Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a Dollars for Scholars scholarship?
Generally, Dollars for Scholars chapters provide scholarships to graduating high school seniors planning to attend any accredited postsecondary educational institution. Search the list of California chapters. If there is a chapter in your area, contact the chapter volunteer directly to find out how to apply for their scholarships. If there is not a chapter in your area, talk to your guidance counselor about starting a Dollars for Scholars chapter at your school.
Why should I start a Dollars for Scholars chapter?
Dollars for Scholars provides an effective, proven way for you and your community to provide academic support and financial aid to local students.
It’s a fact: The cost of college keeps rising at a rapid pace, two or even three times the Consumer Price Index since 1980. Moreover, inflation-adjusted tuition has more than doubled in the past 15 years. This means that the very thing many have always believed holds the key to our society’s future—a postsecondary education—is now beyond the financial grasp of many of those who are society’s future.
The Dollars for Scholars program empowers communities and groups to help themselves by helping to educate their young people. In turn, it inspires students to achieve by showing that others care about them and their future. For more information on the benefits of starting a Dollars for Scholars chapter, click here.
How does a Dollars for Scholars chapter operate?
A Dollars for Scholars chapter is a foundation – made up of concerned community and school members – that raises scholarship money and provides financial and academic support to local students. Since it is run by local volunteers, each Dollars for Scholars chapter determines how it can best work to meet the needs of local students. In many communities, Dollars for Scholars provides a way for all local scholarships to be coordinated and distributed. The result is a single application process with more resources reaching more students. Individual donors or organizations continue to be recognized for their contribution to a community-wide scholarship.
Who raises the scholarship funds and makes the decisions on how they are distributed to students?
Chapter volunteers raise money for their chapter’s scholarship fund with some assistance from the regional office. Chapter volunteers also decide how to distribute funds to students, including the number of scholarships, the amount of each scholarship and which students receive scholarships. Each chapter determines it’s own awards policy and whether they want to give scholarships based on merit, need, community service or some other factor – as long as the process is non-discriminatory.
What is a Collegiate Partner?
Collegiate Partners are colleges, universities and other accredited postsecondary institutions that demonstrate their commitment to the development of private sector student aid by supporting the mission of Scholarship America and the Dollars for Scholars program. Collegiate Partner institutions agree to apply Dollars for Scholars chapter awards to fill any unmet student need up to at least $2,500 remaining after the institution's financial aid package has been calculated.
When unmet need no longer exists, Dollars for Scholars chapter awards will be used to adjust the self-help portion of students' financial aid package, with preference that loans be reduced before work-study.
When need is fully met, treatment of the portion of Dollars for Scholars chapter awards that exceed ceiling selection will be at the institution's discretion.
Matching Partner schools will match Dollars for Scholars scholarships (the amount varies by school.)
What is the cost of being a Dollars for Scholars chapter?
The affiliation fee for a California Dollars for Scholars chapter is $500. The cost for subsequent years is $350 for the 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, access to the Collegiate Partner system and the complete program that is helping thousands of students continue their education each year all across the United States.
How does California Dollars for Scholars support itself with chapter fees that are so low?
California Dollars for Scholars raises money to pay its expenses through a combination of grants, corporate and individual donors and special events. For more information on supporting California Dollars for Scholars, visit the Donate section of this website.
Is California Dollars for Scholars a reputable charity?
Dollars for Scholars is the largest, grassroots, volunteer-driven scholarship organization in the United States. Scholarship America, California Dollars for Scholars’ parent organization, has received seven consecutive Four Star Ratings from Charity Navigator, the nation's leading evaluator of non-profit fiscal responsibility—a feat achieved by only 1% of American charities. This means that the money goes where it belongs—to expanding programming and helping more students.
Because College Doesn't Happen By Chance®.
