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National BECU Foundation Scholarship

The BECU Foundation Scholarship brings to life BECU’s core principle of people helping people. Every year, this scholarship provides us the opportunity to recognize and honor members who devote their time helping others while also pursuing post-secondary education.

The BECU Foundation is looking for member candidates who embody the people helping people philosophy by actively giving back to their community, whether through volunteering or through other meaningful contributions of time, effort, and care. If this describes you, we encourage you to apply.

This renewable scholarship can be awarded for up to two years. Sixty-four students will be selected to receive 2-year awards worth $2,500 per year for up to $5,000. Eligible students may attend 2-year or 4-year colleges or universities.

This application is now closed.

 

BECU Foundation Scholarship Eligibility

To be eligible for a BECU Foundation Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:   

  • Applicants must be a member of BECU and be the primary account holder at the time of application. The account can be joint with a parent/guardian, but the applicant must be listed as the primary on at least one account.
  • Applicants must be a graduating high school senior, or a student currently enrolled in a credit-bearing, accredited, nonprofit technical, two-year, or four-year college or university. Students of graduate programs are not eligible.  
  • Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA through Fall 2023
  • All scholarship recipients must be attending school full-time and enrolled in an accredited, nonprofit post-secondary institution in the United States for the academic year following the scholarship award.  
  • Relatives of any member of the BECU Foundation, the BECU Board of Directors, the BECU Supervisory Committee, the BECU Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee, or the BECU Executive Management Team, the BECU Scholarship Selection Team or any family members of the above-mentioned groups are not eligible to apply. 

 

Application opens

12/01/2023

Application closes

1/31/2024

Documents due

2/7/2024

Award notification

4/15/2024

Award acceptance

4/30/2024

Mandatory online orientation

May 2024

BECU Scholarship Application

This application is now closed.

Required Documents

To be considered for the BECU Foundation Scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic year, you must meet the eligibility criteria and complete each step below:

  • Submit an online application by January 31, 2024.
  • Upload the following document to your online application by February 7, 2024:
    • Unofficial transcript
      • High school students: make sure your transcript shows grades through fall 2023 and cumulative GPA.
        • If you are a Running Start student, make sure your college credits are reflected on your transcript.
      • College students: make sure your transcript shows grades through fall 2023 and cumulative GPA.
        • If you have fewer than 20 college credits, also submit your high school transcript.
  • Request the following document through the application portal:
    • Letter of Recommendation: Ensure your recommender submits an online form and a letter of recommendation by February 7, 2024. The recommender will receive an email with a link to complete and submit.

 

Timeline

The 2024-25 application opens on December 1, 2023 and is due on January 31, 2024. Supporting documentation is due February 7, 2024.

Eligibility

I am a college student. Can I still apply?

Yes, college students can apply for the BECU Foundation scholarship as long as you are attending an accredited, not-for-profit college or university as a freshman, sophomore, or junior in the United States.

If I already have an associate degree, can I apply for the BECU Foundation Scholarship?

If you have completed 90 credits or less and plan to enroll at a not-for-profit college or university as a freshman, sophomore or junior, you can apply.

Can I apply for this scholarship if I’m not planning to enroll full-time?

To be eligible, students must be planning to attend college full-time.

Will I still be able to receive the scholarship if I transfer to another college or attend a different college than I originally reported on my application?

Yes, you can still receive your scholarship as long as you are transferring to an accredited, not-for-profit college or university in the United States.

Application

Which school should I list on the application if I have not made a final decision?

If you are selected, you will be asked to formally accept the offer. At that time, you will be asked to verify your school of attendance.

What information do I need to complete the application?

Before starting your application, gather information about:

  • The academic program you plan to attend in the fall and the degree you are seeking.
  • Unofficial transcripts from your high school and post-secondary degree programs
  • Information about your volunteer service and other activities over the previous four years, including organization name, hours spent on the activity, timing of participation, and a brief description of responsibilities
  • The name and contact information for someone who can provide a letter of recommendation for you (preferably someone who can speak about your community service work). You will be asked to respond to short answers about your motivation for higher education and ways you contribute to your community outside of school or formal volunteering roles.

What are unofficial transcripts?

Unofficial transcripts may be accessed through your school’s online student portal. These pages must still be converted to one of the acceptable file formats. There are free tools available that will allow you to save various documents (including web pages) as a PDF. Unofficial transcripts must contain your name, the school’s name and contact information. Your cumulative GPA and Fall 2022 grades must be included as well.

How can I update information on my application once it has been submitted?

