Aidan Coffey knew from a young age that a future in volunteerism would require a heavy commitment throughout his youth — time that would challenge him to find the resources to pay for college. Paying tuition could have been a worry, with his parents back home in Fort Lauderdale working with his twin brother, Parker, who has autism. Yet, thanks to the Bright Futures Scholarship, Coffey was able to focus on his studies and volunteer thousands of hours during his four years at the University of Florida without incurring college debt. That financial freedom opened the door to what truly matters to him: disability advocacy and nonprofit leadership.
Aidan’s passion is deeply personal. After his twin brother was diagnosed at age 2, he began volunteering with organizations supporting people with disabilities. His passion led him to work summer jobs, acquiring internships, and ultimately led him to his college plans and a leadership track that has helped shape his career aspirations.
“After high school, everyone finds their thing,” he says. “For me, it was volunteering with people with disabilities.”
On campus, Coffey became a leader with Best Buddies and Special Olympics. As president of UF’s Best Buddies chapter, the group was one of the nation’s most active, and hosted social events for students with and without disabilities. His senior year, the organization raised over $22,000 — without corporate sponsors — through events like on-campus fundraisers and a Friendship Walk at the school’s O’Connell Center. Under his leadership, UF was named Best Buddies Collegiate Chapter of the Year.
Furthermore, he served as Director of Disability Affairs in Student Government, along with being the Global Speech Coach for a Special Olympics Global Ambassador. He also helped UF place second nationally in ESPN’s Unified College Championship Week, organizing inclusive intramural competitions at “The Swamp.”
Coffey chose UF for its programs in special education and business administration, knowing he wanted to design and fund impactful nonprofit initiatives. This spring, Coffey graduated with a double major in Special Education and Business Administration with a minor in Family, Youth and Community Sciences. He left in August for Columbia University, where he will pursue a master’s degree in nonprofit management and fundraising.
With his parents focused on supporting his brother, Parker, who enters an adult life-skills program this fall, Coffey says the Bright Futures Scholarship Program helped cover his tuition, which opened doors of opportunity for his career. His ultimate goal is to become CEO of a nonprofit serving people with disabilities. “The Bright Futures Scholarship lifted a financial burden from my family and allowed me to give my time where it mattered most, which was helping others,” he says. “Everything I intend to do is rooted in service and the Bright Futures Scholarship Program gave me the chance to make this possible.”
About the Florida Lottery / Bright Futures Scholarship
The Florida Lottery puts education in the spotlight with the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. The Florida Lottery is committed to helping students shine inside and outside of the classroom so they can have brighter tomorrows. Since 1988, the Florida Lottery has contributed billions of dollars to education sending over one million students to college on Bright Futures Scholarships. Plus, every time you play, you play it forward.
