|
Common Scholarship Application
BECA developed the St. Mary's County Common Scholarship Application to increase the number of applicants for local scholarships. It allows students to apply for many different scholarships with just one application package. Almost all of the scholarship providers listed on the Common Application have agreed this year to accept the Common Application Package with no additional requirments beyond the basics.
This means that students send just one application, one essay, one copy of the transcript and SAT/ACT scores, and two letters of recommendation and BECA will copy all material and distribute it to the providers chosen by each student..
PDF VERSION:
- 2009 St. Mary's Common Scholarship Application. This is no longer a draft, so students may download and complete, in ink.
- NOTE: the posted version is version 2009.5. It has one major difference from 2009.4: the Chamber of Commerce Scholarship has a required additional essay, which was accidently left off the previous version.
FILLABLE PDF VERSION:
- Fillable Common Application 2009. This is version 2009.5.2.
- Note: Adobe Acrobat Reader, the most common program installed on computers to read PDF files does not allow you to work on your Common Application, save it, and continue at a later date. BECA recommends that you download and install an alternate reader, such as the free Foxit Reader: http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php
- Foxit Reader allows you to save your work. You may submit an application with a combination of typed and hand written information. Note that you MUST handwrite your initials in front of each scholarship for which you are applying.
- BECA prefers you use the Fillable PDF , because last year many applications were difficult to read. You may not submit this your Common Application electronically, i nstead, you must mail it to BECA. We need the student and parent signatures to ensure that you have read and followed all instructions and that you know the consequesnces of not following instructions.
Statistics from last year's Common Application:
BECA processed two hundred, 2008 Common Applications that were submitted by the 2008 deadline. This is more than double the number received in 2007. 1,270 copies were made and distributed to scholarship providers. Approximately $630,000 in scholarships has been awarded through the 2008 Common Scholarship Application.
Below, are FAQ for the common application. This section will be updated as questions are received. Send your questions to Mark Smith (princefredmd-beca@yahoo.com).
1. What changes have been made for the 2009 Common Application?
Answer: We fixed the box for collecting ethnicity, as it was sometimes misread. We now require students initials to certify that they actually are qualified for the scholarships they have checked off. Several new scholarships are listed.
Archive of Questions from the 2008 Common Scholarship Application. (with some updated information)
1. You ask for a copy of the SAR, or Student Aid Report from the FAFSA. That has a great deal of sensitive information. Will my Social Security number be kept private?
Answer: Please white out all but the last four digits of the student's Social Security numbers that appear on your SAR, and white out all other Social Security numbers. Note that the common application only asks for the last four digits of the student's SS number. This is to avoid confusion of applications from students with the same name and birthdate.
1.a. What part of the SAR should I include?
Answer: You should select the option that prints a PDF "Summary Report" version of your SAR, not the HTML version. The first two pages of the PDF version will contain your name and EFC, or expected family contribution, which is the key piece of information that scholarship providers need. The PDF report may be four pages long, but you only need to send the first two pages as long as they contain the EFC and student name.
2. I am a college student and would like to apply for the CSC Scholarship. Do I still need to send high school transcripts? SAT Scores?
Answer: You should send in your official high school transcripts and your official college transcripts from all institutions attended. For extra curricular activities, list college ones first, then high school activities if space permits. Do send your SAT/SAT reports.
3. Box A lists a Personal Statement/Essay and the instructions refer to a Career Goal Narrative. Are these the same?
Answer: Yes, they are the same. Only one essay is required. It is the same essay that public school students use as in their Senior Portfolio, where it is called the Career Goal Narrative. You may have an earlier draft application. On the final versions, above, we used both names in both places, and added an explanation.
4. I would like to type my information into the St. Mary's County Common Application, then print it out. Is that possible?
Answer: Yes, use the fillable PDF, above. You can enter your information directly into the form on your computer, print it out, and mail it in. CAUTION: if you use Adobe Acrobat reader, you will have to type the information in and print it immediately. You will not be able to save your work and work on it later, unless you have the expensive Professional version. IF YOU DOWNLOAD THE ALTERNATIVE, FOXIT READER, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SAVE YOUR WORK FOR LATER WORK AND PRINTING. See the instructions above with the fillable pdf.
Students and families: Thank you for your excellent questions, which help us improve the St. Mary's Common Scholarship Application. If you have other questions, email Mark Smith or call 240-895-7300 x5805 and leave a message. Volunteers from BECA answer message daily from Jan. to April, and less frequently at other times of the year.
|
