ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Female, residing in Contra Costa County, California
- A minimum 3.5 cumulative unweighted GPA
- Be active in community service
- Be in need of financial aid - Your Student Aid Index (SAI) from your FASFA Submission Summary (FSS) must be no more than $40,000
- A graduating High School Senior or Junior/Community College student who will be attending a 4-year College/University in the Fall
SCHOLARSHIP GUIDELINES
It is the scholarship applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all of the items in the online Scholarship Application have been completed and received by BSF by the due date including requested information, letters, school transcripts, recommendation letters and other forms. Incomplete applications shall be given no recognition and no response.
Scholarship funds are payable directly to the scholarship awardee's 4-year College/University and are only to be used for school expenses including tuition, room & board, and books.
BSF scholarships are awarded annually and students are granted only one BSF scholarship in their lifetime. If awarded a BSF scholarship as a graduating high school senior, the scholarship awardee may not apply again as a graduating student from a community college.
If the scholarship awardee does not attend a 4 year College/University, the scholarship funds will be held for the scholarship awardee for 4 years from the date the scholarship was awarded. After that time, the scholarship awardee forfeits their right to the scholarship funds.
Scholarship funds are payable directly to the scholarship awardee's 4-year College/University and are only to be used for school expenses including tuition, room & board, and books.
BSF scholarships are awarded annually and students are granted only one BSF scholarship in their lifetime. If awarded a BSF scholarship as a graduating high school senior, the scholarship awardee may not apply again as a graduating student from a community college.
If the scholarship awardee does not attend a 4 year College/University, the scholarship funds will be held for the scholarship awardee for 4 years from the date the scholarship was awarded. After that time, the scholarship awardee forfeits their right to the scholarship funds.
REQUESTING AN APPLICATION
If you meet the eligibility requirements listed in our “ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS” section on this page and would like to apply for the BSF Scholarship, please complete the Request a Scholarship Application form at the bottom of this page.
The online application will request information outlined in our "INFORMATION NEEDED TO COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION" section on this page. It often takes longer than people anticipate to gather all of the required information. Thus, we suggest that you review the "INFORMATION NEEDED TO COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION" section on this page to understand the qualifications and what information we will request from you to facilitate the completion of the online application. It will be easier for you to complete the application if you have all the PDF documents ready to upload prior to completing the application. Please see the “FAQs” section on this page for additional information.
The online application period for 2025 opens Wednesday, January 15, 2025 and will close at midnight on Saturday, March 1, 2025. Thus, all completed application packages must be received by Saturday, March 1, 2025. The 2026 application dates will be opened mid-January 2026.
Questions regarding the online application process can be sent to [email protected]
The online application will request information outlined in our "INFORMATION NEEDED TO COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION" section on this page. It often takes longer than people anticipate to gather all of the required information. Thus, we suggest that you review the "INFORMATION NEEDED TO COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION" section on this page to understand the qualifications and what information we will request from you to facilitate the completion of the online application. It will be easier for you to complete the application if you have all the PDF documents ready to upload prior to completing the application. Please see the “FAQs” section on this page for additional information.
The online application period for 2025 opens Wednesday, January 15, 2025 and will close at midnight on Saturday, March 1, 2025. Thus, all completed application packages must be received by Saturday, March 1, 2025. The 2026 application dates will be opened mid-January 2026.
Questions regarding the online application process can be sent to [email protected]
INFORMATION NEEDED TO COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION
The following information is needed to complete your application online. It often takes longer than people anticipate to gather all of the required information. Thus, we suggest that you review the information on this page before starting your application. It will be easier for you to complete the application if you have all the PDF documents ready to upload prior to completing the application.
APPLICATION DEADLINE DATE: MIDNIGHT SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 2025
It is the applicant's responsibility to request and ensure that all requested information from Counselors/School Advisors and Recommenders are sent directly via the Counselor/Student Advisor Verification and Transcript Form and/or the Recommendation Letter Form by the application deadline date of Saturday, March 1, 2025.
Questions regarding the online application process can be sent to [email protected]
- Family Financial Situation Letter - Please upload a PDF of a letter describing your family's financial situation and why you need financial help to attend college. Consider including any details or financial challenges or constraints that may affect your ability to pursue higher education.
