California Scholarship Federation

WHAT IS CSF?

The California Scholarship Federation (CSF) emphasizes high academic standards, community service, and citizenship for California high school students. Founded in 1921, and with over 1600 chapters, the California Scholarship Federation is the oldest scholarship institution in the state of California.

MEMBERSHIP INFO

CSF membership is based on scholarship and citizenship only. At the end of each school year, a new membership drive will take place using grades from the final report card. A point system specified in the CSF State By-Laws establishes membership requirements and the student must earn sufficient points from pre-approved course lists. Since Springs Charter Schools have moved to an annual grading period, students will apply for membership using their final report cards in the Spring. They will compute CSF points for the annual grades. If they meet membership requirements, CSF eligibility is secured for both semesters of that school year.

SCHOLASTIC QUALIFICATIONS

Students must earn a minimum of 10 CSF points from their final 2021-2022 grades
– The first 4 points must be from LIST I
– The first 7 points (including the 4 points described in a) must be from LISTS I and II.
– The remaining points may come from any LIST (I, II, or III).
No more than 5 courses may be used to qualify.
No CSF points are given for physical education, courses taken in lieu of physical education, subjects repeated to improve a grade, courses including clerking and office/teaching assistant, and courses taken on a pass/fail basis.
CSF Points are granted as follows:

A = 3 CSF Points
B = 1 CSF Point
C = 0 CSF Points
D or F in any course = Disqualified from membership

*1 additional CSF point shall be granted for a grade of A or B in an AP or Honors course, up to a maximum of 2 such points per application period

*Students who take college courses concurrent with their high school courses shall be granted the same number of CSF points as if taken at the high school. If a college course would be considered a LIST I course at your school, the student may use it for LIST I; if it would be a LIST II course at your school, it may be used for LIST II. College courses do not receive any additional points unless designated as honors by the college.

*Summer school courses may NEVER count for semester membership. Students are expected to take the necessary number of courses each year to earn CSF membership.

LIFE (SEALBEARER) MEMBERSHIP

Requirements for Life (Sealbearer) Membership:

(a) A student completing senior high school work in 5 or 6 semesters (not including grade 9) must earn CSF membership in at least 4 of the last 5 or 6 semesters; one of those semester memberships must be earned with senior grades. (Grades earned in the final semester, just before graduation, may be used to meet this requirement.)

(b) A student completing high school work in 4 semesters (not including grade 9) must earn CSF membership in at least 3 semesters.

*Please note, associate membership cannot count toward life membership

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS*

(a) Associate members shall be second-semester ninth-graders and first-semester tenth-graders whose grades meet CSF requirements, or junior high transfers in their first semester of attendance who are Honor Members of the California Junior Scholarship Federation.

(b) No student may be an associate member after the first sophomore semester. Associate members must be allowed full semester membership privileges with the exception that this membership cannot count toward life (Sealbearer) membership.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR LIFE MEMBERS

Gold Honor Cord to wear at graduation
Official CSF Life Membership Pin
Gold seal on diploma
“CSF Life Member” noted on transcript
Eligible for special CSF life membership scholarships

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Since Springs Charter Schools are now on an annual grading period, students will only apply for membership ONCE a year. The application window will open once final report cards are issued in May. The window will remain open until the last Friday in September (using only classes/grades from the previous school year to qualify).

If membership requirements are met, CSF eligibility is secured for both the Fall and Spring semesters of the school year.

*Seniors who believe they are on track for life membership must contact CSF Chapter Adviser, Madeline Holkeboer in early April to plan for graduation accolades

MEMBERSHIP DUES

Membership is applied for annually using the final report card in the Spring. If membership requirements are met, CSF eligibility is secured for both semesters of that school year. Dues are $5 per semester ($10 annually) and can be paid via cash/check. More details will be provided in an acceptance email.

HOW TO APPLY

Step 1

Print and fill out the application below:

Step 2

Obtain a copy of last years report card

Step 3

Email completed application and a copy of your report card to madeline.holkeboer@springscs.org

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