Apply Online for Bay Area Community Foundation Scholarships
By filling out one online application, you can apply to numerous scholarships at one time. Applications for our BACF scholarships are available each year on November 1 and are due on the first Monday in February. To help prepare for the scholarship application, you can begin to gather the following items:
- Two letters of recommendation: One letter must be school-related; one letter may be either personal or professional.
- A copy of your transcript
- Completed FAFSA and Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number: We will need one form of confirmation of completion. Please ensure your name is on it. [Click here to learn more about the application process and the required documentation]
- An essay between 2,500-3,000 characters (spaces count): What is your most meaningful achievement? How does it relate to your future goals? Why are you deserving of a scholarship?
- A “portrait” photo: This will be used for a scholarship booklet and presentation announcing the awards. It will not be used in the process to determine awards. If you do not supply a quality photo, you may not appear in the booklet. Photos must show your face clearly. Many students use their senior photos. However, please note that we cannot legally print any photos that still contain a watermark or logo of the photographer. If your senior photos are not ready at the time of application, please attach another acceptable photo and send in the new photo when it is ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Scholarship FAQ
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What is an EFC and where do I get one? Open or Close
The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is a measure of your family’s financial strength and is calculated according to a formula established by law. Your family’s taxed and untaxed income, assets, and benefits (such as unemployment or Social Security) are all considered in the formula. Also considered are your family size and the number of family members who will attend college during the year. Note: Your EFC is not the amount of money your family will have to pay for college nor is it the amount of federal student aid you will receive. It is a number used by your school to calculate the amount of federal student aid you are eligible to receive.
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Where can I find the criteria for the scholarships? Open or Close
You can find a list of all available scholarships and their criteria by clicking on the scholarship criteria here.
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Who is eligible for a scholarship? Open or Close
We have scholarships that are available for high school seniors, current college students, and adults who are attending college later in life that reside in Bay and Arenac counties.
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What does it mean when a scholarship states “financial need” as a criteria? Open or Close
The Bay Area Community Foundation defines financial need as someone who has an EFC greater than 6000 (not eligible for Pell Grant Funds) but lower than 20,000.
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When filling out my online application, it does not list a scholarship that I believe I’m eligible for. What do I do? Open or Close
You should call the BACF offices to inquire as to why that particular scholarship is not showing up for you. DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR SCHOLARSHIP. You are only able to submit your application one time. If you submit before selected all possible scholarship you will not be able to add any additional scholarships.
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When will my references receive an email? Open or Close
Your reference will not receive an email until after you submit your application. Please make sure you submit your application well before the deadline so that your reference will receive adequate notice.
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How can I check to see if my references have submitted their forms? Open or Close
Log into your account. In the scholarship applicant menu, select “references.”
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Can I resend an email to my references if they have not completed the form? Open or Close
Yes. Log into your account. In the scholarship applicant menu, select “references.” As long as they have not already submitted a letter, there will be an option to “send email.”
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When is the deadline to submit my scholarship application? Open or Close
Applications for our BACF scholarships are available each year on November 1 and are due on the first Monday in February.
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Who should I contact if I am having trouble with the website? Open or Close
Call the Great Lakes Bay College and Career Resource Center (part of Bay Area Community Foundation) at 989-893-6026 or 989-893-4438.
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Where can I go to find other scholarship resources or to get college planning help? Open or Close
The Great Lakes Bay College and Career Resource Center is open all year round and has numerous resources available to assist students with choosing a major, selecting which college to attend, financial aid (including FAFSA), and scholarships. All of this is offered for FREE. Simply call the office at (989) 893-6026 or go online at glbcollegeresource.org for more information
Area Community Foundation defines financial need as someone who has an EFC greater than 6000 (not eligible for Pell Grant Funds) but lower than 20,000.
