(Bradenton, Fla., Feb.20, 2020) — State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) Florida are teaming up to provide scholarships for SCF students pursuing a career in the insurance or financial management industry.
The first $500 scholarship was awarded Jan. 28 to SCF student Catherine Ayala, who in addition to taking classes in the Risk Management and Insurance Services Program, works full time for Star Insurance Agency.
Linda Moore, president of NAIFA Florida, said the job of its members is to educate their clients, “We were very excited to have Catherine Ayala be our first recipient,” Moore said. Ayala was able to attend the organization’s Day on the Hill event in Tallahassee where NAIFA members and lawmakers talked about issues affecting the insurance industry.
“The trip to Tallahassee was awesome,” Ayala said. “It was an unforgettable experience by helping lawmakers better understand complicated insurance topics.”
Ayala was introduced to NAIFA members in Tallahassee by SCF supporters James Tollerton and Taylor Collins, vice president and president, respectively, of Professional Benefits Inc. in Sarasota.
To be considered for this scholarship, an applicant must be a Florida resident taking at least six semester hours at SCF, maintaining a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA, with the intent of pursuing a career in the insurance or financial management industry.
Moore says NAIFA will award a yearly scholarship to a SCF student. “By offering a local scholarship we are hoping to expose students to the insurance and financial services industry and encourage them to pursue insurance as a career path.”
For more information, visit SCF.edu.
Photo caption:
State College of Florida student Catherine Ayala, center, is flanked by Professional Benefits Inc. President Taylor Collins, left, and Vice President James Tollerton in Tallahassee Jan. 28.
