BECA's St. Mary's County Common Scholarship Application allows students to apply for many different scholarships with just one application package. Most 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.

Download the Common Application for 2012 using the link below. The application is a Microsoft Excel 1997-2003 file. When you open the file you will see three tabs at the bottom of the screen. Tab 1 is information and instructions, Tab 2 is the list of Scholarships and Tab 3 is the Common Application.

You must complete both Tab 2 and Tab 3 on your computer. Save the file with a new name as explained in the directions. Print each of the two worksheeets and mail the results to BECA and email the file to BECA, along with all required supporting documents. All information must be mailed and emailed by 5:00 pm March 15, 2012.

BECA Common Scholarship Application for 2012, an Excel 97-2003 File

This is the first year that the application is in Excel. It has been carefully tested, but please, if you find any problems, write to BECA at smcbeca@gmail.com and explain the problem you found. Use the subject PROBLEM.

Below, are FAQ about the Common Scholarship Application. This section will be updated as questions are received. Send your questions smcbeca@gmail.com using the subject QUESTION. Please read the questions and answers for important information.

FAQ Common Scholarship Application.

1. I don't have Excel on my computer. How can I complete the Common Scholarship Application?

Schools and libraries have computers with Excel. You may also download the free Open Office program CALC that will allow you to complete your application.

2. I don't see the tabs at the bottom of the spreadsheet. All I see is the 2012 Guidelines.

Be sure to maximize the window with the spreadsheet. If that doesn't take care of the problem, then On the View tab, in theWindow group, click Arrange All. Under Arrange, click Tiled, and then click OK. If that doesn't work then:

Office button , and then click Excel Options. In the Advanced category, under Display options for this workbook, look at the Show sheet tabscheck box. Is it cleared? If so, select it, and then click OK.

2. 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.

3. 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. (2011 instructions....this may change in 2012)

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Do you require sealed, official transcripts?

No, please open the transcripts and include them clipped with all other papers you are submitting. If they are copied on two sides of the paper, please recopy on one side of paper to make it easier for BECA to make copies of your application. Scholarship providers will ask you to give them official copies for verification once they have selected the winner for their scholarship.

7. Where do I mail my signed and completed Common Scholarship Application and List of Scholarships?

Please mail your application to this address;

BECA c/o Lexington Park Development Corporation

46940 Shangri-La Drive, Suite 100

Lexington Park, MD 20653

YOU MUST ALSO email the file to smcbeca@gmail.com

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, send an email to smcbeca@gmail.com or call 240-895-7300 x 5805 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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