- Financial Need Documentation - We use the Eligibility Overview, specifically the Student Aid Index (SAI), from the FASFA Submission Summary (FSS) as documentation of financial need. If you have:
2A. Received your FSS, please upload a PDF of your Eligibility Overview from the FSS. Include the page(s) that shows ONLY your 1) Name, 2) Estimated Federal Student Aid, and 3) Student Aid Index (SAI). Please ensure that NO OTHER personal information (ie Social Security, Birthdate, Driver's License etc) OTHER THAN your name, estimated federal student aid and SAI are shown on the page(s) you upload.
2B. Submitted your FASFA form but not received your FSS, please upload a PDF of your FASFA confirmation email confirming your submission and showing ONLY your 1) Name and 2) Estimated Student Aid Index (SAI). Please ensure that NO OTHER personal information (ie Social Security, Birthdate, Driver's License etc) OTHER THAN your name and SAI are shown on the page(s) you upload. Once you receive your FSS, you should send your Eligibility Overview from the FSS to [email protected].
2C. Not submitted your FASFA form, you must complete a FASFA Form in order to apply for a BSF scholarship. Please complete your FASFA form before submitting this application. - Counselor/Advisor Verification and Transcript Form - Please request that your Counselor/Advisor email [email protected] requesting the link to the Counselor/Advisor Verification and Transcript Form as they will be required to 1) verify that you are a full time student in good standing at their school and are ready to graduate and move on to a 4 year College/University in the Fall AND 2) upload a copy of your transcripts. In the subject line of the email, please ask them to title the email as follows: your last name, your first name - Request Link for Counselor/Advisor Verification and Transcript Form. This form is different than a recommendation letter.
- Cost of Attendance - A screenshot or print out of the Cost of Attendance from the College/University's website. Please save the Cost of Attendance as a PDF, make sure your name is at the top of the document and name the file as follows: your last name, your first name - Cost of Attendance (ie Doe, Jane - Cost of Attendance)
- College Financing Plan - If received, a PDF copy of the College Financing Plan or Financial Aid Summary from the College/University. Please save the College Financing Plan as a PDF, make sure your name is at the top of the document and name the file as follows: your last name, your first name - College Financing Plan (ie Doe, Jane - College Financing Plan)
- Personal Interest Letter - In a 1-2 page letter, tell us about a moment, routine, or challenge that defines your everyday experience. How does this reflect your journey, values, and the obstacles you face or overcome? What drives you to keep moving forward, and how would this scholarship help you pursue your dreams? Please save the letter as a PDF, make sure your name is at the top of the document and name the file as follows: your last name, your first name - Personal Interest Letter (ie Doe, Jane - Personal Interest Letter)
- Recommendation Letter - Counselor/Advisor or Teacher - Please request the person providing your School Counselor/Advisor or Teacher Recommendation Letter email [email protected] requesting the link to the Recommendation Letter Form so that they may upload a copy of their recommendation letter. In the subject line of the email, please ask them to title the email as follows: your last name, your first name - Request Link for Recommendation Letter Form.
- Recommendation Letter - Community Service/Work - Please request a letter of recommendation from someone in the community who knows you through community service or work and ask them to email [email protected] requesting the link to the Recommendation Letter Form so that they may upload a copy of their recommendation letter. In the subject line of the email, please ask them to title the email as follows: your last name, your first name - Request Link for Recommendation Letter Form.
- Awards/Extra Curricular Activities - A list of your awards, honors, community service, school, clubs, organizations, athletic and/or other activities including the Award/Activity name, description, approximate time period and hours per week.
- Work Experience - A list of your paid jobs or work experience including jobs or work name, description, approximate time period and hours per week.
- Essay - Please upload a PDF of a 1-2 page essay, sharing an experience, obstacle, or risk that you have taken that has had a significant impact on your life. How did your actions make a difference, and what did you learn from the experience? How did it influence your values, decisions, or goals? Is there anything else that you would like us to know? If so, please add it to the end of your essay
APPLICATION DEADLINE DATE: MIDNIGHT SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 2025
It is the applicant's responsibility to request and ensure that all requested information from Counselors/School Advisors and Recommenders are sent directly via the Counselor/Student Advisor Verification and Transcript Form and/or the Recommendation Letter Form by the application deadline date of Saturday, March 1, 2025.
