Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Donor Questions

Application Questions

Changes in School Plans

Processing of Award Payments

How do I document my donation for tax purposes?  All donations are acknowledged immediately in writing,.  For donations less than $250, your cancelled check or credit card statement is all that is needed.  You will receive a formal "tax letter" that documents your donation amount and provides the CCSF Tax ID Number if your donation is $250, or larger. If you need assistance, e-mail ccsf@colonial.net.

The CCSF does not come up when searching the IRS listing of 501(c)3 charities.  How come?  The CCSF is included under an IRS Group Ruling issued to Scholarship America.  As a result, it may not surface in some searches.  Be assured that the CCSF is a fully credentialed 501(c)3 charity.  For further information, select GuideStar.  If you need an IRS determination letter, please e-mail ccsf@colonial.net.

I wish to donate to a Named Fund.  How should I prepare my check?  All checks should be issued to the CCSF.  Please indicate the Named Fund preference as a memo on the check or on a memo accompanying the check. It should be mailed to CCSF, P. O. Box 217, Concord, MA 01742-0217

I'm interested in starting a new Named Fund.  How do I begin?  This process may be initiated by contacting a CCSF Trustee directly or by sending an e-mail to ccsf@colonial.net.   We encourage all inquiries and will respond immediately..

I would like my donation to go to a particular student.  Can this be done?  No. IRS 501(c)3 regulations dictate that, once you have made a donation, you rescind all control of the donated funds except as provided by fiduciary statutes.

I wish to initiate a Named Fund, but don't have the money right now.  Is there any way I can do this?  Absolutely!  The CCSF has a number of strategies to facilitate this process and is definitely willing to consider additional creative solutions.  Please contact a trustee or e-mail us at ccsf@colonial.net.

I prefer not to be called during the CCSF/CCHS National Honor Society Phonathon.  Is there any way I can let the students know?  Yes.  Simply send an e-mail to ccsf@colonial.net and your request will be honored.  Better still, mail your donation or pledge prior to the event to CCSF, P. O. Box 217, Concord, MA 01742-0217, or make an on-line donation by selecting Network for Good.  Once the donation is received, you will be taken off the "call list".

I would like to review the CCSF audit.  Where can I get a copy?  The CCSF encourages such inquiries and readily provides all of its financial records for review by interested parties.  Let us know of your interest by e-mailing us at ccsf@colonial.net.  CCSF IRS-990 tax returns for 1999-2006 may be viewed by selecting GuideStar.

I've noticed you've added on-line credit card donating capability to your website.  Do you have a preference for credit cards vs. checks?  Actually, yes! Credit card transactions incur a 4.75% fee, whereas, checks do not. So send us a check if it is convenient to do so. But, if you're apt to forget, please donate on-line right now!  (You may choose to include payment of the credit card fee in addition to your donation.  This is truly appreciated.  Instructions will be provided when you donate on-line.)

I've heard there can be large tax advantages when donating securities.  Can you clarify this?  There can be substantial benefit in taking advantage of "stepped-up basis" when donating securities to charities. You are urged to consult your tax advisor for further information.

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

When should I apply for a CCSF scholarship?  To be considered for a scholarship for the 2008-09 academic year, you must submit your application prior to the April 1, 2008, deadline.  Be sure to start early enough to ensure that you have all materials submitted before the April 1st date.  Many applicants inititate their FAFSA filing on Jan. 1st and update it as they receive formal W-2s, etc.  We recommend that you follow this practice.

I can't seem to download the application from the website.  Can you help me?  Send an e-mail to ccsf@colonial.net telling us of your problem.  Depending upon your preference and the information you provide, we will  e-mail the application to you as an attachment, send it by regular mail, or FAX it to you.

I attended middle school in Concord (Carlisle) and then went to school elsewhere.  Am I still eligible for CCSF scholarship assistance?  If you have financial need, absolutely.

I have resided in Concord (Carlisle), but have always attended school elsewhere.  Am I eligible for CCSF scholarship assistance?  If you have financial need, absolutely.

I am enrolled in graduate school and need financial assistance.  Am I eligible for a CCSF scholarship if I meet the general criteria?  Technically, yes.  However, the CCSF Trustees have determined that undergraduates must be afforded priority in funding until their financial need gap is fully addressed.  As a result, the likelihood of receiving support for graduate study is virtually non-existent.

I am currently in college and have sent in my application.  However, no one has contacted me for an interview.  When will I be scheduled? We interview only current high school seniors.  You do not need an interview.

