Click to Apply for 2024/25 Scholarships

Although the 2024 scholarship priority deadline has passed, we still encourage students to complete and submit their applications as funds may become available later on.

Scholarship Portal Process:

1

Prequalifying questions

These questions help to determine which scholarships a student is eligible for. Questions cover things such as graduation year, major, residency, and college attending. Once completed, a list of available scholarships will be generated for you to choose from.
2

Register Account

Once you select the scholarships you would like to apply for you will register a new account. Be sure to register with an email address that you will be checking as this is the means of communication for all scholarship correspondence. You will verify your email, choose a password and enter contact information before being directed to your student dashboard.
3

Student Dashboard

This is where you will begin a new application or find applications that you already started or have submitted. Once you have completed the pre-qualifying questions and have begun an application DO NOT start over. Click on details to resume your application.
4

Application

The application is broken down into 5 question and answer sections as well as a section to upload required documentation. Once all sections are complete and documents uploaded as required the submit button will show. Clicking submit will take you to the final signing page where you can sign and submit your application.

Question and Answer Sections:

Section 1: Applicant Information
Includes basic demographic information as well as questions about family and household.
Section 2: High School Data
Covers high school details including graduation year, academic performance and activities participated in.
Section 3: Post-Secondary Data
Details on your post-secondary plans and any college credits already completed.

This section includes a short essay section: What are your college/career plans? What inspired you to follow this path?

Section 4: Educational Expenses
More information on overall educational expenses, your financial situation, and ways in which you intend to cover expenses.
Section 5: Essay Questions
Respond to two essay questions that will provide the selection committee with insight to you and your unique journey. Also incudes an area to disclose any special circumstances not otherwise addressed in the application.

See Application Tips for list of essay questions.

Required and Optional Documentation:

ACT/SAT Scores
Upload SAT/ACT test score documentation as applicable. Test scores are not required but are recommended, especially for more competitive scholarships.
Transcripts
Must upload both high school and college (if applicable) transcripts. Transcripts do NOT need to be official.
Recommendation(s)
Upload a pdf letter of recommendation or use our Scholarship Recommendation Form .

Have questions about a specific section? See our  Scholarship Portal Help Booklet

5

Confirmation

Once you have submitted your application you will receive a confirmation email. You will also receive an email when the application is reviewed and accepted by staff. You can view the status of your application at any time under Application History on your Student Dashboard.
 
 

Resources:

*Scroll to bottom of page for FAQ

Application Tips

One-page guide with tips for completing the scholarship application

Scholarship Portal Help Booklet

Step-by-step guide with pictures for navigating the scholarship portal

Scholarship Recommendation Form

Two page form that can be completed in place of traditional recommendation letter. Includes short answers or optional video response.

Life Needs Application

Please click here for life needs application.

Need more help?

Scholarship Ambassadors

The following organizations are Community Foundation Scholarship Ambassadors. They have been trained on navigating our scholarship portal and are available to help answer questions and guide you through the application process. Click on the organization for contact information.

SONS Outreach
Contact person: Bobie Jones Jr.
Email: bobie.jones@sonsoutreach.org
Phone: 810-399-4140
The Athletic Factory
Contact person: Cliff Thomason
Email: cthomason@theathleticfactory.org
Phone: 810-300-9053
Maggie Toole
Contact person: Maggie Toole
Email: mtoole@miwf.org
Phone: 810-941-4030
 

 

Questions about scholarships?

Contact Jessica:
jessica@stclairfoundation.org
810-984-4761

 

SCHOLARSHIP TIMELINE

Other Scholarship Opportunities

SC4 Scholarships

Literacy & Beyond – Scholarship for Mothers


Other Resources

FAFSA

US Department of Education

Tuition Incentive Program (TIP)

MI Student Aid Programs

Blue Water College Access Network

SAT Prep

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I have to reapply if I received a Community Foundation scholarship last year?
Yes, the majority of scholarships are one-time awards. If you have received a renewable scholarship you will be notified by the Foundation in January and instructed to reapply.
2Is it possible to apply for Community Foundation and SC4 Foundation scholarships at the same time?
No. Students interested in applying for SC4 Foundation scholarships must apply through the SC4 financial aid website.
3What if I'm a Blue Water Middle College student?
BWMC students have two prequalifying questions in particular you want to pay attention to:

What year did you/do you expect to graduate from high school?
  • Select the year you will graduate from BWMC.

