BECA Common Application for Local Scholarships
The 2024 BECA St. Mary's County Common Scholarship Application is closed. See information below.
Here is a PowerPoint presentation with notes that give step-by-step instructions for completing the application.
Here is a Guide to Scholarships. It is brief. You must see the full-page description of each scholarship to be sure you qualify.
The 2024 BECA Scholarship Application is closed for new applications. It is OPEN for students who have not yet submitted their SAI/FSS from FAFSA.
If you have any questions, please contact your college adviser or BECA at 240-257-beca (2322) or smcbeca@gmail.com
Regarding submissions without SAI scores from FAFSA.. Students who have submitted an application by the deadline should edit their application and add their SAI in the appropriate box and upload their *FSS in the newly added question near the bottom of the application. Students will also need to use the "print" button in the application to make a new pdf of the application and then upload it to replace the earlier version. TO EDIT YOUR APPLICATION, USE THE LINK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE EMAIL YOU RECEIVED WHEN YOU SUBMITTED YOUR APPLICATION.
*The FSS is a summary of the information the student and parents listed on the FAFSA and also provides some basic financial aid eligibility information. The FSS will indicate if the FAFSA is complete and, if so, it will contain the student's Student Aid Index (SAI) in the upper right-hand corner of the form. Do not submit pages that show your families income. Just give BECA that page that shows your name and your SAI.
BECA thanks you for your completed application, which will be forwarded to the appropriate scholarship provider(s).
STEP 1: Download the PDF Timeline and Instructions and also the 65-page pdf, Scholarship Descriptions with the description of every scholarship offered. READ CAREFULLY TO BE SURE THERE ARE SCHOLARSHIPS YOU QUALIFY FOR. To see the individual pdfs, click HERE.
Review these document carefully, save/bookmark them, and keep them for reference throughout the process.
You will review each scholarship and, if you qualify and wish to apply, print the one-page description of each scholarship you are applying for.
Then on each page printed, check off each requirement to demonstrate you are fully qualified. You will scan and upload each of your selected pages via a link in the JotForm Electronic Application.
Later, in the JotForm Electronic Application, you must also check off each scholarships you wish to apply for.
STEP 2: Use this link to see and complete the JotForm Electronic Application
Complete Section 1 first.
Then use the "save" button at the bottom of the application. SMCPS 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.
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.
STEP 3:
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. See how each file should be named in the instructions above the yellow “Browse Files” button. You must include these supporting documents:
The six basic Supporting Documents as listed in on the electronic application and also in the PDF Timeline and Instructions.
The one-page description of each scholarship you are applying for. Check the boxes for every requirement listed on the page. Behind every "B" Scholarship, include any requested essay, paragraph, or resume. Many scholarships request a photo, so if needed, include just one photo at the end of your packet. Many scholarships request a "Service Above Self" essay. You only need to include one, and may place it at the end of your packet.
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.
Also email both the pdf of your application and the pdf of your Supplemental Information to copies.of.your.pdfs@gmail.com.
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 1. Anytime you make a change, you must use the submit button again. Any time you make changes, you must create a new pdf of the application, and upload it an email it.