The deadline is approaching for local students to apply for scholarship opportunities via a program now in its fourth decade.

Applications for the Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship, which started in 1982 and has distributed more than $700,000 to 600-plus students, is Jan. 20.

The Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship is awarded to students who are a resident of Cape Coral attending any secondary school or homeschool. Awards are not based on financial need or GPA alone, but the full spectrum of application questions. Leadership, community involvement and service are important factors too.

“It is such a pleasure to have an impact on the future of our community through our students,” said Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship Fund President Joanne Hayden. “While reading the applications we get a glimpse of the interest and passion in each person. We have a lot to look forward to through them.”

As for how the application process works, the fund has partnered with Collaboratory for the application and preliminary screening process. They have volunteers with years of experience reviewing applications and that help find students who qualify. Finalists are forwarded to the CCMSF team for review and final selection. The Coviello family is also involved in the selection of the Mayor Joe Coviello Memorial Scholarship award.

“We like to see not only academic interest but an overall involvement in family and community,” Hayden said. “One of the questions asks them to identify an issue in our city and possible solutions. There is a lot of insight for many of these students.”

Applications are currently submitted and reviewed through Collaboratory. Hayden said they usually receive about 20-25 applications to award four-year college scholarships to 10 students. They also support Cape Coral students attending technical school by providing two-year scholarships to Cape Coral Technical College, Fort Myers Technical College, and Southwest Florida Public Service Academy.

Recipients are named each year at an awards dinner. This year’s event will take place May 9 at Palmetto Pine Country Club. The public is invited to attend. The Mayor’s Scholarship Fund is possible largely due to community sponsors.

For more information and to apply, visit the program’s website.