Graduates of Lakewood Ranch High School and every other Manatee County school could attend State College of Florida tuition-free starting fall 2027, after the county committed $7.5 million to a new scholarship fund.

The Board of County Commissioners approved the Suncoast Prosper Scholarship Fund on Tuesday, Aug. 25, creating a three-year partnership with SCF that will provide last-dollar financial assistance to an estimated 1,425 students, according to Pulse of Manatee. "Last-dollar" means the scholarship covers whatever tuition and required fees remain after federal grants and other scholarships are applied.

SCF operates a campus in Lakewood Ranch, along with locations in Bradenton and Venice.

Graduates from the classes of 2027 and 2028 at Manatee County public, charter, alternative and private schools, along with home-education programs, are eligible if they reside in the county and meet program requirements. The scholarship applies to associate degrees and certificate programs.

"This is an investment in our students and in the future of Manatee County," BOCC Chair Tal Siddique said at the Aug. 25 meeting. "This program supports the county's high-demand industries by connecting technical education and skills development with clear pathways to registered apprenticeships and good-paying careers … strengthening the local talent pipeline and aligning training with real workforce needs."

Beyond tuition, SCF will provide scholarship recipients with college and career advising, financial-aid assistance and other student support services. The partnership aims to connect technical training with registered apprenticeships in the county's high-demand industries.

The vote follows a broader push to get more Manatee County seniors into higher education. A July 2026 Manatee Community Foundation report noted that FAFSA completion among county seniors rose 6.6% during the 2025-26 school year. The foundation observed that "a few thousand dollars, or sometimes even a few hundred, can determine whether a student continues their education."

The BOCC had voted unanimously at an earlier meeting this year to pursue the Suncoast Prosper concept, according to the foundation's July report. The exact vote count on the final Aug. 25 approval was not published in available records.

No application deadline has been announced. Residents can contact SCF or visit mymanatee.org for updates on enrollment timelines and eligibility details.