Questions regarding the online application process can be sent to [email protected]
APPLICATION DEADLINES
2025 Application Deadline Dates:
- Opens – January 15, 2025
- Closes - The online application will be closed at midnight on Saturday, March 1, 2025. Thus, all completed application packages must be received by Saturday, March 1, 2025.
- Notification - After applications have been reviewed, the Scholarship Committee will contact and conduct personal interviews with the semi-finalists as part of the final selection process.
- Incomplete Scholarship Applications - It is the Scholar’s responsibility to ensure that all of the items in the Application package have been received by BSF by the due date. Incomplete applications shall be given no recognition and no response.
- 2026 Scholarship Application Dates - will be opened mid-January 2026
FAQs
How many scholarships does Blackhawk Scholarship Fund give out each year?
We generally give out several scholarships a year, although it varies slightly year to year, depending on the number of qualified applications we receive. Our scholarships are a 1 year scholarship.
Do you fund scholarships for Graduate Students?
Getting an undergraduate degree and continuing on to graduate school is certainly a big success. While BSF applauds those accomplishments, we are currently not offering scholarships for graduate studies.
Your minimum GPA is 3.5 unweighted. My GPA is close, but Iʼm not at that level yet. Can I still apply?
Unfortunately, we have to be firm on our 3.5 unweighted GPA requirement, due to the number of qualified applicants that apply each year. We encourage you to work hard for the rest of this semester, and get your GPA as high as you can. If you reach that 3.5 mark before the deadline, please go ahead and apply! Donʼt forget we will need a copy of your transcript with your GPA listed.
Can I apply for other scholarships if I apply for a BSF scholarship?
Most definitely yes! College is an expensive undertaking and we understand you may need to funding your education in a variety of ways, through academic scholarships, work/study grants etc. We are more than willing to work with you to make sure our scholarship will not interfere with any other funding you are receiving.
How can I tell if I fit your financial need requirements?
We have found financial need means different things to different people, depending on each familyʼs unique situation and dynamics. Financial need is not only determined by the familyʼs income level, but also any extenuating circumstances, hardships, unusual medical bills, etc. There is no firm or fast formula to determine if you are truly “in need”. All applicants for BSF scholarships will be reviewed on an individual basis. The required Family Financial Situation Letter should fully explain your familyʼs financial situation so we can best determine your need for scholarship funding.
Questions regarding the online application process can be sent to [email protected]
We generally give out several scholarships a year, although it varies slightly year to year, depending on the number of qualified applications we receive. Our scholarships are a 1 year scholarship.
Do you fund scholarships for Graduate Students?
Getting an undergraduate degree and continuing on to graduate school is certainly a big success. While BSF applauds those accomplishments, we are currently not offering scholarships for graduate studies.
Your minimum GPA is 3.5 unweighted. My GPA is close, but Iʼm not at that level yet. Can I still apply?
Unfortunately, we have to be firm on our 3.5 unweighted GPA requirement, due to the number of qualified applicants that apply each year. We encourage you to work hard for the rest of this semester, and get your GPA as high as you can. If you reach that 3.5 mark before the deadline, please go ahead and apply! Donʼt forget we will need a copy of your transcript with your GPA listed.
Can I apply for other scholarships if I apply for a BSF scholarship?
Most definitely yes! College is an expensive undertaking and we understand you may need to funding your education in a variety of ways, through academic scholarships, work/study grants etc. We are more than willing to work with you to make sure our scholarship will not interfere with any other funding you are receiving.
How can I tell if I fit your financial need requirements?
We have found financial need means different things to different people, depending on each familyʼs unique situation and dynamics. Financial need is not only determined by the familyʼs income level, but also any extenuating circumstances, hardships, unusual medical bills, etc. There is no firm or fast formula to determine if you are truly “in need”. All applicants for BSF scholarships will be reviewed on an individual basis. The required Family Financial Situation Letter should fully explain your familyʼs financial situation so we can best determine your need for scholarship funding.
Questions regarding the online application process can be sent to [email protected]