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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. A majority 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..
The final 2010 version of the St. Mary's Common Scholarship Application is posted below. There are some changes from last year's application. The essay requirement is different. New scholarships have been added. Warnings have been added to remind applicants that nothing will be accepted after the March 15, 2010 deadline.
If using the fillable PDF, you enter your information in the computer, save it, and when finished, print, sign and mail the form. We encourage you to use the fillable PDF, because in some cases, the information on hand-written applications has been impossible to read. Or, even if it is readable, it does not copy well. Certainly, if you are hand writing the information, use black ink only.
FILLABLE PDF VERSION: Open on computer, type in information, print out, then mail.
- 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, instead, 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.
- One field on the fillable application, the number of additional essays you are submitting, cannot be entered onto the fillable form. Just skip that field and hand write in the number before mailing.
PDF VERSION: Print out, then fill out in black pen (or the copies we make will be difficult to read)
Statistics from last year's Common Application:
BECA processed one hundred eighty nine, 2009 Common Applications that were submitted by the 2009 deadline. Approximately $450,000 in scholarships has been awarded through the 2009 Common Scholarship Application and over $1,000,000 awarded in the past three years via the Common Application.
Below, are FAQ about the Common Scholarship Application. This section will be updated as questions are received. Send your questions to Mark Smith (princefredmd-beca@yahoo.com). Please read the questions and answers for important information.
Archive of relevant questions from the 2008, 2009, and 2010 Common Scholarship Application.
1. You ask for a copy of the SAR, or Student Aid Report from the FAFSA. 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.
2. 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.
3. I am a college student and would like to apply for the Computer Sciences Corporation 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.
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.
5. When I enter data into the fillable PDF, the information I enter starts right after the words on the application, and is difficult to read.
A simple solution is to type a space first, then type your information.
6. Are there any errors on the Common Scholarship Application?
Yes, one we know of. The Educational Systems Federal Credit Union Scholarship requires a 2.75 minimum gpa, not the 2.0 that is listed on the application.
7. All I get from the College Board is a web page with my SAT scores. Can I send that in?
Yes, that is fine. Be sure it shows you name, the date of the test, and your scores. Scholarship winners will be asked to verify their scores.
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 messages daily on weekdays from Jan. to April, and approximately every other day at other times of the year.
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