CSF- CALIFORNIA SCHOLARSHIP FEDERATION

What is CSF?

Founded in 1921, the California Scholarship Federation (CSF) is the oldest scholastic, scholarship institution in the state of California. CSF emphasizes high standards of scholarship, and community service for California high school students. CSF encourages service to the school and the community while fostering pride in academic achievement. CSF is recognized by colleges and universities throughout California. There are approximately 1500 chapters in middle school and high schools throughout the state, and each chapter is comprised of students members who meet eligibility requirements. Each chapter is led by a staff adviser.

Eligible students become members by submitting applications based on their report card grades. Membership is for one semester, and membership drives are held each semester.

Conferences are held annually, and student awards recognizing scholastic achievement and community service are presented.

CSF Membership is based on scholarship and is gained after qualifying grades are earned each semester. In order to become a member, the student must submit an application each semester the student is eligible. To secure eligibility for CSF membership, a student must earn sufficient points from pre-approved course lists.

Types of Members:

SEMESTER MEMBER is achieved by applying for active membership each semester (Semester membership is based on work done in the previous semester, and you must reapply each semester)

LIFE MEMBERSHIP (Sealbearer) is achieved by qualifying four or more semesters in the last three years of high school, and earns the CSF Gold Seal on diplomas and transcripts. One of the semesters must be from grades earned during the senior year.

100% MEMBERSHIP is achieved by Graduating seniors who have maintained active CSF membership for at least 6 semesters (for all 6 semesters between 10th and 12th grade)

What are the benefits to being a CSF student?

  • Students who maintain membership for a minimum of four terms (one of which must be using grades from their SENIOR year) are awarded Life/Sealbearer Membership.

  • Life/Sealbearer members are honored at graduation

  • CSF Life/Sealbearer pin

  • CSF gold seal diploma

  • Honor Cord to wear at graduation

  • Eligible for CSF Scholarships

How to apply:

CSF eligibility for membership will be based on previous semester grades. The application period will begin after the start of each semester and will continue for about two weeks. Look for application deadlines on the website and email.

To submit your application:

  • Access the CSF application (either via the website, in G-5, or email link)

  • Access your transcript (via StudentVUE)

  • Fill out and submit your application to Ms. Barba by March 11th at 1:40PM

    • Make sure applications are submitted on time! Late applications will NOT be accepted, per California Scholarship Federation Bylaws.

How do I qualify for membership each semester?

Eligibility for CSF membership is based on a points system. Students need a minimum of ten CSF points to qualify that semester. Points are awarded based on both the earned letter grades and the courses taken. There is not a specific GPA requirement for CSF membership.

To calculate CSF points:

  • You must earn a minimum of 10 points from last semester's grades, using only 5 courses from the semester

    • a minimum of 4 points must be from courses under LIST I

    • another 3 points may be from courses under LIST I or LIST II (you need a combined minimum of 7 points from LIST I and LIST II)

    • the remaining 3 points may come from any course under LIST I, LIST II or LIST III

No CSF points are given from physical education, courses taken in lieu of physical education, courses repeated to improve a grade, courses involving clerking and office/teaching assisting, and courses taken on a pass/fail basis. Courses taken over the summer are not eligible for CSF membership.

CSF points are granted as follows:

  • grade of A = 3 CSF points

  • grade of B = 1 CSF point

  • grade of C = 0 CSF points

  • one additional CSF point shall be granted for a grade of A or B in an AP or Honors course. Maximum of extra 2 CSF points for AP/Honors per semester

***A grade of D or F in ANY course this semester disqualifies you from membership at this time.***

Click HERE to see course LISTS I, II and III

How do I know if I’ve qualified for LIFE/SEALBEARER MEMBERSHIP?

  • Class List will be posted on this website

  • The Sealbearer List will also be emailed and posted on school announcements

  • The Graduation program will also denote CSF Sealbearer status

What happens if a student misses the application deadline?

Membership is neither automatic nor compulsory. The By-Laws (Article IV, Section 2) and every chapter's mandatory Standing Rules (Article III, Section 3) require that the eligible student actually apply for membership, and retroactive membership (after the deadline) is prohibited. However, certain extreme circumstances may justify an exception to this rule; these may include: A lengthy absence from school during the application period; an incomplete grade completed (or a previously recorded grade changed) after the deadline, which qualifies a previously ineligible student. Excuses such as forgetting or not bothering to apply, inability to find one's report card in a timely fashion, failing to heed school announcements about the application period, absence on the last day of the application period, and other mundane excuses are not acceptable.