Scholarships

Clermont High School existed for many years and ultimately became a part of South Lake High School in 1993 when it was consolidated with Groveland High School. The Clermont High School Alumni have an active association and meet annually for their reunion. The alumni organization started a scholarship that recognizes outstanding high school seniors. If you would like to donate to this scholarship fund click here. 

To qualify for this scholarship, the student must have a family member who attended Clermont High School. The student may reside anywhere in the US.

This scholarship may be used at any accredited vocational-technical school, community college, 4-year college or university.

Up to 5 $2000 awards are available for the 2025-2026 application process

Initial Eligibility Requirements:

• • GPA 2.5+
  • Family member of a Clermont High School alumnus
  • Studying in the US
  • Must be a graduating high school senior at any high school or homeschool

Donate to the Clermont High School Alumni Scholarship.

The Community Foundation of South Lake County has been an active part of impacting the lives of South Lake residents for 30 years. Students planning to attend or currently attending Lake-Sumter State College may apply for this scholarship. This scholarship gives preference to non-traditional students. Non-traditional students are those that are starting school later in life, returning to school after a hiatus, and those that are not currently enrolled in high school. Award amounts vary based on enrollment status up to $1000 per school year. Recipients may re-apply for future scholarship cycles. 

Eligibility Requirements:

• Financial Need
• Reside in South Lake County
• High School Diploma or GED
• Attending Lake-Sumter State College

Other considerations: 

• Work history 
• Community Involvement
• Volunteer work

Donate to the Community Foundation of South Lake County Scholarship Fund. Please type SCHOLARSHIP in the additional notes section. 

Don Wickham was dedicated to community health and welfare and brought quality healthcare and health-related services to the community. He was also a founder of the Community Foundation of South Lake County. If you would like to donate to this scholarship to continue his and his wife's mission to creating better healthcare please click here.

This scholarship may be used at any accredited vocational-technical school, community college, 4-year college or university.

$1000 will be awarded

Initial Eligibility Requirements:

• • The applicant must reside in South Lake County.
  • This is a need-blind scholarship.
  • Pursuing a degree in Nursing, Health Care or similar field.

Donate to the Donald C. Wickham Memorial Scholarship. 

Emma Keown was a 2013 graduate of South Lake High School. As a senior she became a member of the South Lake swim team and was elected co-captain. Emma loved her experience on the team and it was one of the highlights of her time at South Lake High School. She went on to Lake Sumter State College and had just decided to major in psychology and criminal justice when her beautiful life was cut short. She was always a giving person and liked to help others, and her family decided to honor her spirit of giving with the establishment of this $1000 annual scholarship. Her family hopes that her name will live on in Clermont and at South Lake High School where she was so loved by her family and friends.

$1000 award

Initial Eligibility Requirements:

• • Must be graduating from South Lake High School
  • Participated in the Swim team or other athletics at South Lake High School
  • GPA 2.5+

Donate to the Emma Keown Memorial Scholarship.

Frank B. Farr, Jr. was a scholar and athlete at Groveland High School. The awardee of this scholarship is able to re-apply for up to three years if he or she continues to be enrolled as a full-time student and maintains a 2.5 unweighted GPA. This scholarship may be used at any accredited vocational-technical school, community college, 4-year college or university.

up to $4000 per student

Initial Eligibility Requirements:

• The applicant must have been a student at South Lake High School student or a family member of a Groveland High School Alumni.
• The applicant must have an unweighted GPA of 2.5 or above.

Donate to the Frank B. Farr Jr. Scholarship.

Judith “Judy” Hovis brightened the corridors at then South Lake Memorial Hospital where she served many years as a respected nurse, supervisor, community member and role model. Her daughter Denise started this scholarship in her memory to help others that are aiming to get their nursing degree while being a parent.

Applications for this scholarship can be completed through the Lake-Sumter State College scholarship application page. 

Donate to the Judith Hovis Nursing Scholarship. 