I didn't complete a CCSF application while in high school.  However, I would like to do so now.  Is this OK?  If so, how do I proceed?  Yes, this is absolutely OK. Simply download the "in-college" application form and follow instructions.  If you are just beginning college, this form may still be used.  However, you will have to submit a copy of your high school transcript instead of a college transcript.  No interview is required.

There are certain issues in my family that impact on the amount of help they can provide me.  However, there is no way to include these in my FAFSA information.  What can I do?  Be sure to tell us of these matters in your CCSF application.  There is space provided specifically for this purpose.  One of the nice things about a community program such as the CCSF is that we are able to consider special situations more fully.

Do I need to provide SAT/ACT scores?  You must provide us with a copy of your most recent school transcript.  Test scores are not a specific requirement for consideration.

I am currently in college.  Do I need to have an interview?  No.  Only high school seniors are required to appear for interviews.

My family's finances preclude my meeting the requirement for financial need.  Should I still apply for a scholarship?  All scholarships involving CCSF funds are subject to a financial need test.  However, some of the CCSF-Affiliates do not have this requirement.  To be considered for their awards, you should still submit a CCSF application because it serves all Affiliates.

I am not going to a college.  However, I will be enrolled in an accredited post-secondary training program.  Am I eligible for CCSF scholarship consideration?  Yes, as long as you have documented financial need.

I am currently enrolled in college.  Do you still need my high school transcript?  No.  Your most recent college transcript is required and will be sufficient.

How many recommendations do I need to submit with my application?  None are needed.

My family is friendly with one of the donors of a Named Fund scholarship.  May I request that my award be from that Named Fund?  The CCSF Selections Committee has sole decision-making authority.  You may ask that this be done.  However, there can be no assurance that your request will be fulfilled.

Why is my new award less than my previous award even though my need is greater?  Each year, the number of awardees and their needs change.  Your award decision is made in the context of all applicant needs and it may increase or decrease accordingly.

I received an unexpected scholarship that covers all of my institutional costs.  Can I use my CCSF scholarship for other expenses?  No.  All CCSF awards are need-based and must be used only for institutionally-billed expenses such as tuition, fees, board, & room.

I'm unable to attend the interview.  Will this disqualify me?  You MUST notify the Selection Committee (ccsf@colonial.net) as soon as you are aware of an interview conflict.  Every effort will be made to reschedule your session.  In no case, will an award be made to a high school applicant without the completion of an interview.

CHANGES IN SCHOOL PLANS

The CCSF understands that the college years are a time of growth and change.

We want be as supportive as possible.

My educational plans are changing.  Do I need to contact the CCSF? Absolutely!  We need to know what changes are being made so that we can process your scholarship payments properly and maintain communication.  Please send us an e-mail at ccsf@colonial.net.

I've decided to take a semester off.  Will I lose my scholarship? We cannot pay if you do not enroll. You MUST inform us as soon as this decision is made.  If you have not yet commenced classes, but have already submitted your check to your school, this payment must be returned to the CCSF by either you or your school. If you are taking Semester I off, and resume your studies Semester II, your award will still be paid for Semester II.

I'm withdrawing during the current semester.  Do I need to repay my award?  No.  Once you start the semester, you incur permanent financial obligations to your school.  Your CCSF award can still be used for those purposes.

If I change schools, will my scholarship follow me?  Yes, as long as you still have financial need.  You will need to inform us of your new financial aid package and new expenses.  Once your need is verified, we will issue payment to your new school.  The amount may be less than your initial award if you have less financial need.

PROCESSING OF AWARD PAYMENTS

When will I receive my award?  Normally, award checks are issued mid-July for Sem. I and mid-December for Sem. II.  If your school requires payment on some other schedule, please contact the CCSF at ccsf@colonial.net.

My college has no record of receiving my CCSF check.  What do I do?  Contact the CCSF (ccsf@colonial.net) immediately and provide us with your student account number.  We will check our own records to see if the check has been processed through our bank.  If so, we will e-mail or FAX copies of the front and the back of the check to your school.  This invariably results in an accounting error correction and you'll be all set.  If the check has not been processed, we may need to put a "stop payment" order on it and issue a new check to the school.  In any case, be assured that we will work closely with you until the situation is resolved.

I have been told that colleges will use CCSF scholarship awards to reduce the tuition grant I've been awarded.  Is this true?  The CCSF vigorously opposes such decisions on the part of colleges and makes this very clear in its "college notification of award" letters.  They are told that any part of your award that is to be allocated to grant reduction must, instead, be refunded to the CCSF.  The result of this notification is that the issue rarely surfaces.  You can be sure that the CCSF will work diligently with you to reverse grant reduction decisions.