Take Stock In Children

Scholarships + Mentors = Hope
An Investment in Keeping Students' Dreams Alive

Take Stock In Children (TSIC) is an incentive scholarship and mentoring program administered locally through the Alachua County Public Schools Foundation, Inc since 1986.

Upon entering the program in 7th grade, financially eligible students sign a contract to remain drug- and crime free, maintain good grades and stay out of trouble with the incentive of a college scholarship, the guidance of a caring adult mentor and long-term program support.

TSIC is a statewide strategy for overcoming child poverty and academic failure by providing hope for a better future and help to turn dreams into reality. Every county has a Take Stock In Children program with widespread support from businesses and individuals.

• Currently, there are 116 Take Stock Scholars in Alachua County. They attend every Alachua County Public Middle and High School. Each year, we strive to add another 20 or more Take Stock Scholars to our program.
• In Alachua County, 123 of our Take Stock In Children Scholars have graduated high school and are attending or have graduated from college.
• Out of the 248 students selected to become Alachua County Take Stock Scholars since 1996, only 31 have been removed from the program because of Contract Violations.
• Take Stock Scholars receive higher scores on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test than the statewide average and most increase their grade-point averages while in the program.
• 68% of the Take Stock Scholars statewide begin their post-secondary education within six months of graduation, compared to only 57% of all Florida high school graduates.

How To Become A Sponsor

Scholarship Sponsors come from all facets of our community – individuals, businesses and civic organizations. They all have in common the desire to improve the future standard of living for deserving Alachua County students and they enjoy knowing they are motivating students to live up to their full academic potential and be productive citizens.

As a scholarship sponsor, you…

• contribute to a local child’s scholarship fund.
• receive student photograph and biography.
• receive an annual update on the program's process.
• have the opportunity to be a child’s mentor.
• know that 100% of your contribution will be used for a child’s scholarship fund, case management and program support and –

Your tax-deductible contribution will be matched by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation to provide a college scholarship at current tuition rates!

MAKE ME A SPONSOR! ...I want to sponsor an Alachua County Child.

• $7,500 to be an exclusive sponsor of a student’s scholarship.
• $5,000 to co-sponsor a student’s scholarship.
• $2,500 to partially sponsor a student scholarship.

How To Become A Mentor

Mentors are a critical component to the success of the Take Stock In Children program. Students are matched with a volunteer adult mentor to guide them throughout their middle and high school years as they work toward earning their scholarship. Mentors serve as positive role-models, advocates, coaches and friends. They receive the unique reward of witnessing their scholars realize their long-term goal and many end up as becoming friends for life!

As a Take Stock Mentor, you...

• meet weekly with your scholar at their school.
• become a role-model, friend and advocate for your student.
• have an opportunity to help a child reach their goal of a college education

MAKE ME A MENTOR! Mentor application and supplemental forms.

How To Qualify As A Student

In Alachua County, students are invited to apply in the 6th grade provided that they qualify for free or reduced lunch, have at least a 2.5 GPA, have minimum scores of 2 on their math and reading FCAT tests, and attend an Alachua County public school. Based on the application and teacher and school input, some scholars will be selected for an interview. After the interview process, all applications of interviewed students will be brought before the Leadership Council for Student Selection.

Selected TSIC scholars sign a contract in the 7th grade agreeing to stay drug-and crime- free, maintain the 2.5 GPA, and meet weekly with an adult volunteer mentor. Upon successful completion of high school and fulfillment of the contract, scholars will receive a 2+2 (two years at a Community College and two years at a University) college tuition scholarship.

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Alachua County Public Schools Foundation, Inc. • 1725 SE 1st Avenue • Gainesville, Florida 32641 • (352) 955-7003
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