BECA Common Application for Local Scholarships

The 2025 BECA St. Mary's County Common Scholarship Application is open. See the steps below. The due date is March 3, 2025.

See the Calendar of Events and Timeline. Pay close attention to the deadlines. There are important things to do in January.

STEP 1: Download Materials

Index to the 77 scholarships offered. Print this and mark off the scholarships you wish to apply for.
Click HERE for a complete description of the 77 scholarships offered. NEW: Click HERE for a partial summary of majors, careers and requirements. Note this is not complete and you must read the full descriptions to find all relevant scholarships.
READ CAREFULLY TO BE SURE THERE ARE SCHOLARSHIPS YOU QUALIFY FOR.

Tip: use your computer's search function to help you find appropriate scholarships. For example, if you want to be a teacher, search for teacher or educator.
Later, in the JotForm Electronic Application, you must also check off each scholarship you wish to apply for.

STEP 2: Use the link to the right to see and complete the JotForm Electronic Application

Complete Section 1 first.
Then use the "save" button at the bottom of the application. SMCPS email addresses will not work. Use a personal email address.
Look for an email from JotForm with a link to return to your application, as you will not be able to complete it in one session. If you do not get that email, do not continue. Contact BECA at smcbeca@gmail.com. Creating a JotForm account may help you access your application.
Close your application and use the link to be sure you can get back into it. You may then complete the rest of the application in any order. You should begin early, as there are a number of steps to complete.

STEP 3: Upload required documentation, generate and upload a pdf of your application and submit the application electronically.

Once the online application is complete:

Combine all of the supporting documents (see below) and scan into a single PDF file. Upload this using the first yellow “Browse Files” button near the bottom of the JotForm Electronic Application. Name this file with: Last name, First Name, Middle Initial, Supplemental.pdf. You must include these supporting documents:
1. The six basic Supporting Documents (scan in this order) then upload in the Electronic Application:
  - FSS, your FAFSA Submission Summary from FAFSA (only the single page that shows your SAI or Student Aid Index) APPLY NOW! www.fafsa.gov
  - SAT and/or ACT score report(s). (Optional this year) Forms printed from the web are acceptable. Winners will need to provide official reports.
  - Two letters of recommendation. One from someone at your school and one from someone in the community, strongly preferred, or two from school if you are unable to get a letter from a community person. BECA does not accept confidential letters. SEE ELECTRONIC APPLICATION FOR MORE DETAILS.
  - A copy of your high school transcript. (or high school and college if a current college student). You can print the transcript from the web. Winning students may need to provide an official transcript to providers. REQUEST TRANSCRIPTS EARLY! SMCPS Instructions. You must use Naviance.
  - A copy of your current school year report card, showing grades at the end of the first semester of your senior year. You may print this from the web.
2. Any essays or other documents requested by the Part B scholarships. Rotary scholarships request a "Service Above Self" essay. You only need to include one, and may place it at the end of your set of essays in your Supplemental Information that you upload.
Create a PDF of the completed JotForm Electronic Application. Create this using the green “First Print-Save Form as PDF” button at the bottom of the JotForm application. Use the yellow “Browse Files” button to upload the PDF you created.
Submit the electronic JotForm Application data by clicking the “Last Step: Submit” button at the bottom of your application.
Note: Even after submitting, you can return to your application and make changes up until 11:59 P.M, March 3, 2025. Any time you make changes, you must create a new pdf of the application, and upload it inside the electronic application. Anytime you make a change, you must use the submit button again.

Coming: a Powerpoint presentation on How to Complete the BECA Common Scholarship Application

Coming: a Guide to scholarships, that will help you determine which scholarships you qualify for.

Questions? Check the FAQ page. The first FAQ tells SMCPS students the required steps to request transcripts.