Once you have submitted your application, you cannot make corrections or provide updates through the online application portal. If you need to update the information you provided, please email us the corrections or changes. Be sure to include in your email your full name, date of birth, preferred phone number, and school or college you have last attended.

Selection

What are the selection criteria?

An independent selection committee consisting of community members representing a diverse business and education background will evaluate the applications and select the winners. Selection is limited to members of BECU. The committee will consider:

  • Commitment to community service
  • Leadership potential
  • Min. 2.5 GPA

Decisions of the selection committees are final and are not subject to appeal. No application feedback will be given.

I don’t meet all of the criteria to apply this year but think I may next year. Can I re-apply then?

Yes, you may apply again next year.

If I am not selected this year, will I be able to re-apply again next year?

Yes, you may apply again next year.

May I apply for more than one scholarship administered by College Success Foundation (CSF)?

Yes, you may apply for more than one scholarship administered by CSF. Please visit our scholarship page for all scholarship opportunities.

How many years can I receive the scholarship?

You can receive your scholarship for up to 2 years.

What if you are selected?

  • Notifications are sent to recipients and applicants not selected to receive an award via email  by mid-April. Recipients will receive an email with an Acceptance link, or they can log in to their account and a link will be displayed on the home page following the notification.
  • Add  scholarshipservices@collegesuccessfoundation.org and info@smapply.com to your email address book or “safe senders list” to ensure these important emails are not sent to your junk mail folder.
  • Do not ‘opt out’ of any email sent from  scholarshipservices@collegesuccessfoundation.org and info@smapply.com. You may not receive vital information regarding your scholarship applications.

Note: Your email address will only be used to communicate with you about your scholarship applications or other opportunities administered by College Success Foundation for which you may be eligible to apply. We will not provide your email address to any third parties.

What are my responsibilities if I am chosen as a recipient?

You must enroll as a full-time undergraduate student in the fall of the year in which the scholarships are awarded, continue the entire academic year without interruption unless approved by scholarship sponsor, and notify College Success Foundation of any changes to your enrollment and should your check not arrive within 30 days of the issue date.

Disbursement

When is my check going to be mailed?

Your check is cut the day listed in the “Payment Information” section of this site. You can also check a customized email sent to you in July confirming your school of attendance, disbursement amounts and disbursement dates of your scholarship.

I don’t see my scholarship check applied to my account. What can I do?

We recommend you give it 10 business days for the check to arrive in the mail at your school and for your school to apply your funds to your account. If after 10 business days from the date published in the “Payment Information” section you contact your financial aid office and they tell you they haven’t received your scholarship, please contact us so that we can cancel that check and issue a new one.

How do I change my college choice?

You may update your final school choice on to your acceptance form or by contacting College Success Foundation. If you are chosen to receive an award, it will be your responsibility to make sure your college is updated at least 30 days prior to the check issue date stated in the award notification so your check can be issued accordingly. This will not update any application or acceptance forms; however, all awards are issued based on information entered on the Acceptance form.

How will my dollar amount award be disbursed?

Awards are divided in equal amounts per academic term based on the number of credits you are enrolled.  We cannot disburse full year awards in just one term.

Renewal

How do I renew the scholarship for a second year?

The scholarship is renewable once following the initial award year. The scholarship is not able to be used toward graduate studies. Both award years must be during undergraduate enrollment.

To renew for a second year, recipients must:

  • Complete the annual renewal process by June 30:
    • fill out the end-of-year form online;
    • upload the donor update
    • upload an unofficial college transcript.
  • Maintain continuous full-time undergraduate enrollment in an accredited two-year, four-year, or technical college or university (post-graduate, M.A. or PhD candidates are not eligible for renewal)
  • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher

Are scholarships taxable?

In the United States, scholarship funds used exclusively for the payment of tuition and fees are normally not taxable. The scholarship recipient is responsible for taxes, if any, that may be assessed against their scholarship award. We recommend consulting your tax advisor for more guidance.


Questions?

For additional information regarding the scholarship program, send an email to scholarshipservices@collegesuccessfoundation.org

Next Steps

ALL students who received a scholarship offer letter should complete this form, whether or not they are accepting the scholarship.

  • Students who are accepting the scholarship will have the opportunity to review and accept the terms of the scholarship. Failure to complete the acceptance form by the deadline may result in losing your scholarship.
  • Upload your donor thank you note (instructions below).
  • Students who are declining the scholarship must also complete the form to formally decline the scholarship.

