Membership in CSF is through school chapters. Each chapter is comprised of student members who meet eligibility requirements. Each chapter is led by a staff adviser. 

Eligible students become members by submitting applications based on their high school report card grades. Membership is for one semester, and membership drives are held each semester within established periods dictated by the State bylaws.

Requirements for Semester Membership

Students earn membership in CSF if they apply and have earned 10 (ten) CSF points. Points are earned on grades from the previous semester according to the following scale.

A = 3 CSF points*
B = 1 CSF point*
C = 0 CSF points
D or F in any course, even if not counted for CSF, disqualifies the student from membership

*1 extra point for an A or a B in an AP, IB, or Honors-designated course, not to exceed two such points per semester

• 4 (Four) of the 10 (ten) points must come from List I courses.

• 7 (Seven) of the 10 (ten) points (including the four List I points) must come from List I and II courses. Of course, all seven points may come from List I.

• The last 3 (three) points may come from any list.

• Only 5 (five) courses (or 25 credits) may be used to earn the 10 (ten) points.

Keep in mind that courses such as P.E., curses used for P.E. credit, teacher assistant, office aide, or repeated courses do not earn any CSF points. See the description of List I, II, III courses in Article IV, Section 6, of the CSF Bylaws.

Poor citizenship may disqualify students from membership. It is the adviser and principal’s prerogative to determine disbarment.

Individual chapters may choose to impose a chapter dues payment as part of their membership application process, but no eligible applicant may be refused membership for non-payment of dues.

Life Membership

Seniors may achieve Life Membership (Sealbearer status at graduation) if they have been a member of CSF for four semesters during second semester of sophomore year through second semester of senior year. A senior must qualify for second semester of senior year even if they have four prior semesters of membership because one semester must be based on grades earned in the senior year.  A senior needing one additional semester to qualify for Sealbearer may use final grades in the last semester of senior year if they qualify and complete a CSF application in May/June.

Associate Membership

Second semester freshmen and first semester sophomores may achieve Associate Membership if they successfully qualify for membership. Associate Membership does not count towards Life (Sealbearer) Membership status.

Students in second semester of sophomore year through second semester of senior year who meet the membership criterion are recognized with Semester Membership. Semester Membership is for one semester; students must reapply at the beginning of each semester to maintain membership in good standing.

Contributing (Active) Semester Membership

Members in good standing who perform at least the recommended service hours are classified as Contributing or Active Members. Contributing or Active Members are eligible to seek club leadership positions.  Seniors who achieve Contributing or Active Life Membership (Sealbearer status at graduation) -  a contributing or active member of CSF for four semesters during second semester of sophomore year through second semester of senior year will be eligible for a CSF graduation stole.

Non-Contributing (Inactive) Semester Membership

Members in good standing who do not perform at least the recommended service hours are classified as Non-Contributing or Inactive Members.  Non-Contributing or Inactive Members are not eligible for club leadership positions. Seniors who achieve Life Membership (Sealbearer status at graduation) but were not a contributing or active member of CSF for four semesters during second semester of sophomore year through second semester of senior year will be eligible for the CSF graduation cords. 

Students in second semester of freshmen year through first semester of sophomore year who meet the membership criterion are recognized with Associate Membership. Associate Membership is for one semester; students must reapply at the beginning of each semester to maintain membership in good standing. Associate membership does not count towards Life (Sealbearer) status.

Contributing (Active) Associate Membership

Members in good standing who perform at least the recommended service hours are classified as Contributing or Active Members. Contributing (Active) Associate Members are elilgible for club level recognition. 

Non-Contributing (Inactive) Associate Membership

Members in good standing who do not perform at least the recommended service hours are classified as Non-Contributing or Inactive Members.  Non-Contributing (Inactive) Members are eligible for club level recognition.

Grade 9 students are not eligible for CSF membership during the Fall semester because eligibility is based on grades earned during regular high school terms. Since ninth-grade students have not yet completed any high school coursework, they are ineligible.  Upon completion of the Fall semester, ninth-grade students become eligible to apply for membership based on their earned grades first semester.