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Common Scholarship Application (CSA)
Overview
The San Diego Foundation
Scholarship Proram
• TSDF will offer scholarship funds through the platform SmarterSelect
• All applications are audited for eligibility by staff and read/reviewed by volunteer committees
• Most heavily weighted evaluation criteria (grades, extracurriculars, financial need, etc.) varies by fund
• Primary program goal is to award to applicants for whom a scholarship would make the greatest impact
The Community Scholarship Program
Accessing the CSA
Accessing the CSA
Selecting ApplicationsBefore Beginning
• Ensure that all requested academic, financial, and personal information is on hand (FAFSA or the CA Dream Act is a requirement) Please advise students to start their FAFSA asap
• Be willing to devote 3-4 hours to completing the form
• You can “save” and start where you left off
• Only select scholarships for which you meet 100% of the criteria
*Close attention to instructions and criteria is
Selecting Applications
Matching Process
• Determines unique scholarships assigned
• If multiple answers apply, choose the most specific answer
*All information provided will remain confidential*
Selecting Applications
• Click “view details” to review criteria before selecting unique scholarship
• Check the boxes to the left of each desired award
• Click “Save to My Applications” to add to your Common Scholarship Application
Selecting Applications
Selecting Applications
Home Page
• Any progress on one unique application will appear in every other app• Apps that require letters of recommendation will not be fully submitted until letter is received with
completed app• Incomplete applications will not be seen by reviewers• Click “Return to Search” to retry matching process
The Common Scholarship Application
After reviewing and submitting the Scholarship Agreement and entering contact information, the application will ask for demographics
As long as applicants fit the award criteria, demographic information like:• Ethnicity• Birth Date• Citizenship Status do not factor into application score
The Common Scholarship Application
Many high school applicants misreport school districts or use unofficial school names
Students who are unsure of their school district or official school name are encouraged to double-check online
The Common Scholarship ApplicationApplicants should ensure that their prospective schools align with the scholarship criteria (i.e. high school dependent, arts-specific, ethnicity-specific)
Similarly, intended major and career are integral to some awards
The Common Scholarship Application• The Student Aid
Report (SAR) is part of the FAFSA and is required for the 2021-22 scholarship application
• Expected Family Contribution gives evaluators a better idea of an applicant’s level of financial need
• While not quantifiable, Other Financial Circumstances are carefully factored into evaluation
The Common Scholarship Application• Extra-Curriculars,
Community Service, and Work Experience help evaluators understand an applicant’s sense of commitment to community
• While Extra-Curriculars and Work Experience are measured by hours per week, Community Service is measured by total hours
• One activity/job should not be used
The Common Scholarship Application
• Effective Personal Statements echo Academics, Extra-Curriculars, Community Service, and/or Work Experience to show personality and build a cohesive narrative
• The best essays demonstrate how the applicant’s worldview and experiences have shaped their aspirations
• If possible, applicants should seek proofreaders before submitting essays
The Common Scholarship Application
The Common Scholarship Application• As of 2021-22
unique apps have verification questions
• About half of all scholarships require extra materials that are not on the Common Application
• Letters of recommendation are requested via email and submitted through a SmarterSelectlink
• Recommenders must submit letters by the 2/3deadline
Submitting
• Applicants will receive email and text reminders to complete unique applications
• Decisions are sent on a rolling basis via email only, so students must check inboxes and update us with any new contact info
Timeline
End of October – Scholarship award flyers available to counselors upon request --------------------------------
November 9 and 10 – Virtual Counselor Convening ---------------------------------------------------------------------
December 2 (Midnight) – Common Scholarship Application launches ------------------------------------
February 3 (2:00 P.M.) – Common Scholarship Application closes (deadline for letters of recommendation)
March - Mid-May – TSDF and volunteer committees evaluate applications -------------------------------
Late May – Scholarship application numbers available to counselors upon request ---------------------
June – All students are notified of awards ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Links
• Practice Application• Tips for a Strong Application
• FAQs• Local Scholarships
Open Discussion
• How has COVID impacted your ability to be in contact with students?
• What has your school or program put in place to support students in a virtual world?
Questions? Email scholarships@sdfoundation.org
Correspondence regarding a specific application should be from the applicant, not a parent/advisor proxy
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