Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a critical step for families to complete in order for their student to be considered for federal, state and institutional financial aid.
College Goal Sunday is a free session open to all Collier County families in which you can get assistance from trained volunteers and financial aid professionals and complete your FAFSA online.
The Suncoast Credit Union announces its partnership with the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations, and Champions For Learning, the local education foundation, to offer five $2,000 scholarship awards to deserving 
high school seniors (graduating 2016) in Collier County public, private and home schools.
The job of molding the minds of our future leaders is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. Teachers have risen to the occasion and so many have put great ideas into practice to make a difference for our students.
To many Snow White, Cinderella, and a lawyer wouldn’t fall under the same category. But to Hailie Dixon, who grew up in a single mother household, receiving a college degree was something right out of a fairy tale; 
something that she could only dream of. This was until she joined Champions For Learning’s Take Stock in Children mentoring and scholarship program.
Champions For Learning, Collier County’s education foundation, has been ranked 21st in the nation’s only annual study of K-12 education foundations, “Stepping Up: The Top K-12 Education Foundations in the Nation”.
“As a mentor, Jack always showed up. He was always supportive. He made me feel like he actually cared,” says Jerry, a 2015 Take Stock in Children graduate. “He’s honestly impacted my life so much in such a short amount of time. We’ve only known each other for two years and I feel like he’s changed my whole life.”
On November 12th, Mrs. Lavern Gaynor was recognized as the Outstanding Philanthropist for 2015 by the Everglades Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals as part of the annual National Philanthropy Day celebration. She was joined by her family, friends, many community members and two of the Take Stock in Children graduates that she helped to support, Nasha Etienne a student at FGCU and Missa Desir a student at FSW.
On October 6, 2015, Champions For Learning awarded $54,450 in Connect With A Classroom grants to area teachers. Volunteers, supporters, and board members of Champions For Learning, surprised local teachers when they delivered
120 grants to 39 Collier County schools, to support creative and innovative experiences for students.
Champions For Learning is pleased to announce Night of Champions honoree, J. Richard “Dick” Munro, will also be the recipient of the 2015-2016 Heart of the Apple. Dick will be honored for the significant impact he 
has made on the learning environment for students in Collier County.
If you’re a teacher who wants to share your great idea and work with your community, apply for the Golden Apple today! All eligible teachers can apply to receive a Golden Apple and a $5,000 grant, from the Suncoast Credit 
Union Foundation, to go toward expanding, adapting and/or building on their great ideas. Click here to download the application and selection process. The deadline to apply is October 5, 2015.
Champions For Learning™, The Education Foundation of Collier County, was founded in 1990 by the community and is a 501 (c)(3) organization that creates life-changing learning experiences for every student.
3606 Enterprise Ave, Suite 150
Naples, Florida 34104
(239) 643-4755
(239) 643-4799
info@championsforlearning.org
