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Collaboratory outlines 150+ scholarships for Cape Coral students; deadline Jan. 14, 2026
Summary
Crystal Maldonado of the Collaboratory told the Cape Coral Youth Council about a common application for more than 150 scholarships across five counties, including the Cape Coral Mayor's scholarships; applicants must submit transcripts, one letter of recommendation and the 2026–27 FAFSA summary. Deadline: Jan. 14, 2026, 11 p.m.
Crystal Maldonado, scholarship coordinator at the Collaboratory, told the Cape Coral Youth Council on Nov. 14 that students across five counties can apply through a single platform for more than 150 scholarship opportunities.
"You do need to do the common application," Maldonado said, explaining students must create an account on the Kaleidoscope platform, submit unofficial or official high-school transcripts (if a high-school applicant), provide one letter of recommendation and include the 2026–27 FAFSA submission summary. "We do not want that FAFSA to be a barrier for students to apply for scholarships," she said, and offered an email, scholarships@collaboratory.org, for applicants who need help because they are ineligible to complete FAFSA.
Maldonado said the application is open now and will close on Jan. 14, 2026, at 11 p.m. She cautioned applicants to complete any additional supplemental items for qualified programs — for example, the Cape Coral Mayor's scholarships require an extra essay response — before submitting, because incomplete materials will not be considered.
On details the Collaboratory provided: the Cape Coral Mayor's scholarship includes ten awards of $4,000 each (structured as up to $1,000 per year for up to four years), and there is a separate Mayor's nursing scholarship (listed as $5,000 total) that may be awarded to a single eligible student. Maldonado said students applying to multiple eligible scholarships may only receive one Cape Coral Mayor-funded award if selected.
Maldonado said applicants will be notified via email in late April or early May. She encouraged students and advisors to review the Collaboratory website (collaboratory.org) and the Kaleidoscope application early to ensure all supplemental items are complete.
The Council thanked Maldonado and directed students with questions to follow up with the youth-council staff liaison.
