CSF Provides Students with Scholarship and Award Opportunities
California State Seal of Civic Engagement
The California State Board of Education (SBE) has announced a recognition program awarding the State Seal of Civic Engagement to California Students who demonstrate excellence in civics education and participation, and an understanding of the United States Constitution, the California Constitution, and the democratic system of government.
Beginning with the 2020-21 school year, students may submit an application for the State Seal of Civic Engagement (SSCE). The deadline to submit an application is April 23rd. Students will be asked to identify an adult reference who is knowledgeable about the student’s project and can speak to the impact the activities have left on the community.
More information for applying for this award can be found here.
To qualify for the State Seal of Civic Engagement, a student must:
1. Be engaged in academic work in a productive way;
2. Demonstrate a competent understanding of U.S. and California constitutions; functions and governance of local governments; tribal government structures and organizations; the role of the citizen in a constitutional democracy; and democratic principles, concepts, and processes;
3. Participate in one or more informed civic engagement project(s) that address real-world problems and require students to identify and inquire into civic needs or problems, consider varied responses, take action, and reflect on efforts;
4. Demonstrate civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions through self-reflection; and
5. Exhibit character traits that reflect civic-mindedness and a commitment to positively impact the classroom, school, community and/or society.
Awards/Scholarships
Sealbearer/Life Member
A Life Member or Sealbearer (the terms are used interchangeably) is a student who has earned at least four semesters of membership based on grades earned in 10th through 12th, with one of the semesters based on senior grades. Lifebearers will be awarded with a certificate and the following at graduation: CSF gold seal on diploma, CSF Lifebearer Status on Transcript, CSF Lifemember Gold Pin, CSF Gold Honor Tassel, and CSF Gold Honor Cord.
Michelson Scholarship
Glenn Michelson (pictured left), a beloved member of the CSF family, was a strong advocate of service to our communities. Upon his death, Glenn bequeathed funds for this award to recognize students who also have a passion for service, which led to the beginning of the Michelson Scholarship. The Michelson Award is available to all seniors who are members of a CSF chapter in good standing. Eligibility is NOT limited to Sealbearers as it was when the award first began.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline Date: December 22 (In honor of his birthday, same every year) by 11:59:59 pm PST. Applications will be accepted beginning November 1, 2020 and is open to all Senior CSF members.
Requirements: CSF senior, fill out the online form, 1000 word maximum essay
Essay Prompt: Describe a volunteer experience you have had and its impact on you and your community.
More Information Regarding Scholarship: https://csf-cjsf.org/csf-awards/
The Charles and Marian H. Seymour Memorial Award was established to honor the founders of the California Scholarship Federation.
Over $100,000 is awarded to a group of 50 graduating Sealbearers each year. Each spring, regional subcommittees of five advisers choose outstanding Life Members (Sealbearers) from among candidates nominated by their advisers by the February deadline within each of the five regions. The application includes an application, essay, and letters of recommendation. Each spring, regional committees choose 50 Seymour Finalists from among the candidates nominated by their chapter advisers. Each of these Finalists will be presented with a $2,000 award at their regional spring conference. After interviews, one from each of the five regions is selected as the Seymour Regional Award Winner. These regional winners will receive an additional award of $3,000.
The award is now regarded as one of the highest scholastic honors given to secondary school graduates in the state of California.
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Students must be nominated by their CSF Adviser.
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Nominations open: January 1st.
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Nomination deadline: February 18th, every year.
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Student finalists must attend the spring conference in his or her region.
Seymour nomination packets are sent to advisers in late November and due mid-February. Advisers may nominate two seniors.
More Information Regarding Scholarship: https://csf-cjsf.org/csf-awards/
Seymour Award (Scholarship)