Writing Lab | Gulf Coast State College Foundation

The Gulf Coast State College Foundation has an established relationship with the College’s Writing and Reading Lab. Any scholarship applicant can use the Lab’s tutorial resources to help with writing answers to the application essay questions. The Lab’s staff will assist in helping applicants with composition development, organization, mechanics, editing, grammar and punctuation. All of this is free of charge.

It is important to note that over 60% of a scholarship application’s score comes from the answers to the essay questions. The Lab’s services are free and open to all scholarship applicants – even high school students. The College’s Writing and Reading Lab is located in the Rosenwald Classroom Building in rooms 108 and 110. No appointments are necessary; however, lab hours and tutor availability may vary. If you have questions, please contact the Lab at [email protected] or (850) 769-1551 ext. 1022.

Scholarship Writing Workshops

Let the Lab staff help you with writing your scholarship essay answers. Workshops will cover all areas of writing, including content formation, grammar checking and essay review. Every year our highest scoring applicants seek help and advice from the Lab staff.

Workshops are free and open to the public. All classes will be held on the Panama City Campus of Gulf Coast State College, Rosenwald Building, Room 110. Workshops will also be carried via Zoom. Questions? Please contact Barbara Austin, Writing and Reading Lab Supervisor at (850) 769-1551 x-2836 or [email protected].

**CURRENTLY THERE ARE NO WORKSHOPS SCHEDULED**

Application Essay Questions

The Foundation’s general application will have two essay questions that are required to be answered in order to be considered for a general and endowed scholarship. Here are the 2026 general application questions:

In 500 words or less, how has growing up in your town, neighborhood, or school shaped who you are as a person?
Who in your life has influenced your beliefs the most and what did you learn from them?

There is also a summer application designed for students who want to take summer 2026 classes. Here are the summer application essay questions:

Why are you attending summer session?
In 100 words or less, how do you define success?

Tips for Better Essay Writing

Start early. Do not write your essay answer at the last minute.
Take your time.
Take a deep breath.
Do not hurry.
Write in small sections. You don’t have to finish everything all at once.
Refrain from using “texting” formatting. Do not use acronyms or all capital letters.
Write and share your thoughts. Tell the scoring committee members about yourself.
Have your essay answer reviewed and critiqued by a third party (GCSC writing lab staff, English or Language and Literature instructor, mentor, teacher, guidance counselor, advisor or family member).
Do not write your essay answer at the last minute (sorry can’t say this enough)!

As a bonus, the Foundation has put together some examples of good essay answers and some not so good essay answers. Please use these for instructional purposes and do not copy or plagiarize.

Essay Examples

Other Resources

A Conversation with Scoring Team Members

Former Writing and Reading Lab Director, Grant Deam, met with two veteran members of the GCSC scholarship scoring team, Chairman Ben Schmidt and Melissa Bois, to discuss how they review and score a scholarship essay answer.

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GCSC Foundation Scholarships by Commodore Conversations

Dunkin McLane and Kara Gray of the Gulf Coast State College Foundation discuss scholarship opportunities and the scholarship opportunities and the scholarship application process. Learn how the GCSC Foundation and the Writing and Reading Lab can help earn you money for school.

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