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Current high school seniors can now apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to help provide financial assistance for attending college. However, in the wake of a devastating hurricane, applying for FAFSA may be more difficult for some students, especially for those who may have lost documents needed during the storm. Champions For Learning is committed to ensuring Collier County students have the resources necessary to apply for and receive financial aid.

A completed FAFSA form opens the door for need and merit aid to be award from the Federal, State, and Institutional level. In fact, over 90% of all private scholarships require the FAFSA to be completed. That is why Champions For Learning will be hosting a FAFSA Completion Event, Saturday, October 22^nd from 9am to 12pm at Lorenzo Walker Technical High. There, trained staff and volunteers will be available to assist students and parents in completing their online FAFSA form. Florida SouthWestern State College, Florida Gulf Coast University, and Lorenzo Walker Technical College admissions will be in attendance providing admission application waivers along with some providing instant admission and decisions. The Collier Community Foundation will also be on site sharing scholarship opportunities.

“FAFSA should be included in the first steps in planning for education after high school. The great thing is, you don’t even have to apply or have been accepted into college yet. Students who complete the FAFSA may qualify for aid to be used at a technical college, state college or university,” said Jessica Manchette, Chief Programs Officer, Champions For Learning. “Aid from completing the FAFSA opens the door for not only a high-quality degree or credential, but also the potential for a career in a in-demand industry in our community. The sooner students apply, the more funding is available. Champions For Learning is dedicated to helping students and families across southwest Florida complete this milestone as their first step into post-high school education.”

Applying for FAFSA requires certain documents such as a social security number (student only), previously filed tax returns (for 2021). For students who lost everything in Hurricane Ian, providing these documents could be extremely difficult. Champions For Learning has gathered resources on how to obtain these documents as well as how the storm may have impacted the student’s financial situation if the student is now homeless or if the student is receiving special aid related to Hurricane Ian. Resources can be found here. 

As Collier County recovers from the impacts of Hurricane Ian, there are some students within our county facing a difficult reality. With some losing everything they own in the storm, students are returning to school with no supplies. In response, the community donated enough school supplies and backpacks for around 200 students.

Leaning on the community for support during these trying times, our community did what they do best and supported our students. Within 72 hours, our community responded with more supplies than Champions For Learning thought possible during the wake of a disaster.

St. Monica’s Episcopal Church offered their space for the backpacks and supplies to be dropped off and then packed. Sunday afternoon, community member, alumni and staff of Champions For Learning gathered to stuff the nearly 200 backpacks with school supplies. Within an hour, all the backpacks were ready to be delivered to Collier County students.

The donation of supplies does not stop there! Fenstersheib Law Group, a law firm in Hallandale, Florida, more than 100 miles away, learned of the need of school supplies in our community. The law firm is now donating 400 backpacks already filled with school supplies. With the help from our Collier County community and Fenstersheib Law Group, 600 students will be provided with a backpack full of school supplies.

Supplies that are not used within Collier County will be donated to students in Lee County, the community most significantly impacted by Hurricane Ian.

The outpouring of support from our community at a time like this is a testament to the amazing people within Collier County who truly are 100% in support of student success.

Collier County Public Schools are stepping up to help during these uncertain times. Below is a list of schools that are collecting supplies and schools who are offering help. Check to see what your school is doing!
If your school is collecting supplies, make sure you take your donations to that school.

Elementary Schools

Avalon Elementary: Distributing basic supplies. Food, water, paper towels, toilet paper. Done on 10/2 and 10/3.

Corkscrew Elementary: Collected items on 10/4 to support those in need in our community.

Lake Park Elementary: If you are part of the Lake Park family and in need of supplies, fill out a form by clicking the following link. bit.ly/LPEIan22

Manatee Elementary: Collecting toiletries, cleaning products, grocery/gas gift cards and non-perishable foods.

Naples Park Elementary: Collected items on 10/4 to give to our staff and families in need. Looking for: Gift cards, Large plastic bins with covers, Cleaning supplies, Paper towels, All Hygiene items, Diapers, Sheets, Towels, and Paper supplies. Thanks!

Pelican Marsh Elementary: Collected donations on 10/4 for local families in need.

Pinecrest Elementary: Collecting toiletries, cleaning products, grocery/gas gift cards and non-perishable foods.

Poinciana Elementary: Poinciana Pelican Families! We are here to help! Please fill out the form below with your needs. https://forms.office.com/r/yPEX3jYXqd

Sea Gate Elementary: Seahorse families, we are here to support you!  Please fill out the form below with your needs! forms.office.com/r/cH4eVwepKM

Shadowlawn Elementary: An Amazon Wishlist has been created for items needed: https://amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/36XO6Q0S22CBZ?ref_=wl_share

Tommie Barfield Elementary: Collected items on 10/4.

Veterans Memorial Elementary: If your family is in need of anything please email Ms. Vieira directly with the specific need(s), vieiraje@collierschools.com. We understand many of you may not know what you need just yet as you are in the process of post-hurricane clean up but as you do please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly! This information for both student families and staff families will remain anonymous with only administration knowing whom donations are needed for. Please know your VME family is here to support you if you are in need of anything!

Middle Schools

Cypress Palm Middle: Collected supplies on 10/4. Asking for non-perishable food, water, clothing, shoes, toilet paper, toiletries, cleaning products, garbage bags, towels.

East Naples: Donate or Pick Up: Thursday and Friday from 9am til 4pm!

Manatee Middle: Stated on Twitter, “Please let us know what you need”.

Oakridge Middle: Collecting items to distribute to local schools with the greatest needs. Collected items on 10/4. Asking for bread, peanut butter, jelly, Ramen Noodles, Pasta, rice, pinto beans, fresh fruit, dry milk, water, Gatorade, juice, canned goods, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and baby items.

Pine Ridge Middle: Taking a collection of clothes, toiletries, shoes, undergarments, towels and diapers! Please help by dropping off items to our MPR on 10/5 and 10/6 from 8 am-11am.

High Schools

Barron Collier High: Taking donations Wednesday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. They are looking for clothing, blankets, non-perishable food and cleaning supplies. If you are in need of supplies, please email dawesro@collierschools.com  

If you do not see your school on the list above, that means we do not have any information if they are collecting or distributing supplies. Please reach out to us at info@championsforlearning.com to add what your school is doing to help!