What is the California Scholarship Federation?
The California Scholarship Federation (CSF) is an academic honors organization that accepts members who meet rigorous academic requirements. CSF stimulates interest and fosters pride in high standards of scholarship. Its purpose is to identify, motivate, and encourage students with intellectual abilities toward further education. The organization was incorporated under California Law in 1930. Application for membership in CSF is awarded to those students who have shown overall academic excellence in courses taken each semester. Students must apply each eligible semester during the CSF Membership Drives. The CSF Organization has strict guidelines for applying for membership, which the BHS chapter adheres to.
Who is eligible for CSF Membership?
Many students who achieve a 3.0 GPA or above may be eligible for CSF Membership. For example, eligibility for fall is determined by the student's grades from his or her spring semester report card.
What are the advantages in CSF Membership?
Not only will you receive academic recognition, but also colleges and universities tend to look favorably on CSF membership when reviewing applications. Your name is recognized in the graduation program and you wear a special gold tassel and cord.
How do I become a CSF Member?
Membership is for each semester only and is based on the grades earned during the previous semester. Life Membership can be earned by qualifying for membership 4 out of the last 6 semesters (grades from sophomore, junior, and senior years) with at least one semester of membership during the senior year. As a Life Member, you will wear a gold cord at graduation. Please note: grades from first and second semester of freshman year may be used to qualify for CSF Associate Membership, but they do not apply toward Life Membership.
When can I apply for CSF Membership?
Students may apply only during the second week of October and second week of February. You should make a copy of your semester report card or transcript, bring $5.00 cash or check payable to “BHS” for membership dues.
Where can I get an application?
Applications will be available online via this website the week before the membership drive.
Where do I turn in my application?
All completed applications must be turned in online, and dues turned into Ms. Wade in Room C106 in person.
Since students are given approximately 1 week to turn in their applications. Applications will not be accepted after the drive ends. If you do not turn in an application, you will NOT be granted membership automatically. It is stated in the CSF Handbook that "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, absences on the last day of the application period, and other excuses are not acceptable."
The application must be accurately filled out, turned in with the membership dues($5.00 cash or check), and the proper number of qualifying points earned for a student to be awarded CSF membership. Therefore, you need to submit the following three items together in order to apply. If any of these items are not received by the CSF Drive deadline, your application will be voided.
Completed CSF Membership Application for correct semester
$5.00 Membership dues/donation (check of cash only)
Once the membership drive is over for a particular semester, you may not retroactively apply.
Please note that each application is verified for accuracy. Submitting an application does not guarantee membership! Students who applied and are verified for eligibility for membership will have their names updated on my spreadsheet. It is the student's responsibility to check the website. Letters do not go out to the members.
Please be reminded that CSF membership is for one semester only. You must reapply each semester in order to maintain your CSF status and to accumulate the four semesters necessary for Life Membership. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Christina Wade, the CSF Advisor.