    • What high school did you/do you expect to graduate from?
  • You should answer this with the traditional high school you attended in conjunction with BWMC (PHHS, Northern, Algonac, Capac, Yale, Memphis. Use Other if VLA).
  • On the application – under high school name write BWMC/name of traditional high school
    • 4How do I get an application started?

    Answer the pre-qualifying questions completely and honestly. This will generate a list of scholarship funds for which you are eligible. Checkmark all that appear and create your profile. Returning students should log in to your existing profile.

    Once you answer the pre-qualifying questions and start an application you do not need to answer them again. Doing so will only create duplicate applications. Instead, log into your account and resume your application via the Student Dashboard.

    5What if I can’t remember my username or password for the online scholarship portal?
    If you are having issues logging in, please contact Heather Hayek for help at heather@stclairfoundation.org or 810-984-4761.
    6Are scholarships available for current college students?
    Some scholarships are available for current college students. Students are always encouraged to answer the pre-qualify questions when the application portal is open to help determine what is available.
    7Is an unofficial transcript of my grades OK?

    College students – An unofficial transcript or internet printout of your transcript is acceptable as long as it is a complete transcript of your college work to date, is clearly labeled with your name, current academic year, your cumulative grade point average, and the name of the college or university.

    High school seniors – your complete transcript, including: your first semester senior-year grades, cumulative grade point average, SAT score, and class rank is required.

    8How do I find my SAT/ACT test scores?

    An older student trying to track down ACT, SAT, Accuplacer or Compass test scores for the required upload may contact the testing center at their college or university, or reach out to the high school from which they graduated as test scores are part of a student’s permanent record.

    More recent high school graduates may log into their profile on the SAT or ACT website if the test scores are not already listed on a transcript.

    9How do I calculate my GPA if I have a GED?
    Identify Your Score in Each GED Section

    List your score of each section of the GED test. Must students are tested on five sections. This score should be between 200 and 800; your percentile score, which is under 100, indicates how well you did compared to other test-takers but does not directly correspond to a GPA. The score for each of the sections can be used to determine your average GED score, which is the first step in converting it to a GPA.

    Divide the Sum of Your Scores by the Number of Sections

    Add together the scores from each section of the GED, then divide this number by the number of sections you took to find your average GED score. For example, if your total score is 3000 and you took five sections, your average GED score would be 600.

    Use Your GED Average to Determine Its GPA Equivalent

    Convert your GED score into an approximate GPA using the following information. A GED score of below 300 is the approximate equivalent of a GPA of 1 or below. A GED score of 300 to 400 is the approximate equivalent of a GPA of 1.5 to 2.0. A GED score of 401 to 500 is the approximate equivalent of a GPA of 2.0 to 2.9. A GED score of 501 to 600 is the approximate equivalent of a GPA of 3.0 to 3.4. A GED score of 601 to 700 is the approximate equivalent of a GPA of 3.5 to 3.7 while a GED score of 701 to 800 is the approximate equivalent of a GPA of 3.8 to 4.0.

    10When will I find out if I have been awarded a scholarship?
    All applicants are notified of award decisions via email by the end of May. Some recipients may also be notified during award ceremonies, but it is important to check email because if you are approved an acceptance link is included.
    11May I receive scholarships from more than one fund?
    Occasionally a student may be selected to receive a scholarship from more than one Community Foundation scholarship fund. However, this is the exception rather than the rule.
    12If I am awarded a scholarship, how is it paid?
    Checks are made payable to and mailed directly to the college after you have returned the required scholarship acceptance paperwork, thank you note and photo. This is usually by early July.
    13What can these scholarships be used for, and are they taxable?
    These awards may be applied to expenses built into a college’s cost of attendance. Tuition, fees and books are nontaxable. If a student has other gift aid that covers those expenses it may then be used for taxable expenses such as room and board, and the college will issue a 1098-T to the student.
    14If I receive an award, is it important to send the donor a thank you note?
    Absolutely! These awards are generous gifts from donors and should be acknowledged as such. All thank you cards are gathered at the Community Foundation office and given to the individual donors who read and cherish them.