period Read More »
“If you want to touch the future, touch a life.” Returning to her alma mater as Polk State College’s April 2026 Distinguished Alumnus, Debbie Harsh stood before graduates not simply as a retired banking executive, but as someone who had lived the kind of life she now urged them to build. Harsh’s story is, in
Distinguished Alum Debbie Harsh shares message of resilience at Polk State commencement Read More »
Local businesswoman and Polk State alum leaves a legacy that will ensure student success for years to come The Polk State College Foundation has received a $115,000 legacy gift from the Cynthia A. Price Revocable Trust to support students pursuing an associate degree at Polk State College. Steve Warner, Vice President of Resource Development and
What began as a story of perseverance and faith ended with an unexpected gift that brought an audience to its feet. During Polk State College Foundation’s annual A Night of Legacy, Respiratory Care student Teshara Johnson‑Bonilla returned to the stage believing she was finished speaking, only to learn she had been awarded a scholarship to continue her education.
Scholarship surprise crowns Polk State student’s journey at A Night of Legacy Read More »
The Polk State College Foundation has extended the application period for scholarships for the 2026-2027 Academic Year. Originally set to close on February 28, the new deadline is now March 7. The Foundation awards approximately $1.2 million in scholarships annually. Students can visit polk.academicworks.com to create or update their scholarship account. There, they can also find additional
Application Deadline Extended for 2026-2027 Scholarships Read More »
New Future Eagle Award Scholarship The Polk State College Foundation has introduced the Future Eagle Award, a transformative new scholarship that will cover a full year of tuition and books for one graduating senior from every public, private and charter high school in Polk County. This initiative represents an estimated $70,000 annual investment in local
In an evening more than four decades in the making, the Polk State College Foundation brought together generations of its Distinguished Alumni for the first time at a special dinner held inside Winter Haven Fine Arts (WFA). The event, hosted by the Foundation and the Alumni Association, marked a historic moment for Polk State College
Distinguished Alumni gather for first‑ever Polk State celebration Read More »
The Polk State College Foundation’s application for scholarships for the 2026-2027 Academic Year is now open through February 28. The Foundation awards approximately $1.2 million in scholarships annually. Students can visit polk.academicworks.com to create or update their scholarship account. Additional information about available scholarships and instructions to complete the scholarship application process will be posted on the
Apply for Polk State Foundation scholarships February 1 – 28 Read More »
Criminal Justice student ShiAnn Griffin stood before a crowd of alumni at the Polk State College Foundation’s inaugural Distinguished Alumni Dinner on Thursday evening to share her story, defined by resilience, rediscovery and a growing commitment to serving her community. Griffin, a mother of two, began her time at Polk State pursuing an Associate in
Polk State student and mother of two awarded Alumni Association scholarship Read More »