Accept/decline your scholarship

Deadline: April 30, 2024

Thanking Your Donor

Scholarship recipients receiving the BECU Scholarship must complete a thank you note for their donor.

Scholar Update/Thank You Template & Instructions

End of Year/Renewal Form for BECU Foundation Scholarship

Instructions

ALL BECU Foundation scholars must complete the end of year form and donor update each Spring to let us know whether or not they will be renewing the scholarship for the following academic year. 

In the form, you will be able to indicate to us whether:

  • You are renewing your BECU Scholarship for the next academic year;
  • You have graduated; OR
  • You are not renewing the scholarship because you no longer meet the renewal criteria.

If you are graduating or not planning to renew, please complete the end of year form and donor update to formally decline the scholarship.

The form will be open on May 1 and must be completed by the June 30 deadline every year. Failure to complete this process by the deadline may result in losing your scholarship.

Complete your form

Continued Eligibility Requirements

To continue receiving the BECU Scholarship, recipients must meet the eligibility criteria below. Your scholarship will be cancelled if you do not meet all the requirements:

  1. Complete the annual renewal process by June 30:
    • fill out the end-of-year form online;
    • upload the donor update; and,
    • upload an unofficial college transcript.
  2. Maintain continuous full-time undergraduate enrollment in an accredited two-year, four-year, or technical college or university (post-graduate, M.A. or PhD candidates are not eligible for renewal)
  3. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better

Students who do not complete this process may lose their scholarship.

The following are not requirements for renewal; however, we recommend that you:

  • Keep contact information current so we can stay in touch with you regarding your scholarship. If there are any changes to your email, phone, or address please send updated information in an email.
  • Watch for emails from us: You may receive requests to attend events or participate in media activities. If so, we hope you will participate! You can also serve as a role model or mentor to other students.
  • Please check your spam settings—be sure to add scholarshipservices@collegesuccessfoundation.org as an approved sender if needed.

Deadline: The form will open on May 1 and must be completed by June 30 every year.

Scholar Update Instructions

Continuing scholarship recipients receiving the BECU Scholarship must complete a scholar update for their donor.

Scholar Update Template & Instructions

BECU Foundation Emergency Funds

Current recipients of the BECU Foundation Scholarship qualify for funds to cover an emergency or an unusual, unforeseen, unexpected, or unavoidable expense and are in need of funding beyond their financial aid and/or scholarship award.

Award Amount

Students may request up to $1,500 per request and there is no minimum request amount. Students cannot receive more than $3,000 in Emergency Funds in an academic year (fall, winter, and spring terms)

Eligible emergency expenses:

  • Food/meals
  • Shelter/housing
  • Educational expenses (i.e., supplies, books, etc.)
  • Medical expenses/emergencies
  • Childcare
  • Transportation costs/repair
  • Work-related expenses (i.e., boots, tools, etc.)
  • Other need-based expenses

Apply for Emergency Funds

Questions?

Contact Scholarship Services about the emergency funds eligibility and application. You can also make an appointment with a scholarship staff member here.

 

How You Will Receive the Scholarship

We will email you in August to confirm where you will be attending college and the amount you’ve been awarded per term.

Funds can be used for tuition, fees, housing, food, books, transportation and personal expenses as detailed in the cost of attendance.

Your scholarship check will be sent directly to the financial aid office at your college following this schedule:

Fall Semester 8/2/2023
Fall Quarter 8/2/2023
Winter Quarter 11/15/2023
Spring Semester 11/15/2023
Spring Quarter 3/6/2024

 

Please allow processing time for the college/university to apply the scholarship funds to your student account and revise your financial aid. In some cases, the funds may not be applied to your account until after the start of the term. Please follow up with your college/university’s financial aid office to determine the timing of the scholarship payment.

Your scholarship will be divided equally over the number of terms of enrollment at your college/university. You must be enrolled full-time and meet your college’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy in order to receive the funding.

If you are not enrolled full-time at the start of the term, your scholarship funding will be delayed until the matter has been resolved. Generally, BECU Scholarship recipients must be enrolled full-time each term. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Applicant Questions and Document Submission

If you have questions about your application or to submit supporting documentation, please email us. Include in your email:

  • Full name
  • Any previous names
  • Date of birth
  • Preferred phone number
  • Preferred email address

This will allow us to identify your application and answer any questions.

Phone: Call toll-free (877) 655-4097 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. PST time Monday through Friday.

If you have trouble logging into the application, please contact the Helpdesk.

Current Scholars

Questions about scholarship disbursements, additional funds, extension of your scholarship, etc.:

Questions about College Support Services: