2014 Scholarships

Our 2013 scholarship cycle is closed. Check out our current scholars to see some of the amazing young women who are helped by our scholarship program!

Aqua Scholarship 2013 Press Release

“I am the first person to graduate with a bachelors on both sides of my family, I’ll also be the first to get my masters. My family has never understood the financial impact of that, or helped me, so receiving not only financial help but the sense of community is such a gift. Thank you.” – an Aqua Scholar.

Promoting future leaders of the South Florida Community is a cornerstone of Aqua Foundation for Women’s mission, which is accomplished by awarding scholarships to benefit graduating high school, college, and graduate students who are active in our community.

This year, thanks in part to the generosity of private donors and the support of Wells Fargo, who donated $10,000 to the scholarship program, we were able to award 12 scholarships, including two new scholarships: one for LBT Latinas and one for LBT women with physical disabilities. These scholarships were awarded to promising young women who were selected due to their outstanding academics, consistent commitment to the community, and their leadership potential. Our scholars this year are Caridad Tabares (a Latina Scholarship recipient), Bridget Pelaez (a Wells Fargo scholarship recipient), Carolyn Napp, Vanessa Hernandez, Mageda Abdulhadi, Emerald N., Peggy Bates (a physical disabilities scholarship recipient), Mandi Hawke, Yanire Chow (a Wells Fargo scholarship recipient), Catherine Armuelles, Kimberly Carias, and Lindsey Salay.

The women awarded AFW scholarships are pursuing a variety of disciplines including Neurobiology, information technology, women’s studies, psychology, politics, and therapy, which positions them to contribute to the LBT community in unique ways. Scholarships were $5,000 a piece, with a total of $60,000 granted by AFW.

Aqua Foundation believes that its scholarship program enables LBT women to grow personally and professionally by reducing their financial burden and by providing them with a mentor for guidance and support as part of our AFW Mentoring Program. Each year Aqua Foundation’s scholars and mentors tell them how deeply pivotal mentoring is to the scholar’s experience, how crucial it is for them to have positive LBT role-models. One scholar regards the program as “a beautiful way to feel connected to other LBT women, to feel part of a community.”

AFW looks forward to continuing to support LBT women in the community through this scholarship fund.

Quotes from Scholars on the Impact of the Program

“The Aqua Foundation Scholarship allows me to continue to afford my legal education, and frees me to spend more time being an advocate, a mentor, and a voice, not only for myself but for all that are members of the LGBT community.”
-Charrise Alexander (2012-2013)

“I am extremely excited to become more involved with Aqua Foundation for Women, and I can’t wait to meet my mentor. I’ve been waiting to give back to the LBT community and to be seen as a leader, and this is such an honor.”
- Bridget Pelaez (2011-2014)

“Aqua Foundation has given me the opportunity to succeed in college which will, in turn, prepare me to become an activist for the LGBTQ community. Thank you, Aqua!”
- Mageda Abdulhad (2010-2014)

Contact Information

For more information about the scholarship program’s requirements, please visit our information page.

You may also contact the Program Manager via email or phone (305.576.2782) for more information or if you have any questions about the program.