Where do I find information about the FAFSA?

The best place to start is at the FAFSA website where there is an explanation of the FAFSA and detailed instructions for filling it out. The FAFSA site is a US government site.

Does it cost money to fill out the FAFSA?

Filling out the FAFSA is free if you fill it out at the official  FAFSA website. However beware of other websites which may charge a fee to fill out the FAFSA.

Are there websites that can tell me the total cost of attending various colleges?

FinAid's Custom Calculators is an example of a web resource that can help you figure out how much a school will cost and what the family contribution will be. They have several calculators and some of the most popular include the College Cost Projector, Savings Plan Designer (Flat Contribution), Student Aid Index & Financial Aid Calculator, and Loan Calculator.

I find it difficult to compare the award letters from different colleges. Is there an easy way to do a comparison?

Although it can still sometimes be challenging to compare financial aid packages, this site is one resource that you may find helpful: Award Letter Calculator

When should I apply for a Scholarship Fund scholarship?

Applications from high school seniors must be submitted online or postmarked by May 1. Applications from students in college must be submitted online or postmarked by April 1.

What should I do if I’m having difficulty with the online application and/or downloading the pdf version of the application?

Send an e-mail to awards@thescholarshipfundofcc.org telling us of your problem and we will try to help you resolve the issue,

I attended middle school in Concord (Carlisle) and then went to high school elsewhere.  Am I still eligible for The Scholarship Fund scholarship assistance?

Yes, if you have financial need.

I have resided in Concord (Carlisle), but have always attended school elsewhere.  Am I eligible for The Scholarship Fund scholarship assistance?

Yes, if you have financial need.

I am enrolled in graduate school and need financial assistance.  Am I eligible for a Scholarship Fund scholarship if I meet the general criteria?

Not at this time. The Scholarship Fund Trustees have determined that undergraduates must be afforded priority in funding until their financial need gap is fully addressed.  

I am currently in college and have sent in my application.  However, no one has contacted me for an interview. When will I be scheduled?

We interview only current high school seniors. As an in college student you do not need to participate in an interview.

I didn't complete a Scholarship Fund application while in high school.  However, I would like to do so now. Is this OK? If so, how do I proceed?

Yes, this is absolutely OK. Simply download the “in-college” application and follow instructions.  If you are just beginning college, this form may still be used.  However, you will have to submit a copy of your high school transcript instead of a college transcript.  No interview is required.

There are certain issues in my family that impact on the amount of help they can provide me.  However, there is no way to include these in my FAFSA information. What can I do?

Be sure to tell us of these matters in your Scholarship Fund application.  There is space provided specifically for this purpose. One of the nice things about a community program such as The Scholarship Fund is that we are able to consider special situations more fully.

Do I need to provide SAT/ACT scores?

No, they are not required; please do not send us test scores.

My family's finances preclude my meeting the requirement for financial need.  Should I still apply for a scholarship?

We would discourage this as all awards are based on financial need. .

I am not going to a college.  However, I will be enrolled in an accredited post-secondary training program (such as a trade or vocational program.)  Am I eligible for The Scholarship Fund scholarship consideration?

Yes, as long as you have documented financial need.

I am currently enrolled in college.  Do you still need my high school transcript?

No.  Your most recent college transcript is required and will be sufficient.

How many recommendations do I need to submit with my application?

No recommendations are needed for the application.

My family is friendly with one of the donors of a Named Fund scholarship.  May I request that my award be from that Named Fund?

The Scholarship Fund Selections Committee has sole decision-making authority.  You may ask that this be done. However, there can be no assurance that your request will be fulfilled.

Why is my new award less than my previous award even though my need is greater?

Each year, the amount of available funds, the number of awardees, and awardee needs change.  Your award decision is made in the context of funds available and all applicant needs. It may increase or decrease accordingly.

I received an unexpected scholarship that covers all of my institutional costs.  Can I use my Scholarship Fund scholarship for other expenses?

No.  All Scholarship Fund awards are need-based and must be used only for institutionally-billed expenses such as tuition, fees, board, & room.

I'm unable to attend the interview.  Will this disqualify me?

You MUST notify the Selection Committee (awards@thescholarshipfundofcc.org) as soon as you are aware of an interview conflict. Every effort will be made to reschedule your session. In no case will an award be made to a high school applicant without the completion of an interview.

My educational plans are changing.  Do I need to contact The Scholarship Fund?

Absolutely! We need to know what changes are being made so that we can process your scholarship payments properly and maintain communication. Failure to do so may jeopardize consideration for future scholarships. Please send us an e-mail at awards@thescholarshipfundofcc.org.

I've decided to take a semester off.  Will I lose my scholarship?

We cannot pay if you do not enroll. You MUST inform us as soon as this decision is made. If you have not yet commenced classes, but have already submitted your check to your school, this payment must be returned to The Scholarship Fund by your school. If you are taking Semester I off, and resume your studies Semester II, your award will still be paid for Semester II.

I'm withdrawing during the current semester.  Do I need to repay my award?

No.  Once you start the semester, you incur permanent financial obligations to your school.  Your Scholarship Fund award can still be used for those purposes.

If I change schools, will my scholarship follow me?

Yes, as long as you still have financial need. You will need to inform us of your new financial aid package and new expenses.  Once your need is verified, we will issue payment to your new school. The amount may be less than your initial award if you have less financial need.

When will I receive my award?

Normally, award checks are issued mid-July for Semester I and mid-December for Semester II.  If your school requires payment on some other schedule, please contact The Scholarship Fund at awards@thescholarshipfundofcc.org.

My college has no record of receiving my Scholarship Fund check.  What do I do?

Contact The Scholarship Fund (awards@thescholarshipfundofcc.org) immediately.  We will check our own records to see if the check has been processed through our bank.  If so, we will provide you with copies of the front and the back of the check. This invariably results in an accounting error correction and you'll be all set.  If the check has not been processed, we may need to put a "stop payment" order on it and issue a new check to the school. In any case, be assured that we will work closely with you until the situation is resolved.

I have been told that colleges will use The Scholarship Fund scholarship awards to reduce the tuition grant I've been awarded.  Is this true?

The Scholarship Fund vigorously opposes such decisions on the part of colleges and makes this very clear in its "college notification of award" letters. They are told that any part of your award that is to be allocated to grant reduction must be refunded to The Scholarship Fund. The result of this notification is that the issue rarely surfaces.  You can be sure that The Scholarship Fund will work diligently with you to try to reverse grant reduction decisions.

I'm dissatisfied with the way my school has structured my financial aid package.  Can The Scholarship Fund request a change in the way they allocate its scholarship?

Schools must use your award to reduce your personal financial obligations. They are not permitted to use The Scholarship Fund awards for grant-reduction.  Other than these two criteria, The Scholarship Fund has little control over the financial aid decisions of your school. If you have concerns about what they have done, contact us at awards@thescholarshipfundofcc.org.