The scholarship was established to honor a graduating senior who attends South Lake High School. Julian and Cherry Ann Rowe were very involved in their community so the scholarship recipient should be invested with the community. A $1000 scholarship is awarded annually and can be renewed for up to three years based on GPA and good standing with their institution of choice.  

up to $4000 per student 

Initial Eligibility Requirements:

• • Must be a student of South Lake High School 
  • Maintain a 2.75 grade point average
  • Community/extracurricular involvement/volunteering activities

Donate to the Julian and Ruby Ann (Cherry) Rowe Scholarship. 

The Pig on the Pond, Inc. scholarship awards are made possible by revenue generated at the annual Pig on the Pond event. We are currently able to offer scholarships valued at up to $10,000 ($2,500 for up to 4 years) to students who reside in South Lake County regardless of where they attend high school.

Applications will be reviesed by the Pig on the Pond, Inc. Scholarship Committee, with final approval by the Community Foundation of South Lake Board of Directors. This scholarship may be used at any accredited vocational-technical school, community college, 4-year college or university.

up to $10,000 per student 

Initial Eligibility Requirements:

• • Scholarships are offered to students who reside in the South Lake Hospital tax district for at least one year, regardless of where they attend high school.
  • The applicant must have an unweighted GPA of at least 2.5
  • Need-based scholarship 

Donate to Project Scholars.

Shaw Buck coached many sports at Groveland High School for more than 40 years. This scholarship is established and funded in honor of Coach Shaw Buck by the Groveland High School Alumni Association. This scholarship may be used at any accredited vocational-technical school, community college, 4-year college or university.

Up to $2000 will be awarded per student. $1000 for year one and a renewal is offered for 1 following year if the student remains enrolled and in good academic standing.

Initial Eligibility Requirements:

• • The applicant must have been a student at South Lake High School at least one full school year.
  • The applicant must have participated in  athletics at SLHS.
  • The applicant must have a strong leadership and moral character of the type demonstrated by Shaw Buck.
  • The applicant must not have been awarded a full scholarship from an institution of higher learning.

Donate to the Shaw Buck Athletic Scholarship. 

The Southern Sisterhood Society, Inc. will fund scholarships for local South Lake County residents to attend vocational school, technical school, and approved certificate programs.

Applications are accepted from anyone 16 - 24 with a high school diploma or GED, as well as those who have been awarded in the past. Preferences are given to females and those who are motivated.

The scholarship can be used to cover tuition, fees, books, and equipment associated with coursework as designated by your school. Up to $1500 may be awarded based on program costs. This is a one-time scholarship; however, those that have been awarded are welcome to re-apply for future scholarship cycles.

Donate to the Southern Sisterhood Society, Inc. Scholarship.

The South Lake Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Fund proudly partners with the Community Foundation of South Lake to support the educational aspirations of our community’s future leaders. Rooted in the Chamber’s mission to “Create and maintain an environment where business and community will prosper,” this scholarship initiative reflects a deep commitment to investing in the next generation of professionals, entrepreneurs, and community members. By empowering students through access to higher education, we aim to create a knowledgeable workforce that will continue to drive the economic and social growth of the South Lake region.

There are no applications are accepted for this scholarship. Awardees are nominated through their school, this includes the Ray Goodgame Outstanding Leader Award. 

Donate to the South Lake Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Fund.

Each year, multiple scholarships may be awarded to Lake and Sumter County High School seniors who plan to attend technical school or join an apprenticeship program and have participated in hands-on programs in fields such as: automotive, CNC, HVAC, Construction, welding, roofing, home design, plumbing, framing, etc. while in High School. 

Recommendations from school staff are necessary to qualify for this scholarship.

This scholarship intends to cover the full cost of the program to completion. Final amount is determined in conjunction with the school or apprenticeship of choice. If the program has more than one payment period, the student will need to show they are in good standing and attending classes regularly.  

Mr. Frederick Detar's philosophy of Education, when asked from a teacher's perspective: "Assess the needs and values of each individual student in class, while seeing past their problems and conflicts to help determine their future goals into adulthood."

Donate to The Frederick W Detar Trust Scholarship.