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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. 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.
The following is a draft of the 2009 Common Application. BECA will continue to find local scholarships, adding them until January 15, 2009. However, the basic sections of the application will not change much at all, therefore students can begin to collect information for their Common Scholarship Application.
A fillable PDF will be created that you can fill in on the computer, print and mail. This will be the preferred method, because last year many applications were very difficult to read. There WILL NOT be a form that is submitted electronically. 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.
News from the 2008 Common Application:
BECA processed 198 2008 Common Applications that were submitted by the March 15, 2008 deadline. This is more than double the number received in 2007. One thousand, two hundred and seventy 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. Since I have some free time , can I work on the Common Application that I will submit next year?
Answer: There will be no major changes to the Draft Common Application, above. We will make minor wording changes and will add additional scholarships. Please, look over the draft that is posted and send us comments or corrections. You can begin gathering information about your extra curricular activities and work experience. You also could work on your Career Goal Narrative and request letters of support.
2. 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: Feel free to 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, a fillable PDF will be created for the 2009 Common Scholarship Application. You will be able to 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. You will not be able to save your work and work on it later. IF YOU DOWNLOAD THE ALTERNATIVE, FOXIT READER, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SAVE YOUR WORK FOR LATER WORK AND PRINTING. Instructions will be posted with the fillable PDF. Copies of the fillable PDF file will also be emailed to public and private school guidance counselors and school Career Centers, in case you have a problem with the download.
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 240-885-7300 x5805 and leave a message.
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