1. How does the scholarship program work?
CFCA determines the number of scholarships that will be offered based on availability of funds and the ability of projects to administer the program. Every dollar contributed to the scholarship program is used for scholarships, since CFCA doesn’t deduct administrative costs from scholarship donations. Currently, 54 of CFCA’s 74 projects participate in the scholarship program. In 2006, CFCA awarded more than $1.9 million through 6,116 scholarships.
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2. How are students selected?
Scholarships are awarded at the discretion of CFCA projects. Contributions cannot be designated for specific students. Rather, CFCA scholarships are awarded to the students deemed most deserving by the project.
The project staff selects scholars based on availability of scholarships and how well a student meets the selection criteria. Scholarship recipients must demonstrate a strong desire to further their education and serve their communities. They must have economic need, good grades, leadership potential and the ability to fulfill the program’s service requirements. Students do not have to be sponsored through CFCA to be considered for the program. Many of the students selected for scholarships have never had the benefit of sponsorship but were chosen because they are deeply committed to serving their communities and meet the other selection criteria.
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3. What assistance do students receive?
CFCA scholarship funds may be used to pay for tuition and related educational expenses such as books, transportation, housing, food and clothing. While CFCA scholarships are not meant to cover the entire expense of a student’s education, they provide a reasonable level of support while promoting individual and family responsibility.
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4. What are some examples of community service the scholarship students perform?
We encourage CFCA projects to design service opportunities related to the student’s educational curriculum and experience. For instance, an engineering student might do a site survey if the project is constructing houses for sponsored members. Or other students might translate letters from sponsors and children. High-school level students might tutor younger children, help them with their letters to sponsors to develop writing skills, assist with field trips, or help organize project activities such as birthday and Christmas celebrations, recreational activities or environmental programs. All scholarship students, both sponsored and non-sponsored, must participate in service activities.
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5. Are scholarships awarded to students at various educational levels? Yes. CFCA scholarships are typically awarded to students in secondary school, vocational school, college or university. However, there is no age restriction for the scholarship program. Students pursuing graduate or professional degrees can be selected as well.
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6. My sponsored youth is in need of additional educational assistance. Can he or she receive a CFCA scholarship?
The projects retain discretion as to which students should receive the limited number of scholarships available. We rely on local project teams to evaluate all candidates and make selections without bias. CFCA-Kansas and sponsors cannot specify or recommend children to receive scholarships. If you wish to give direct help to your sponsored youth in need of additional educational assistance, please see question 7 below.
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7. I would like to contribute money to support my sponsored youth’s education. Can I do this through the CFCA Scholarship Fund?
Contributions to the scholarship fund cannot be designated for specific students. However, CFCA does allow sponsors to contribute to an education fund for their sponsored youth if the youth is currently in need of additional educational assistance for secondary school, vocational school, college or university. To learn more about education funds, please call our Sponsor Services team at (800) 875-6564 or (913) 384-6500 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Central time.
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8. Can our group support a student through the scholarship program and then receive updates on the student’s progress?
The scholarship program is not structured to connect a single donor or donor group to a specific scholarship recipient. If a donor or donor group wishes to correspond with a specific student, we suggest they consider regular sponsorship of an older student on our waiting list. We have many older students who are in need of sponsorship to help them complete their education. Many of these students have only a few years left before graduation. Sponsorship is important for these students because they need the encouragement and support of a sponsor. In turn, the sponsor receives letters and photos from the student.
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9. Will we receive general updates on different youth benefiting from the program?
Donors who support the scholarship program will receive a scholarship newsletter twice a year with success stories and information about the scholarship program. We also include profiles and information about scholars benefiting from the scholarship program in other CFCA publications and on our Web site.
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10. Can I contribute to the scholarship program in any amount and whenever I want, and is my contribution tax deductible?
Yes, you may contribute any amount whenever you wish. And your donations are tax deductible since CFCA is a recognized non-profit organization under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, section 501 (c) 3.
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