Effective October 18, 2023, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast (BGCS), now a part of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tampa Bay, a leading youth service organization in Pinellas County, merged with Earn to Learn FL (ETLFL), an education program that combines personal finance training with scholarship opportunities. This allows BGCS to serve as a bridge from high school graduation to young adults up to 24 years of age.
With a focus on educational success and life skill development, the Earn to Learn FL model will remain intact and provide its core program components to Boys & Girls Clubs members.
Brenda Tate
Founder, Earn to Learn FL
MEET
Brenda Tate is a long-time community leader who has served in support of causes ranging from education and conservation to human trafficking and transportation. Brenda routinely works behind the scenes to create strategic alliances and strong partnerships by fostering effective collaboration to get the jobs done, including raising money, securing legislation, and negotiating deals to fulfill the missions of worthy causes. Besides founding Earn to Learn FL, she was the founder of the Southwest Florida Women’s Foundation.
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Brenda routinely works behind the scenes to create strategic alliances and strong partnerships by fostering effective collaboration to get the jobs done, ranging from raising money, securing legislation, or negotiating deals to fulfill the missions of worthy causes.
The Earn to Learn FL Program Model
STEP ONE
Application Process
STEP TWO
Finance Training
STEP THREE
Full Application
STEP FOUR
Application Review
STEP FIVE
Peer Success Coach
STEP SIX
Scholarship
Complete the online pre-application form. Eligible students are directed to complete Personal Finance Training.
Students complete Personal Finance Training and are invited to complete the full application.
Once Personal Finance Training is complete students continue to full application to confirm eligibility.
Applications are reviewed and students receive notification of approval.
Students connect with a Near Peer Success Coach to Open your Florida 529 Savings Plan. Monthly deposits are made before your academic enrollment.
Students meet their Earn to Learn FL™ savings goal and receive the Earn to Learn FL™ Scholarship.
"It has made it possible for me to go to school and continue to earn a college degree. Without this scholarship I would not have been able to attend college. It has helped me learn how to budget my money properly and be wise.”
Jacob Rivera
“ETLFL has helped me with my college journey by explaining things I didn’t understand and answering any questions I had.”
Maricela Espinosa
“ETLFL has changed my life. College expenses can be a burden. With the scholarship, I can focus on my studies without stressing about finances.”
Herbney Niace
“I have no words to describe the positive impact that ETLFL has had on my life. Thanks to them I feel motivated every day to be a better student and learn more; it has allowed me to hope for a better future. I arrived in this country five years ago with the dream of having a College degree and I am grateful that ETLFL has always been there to support me in reaching that goal.”
Jonathan Valencia