SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEES have a responsibility to honor the donor’s intent as outlined in the scholarship criteria. Although criteria may vary from high school attended to selected field of study to robust volunteerism, the two most common criteria are academic merit and financial need. Academic Merit The required grade point average (GPA) is always listed in the eligibility criteria. Consider course rigor when evaluating applicants. The standard application includes the applicant’s transcripts in addition to both the cumulative unweighted GPA and the cumulative weighted GPA. Weighted GPAs take into consideration if a student has taken advanced placement or honors courses. Transcripts may also show SAT and ACT scores. Please see the sample college transcript on page 15 and sample high school transcript on page 16. Financial Need To determine financial need, please refer to the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as reported on the Student Aid Report (SAR). The SAR is the report provided to students after they have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is used to calculate a student’s EFC, which schools use to determine their financial aid award. For a detailed guide for reading a SAR, please see page 17. As noted on the FAFSA website, “The Expected Family Contribution 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.” SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 12 SCHOLARSHIP HANDBOOK