Where do I apply?

CFFC has an online scholarship portal for all applications. To access this, visit the “Scholarships” page of our website at www.cffayettepa.org and use the “Click Here to Apply” button. You will need to create an account for the online portal.

When can I apply?

Please refer to the “Scholarships” page of our website at www.cffayettepa.org for the current year’s application timeline. In general, applications will be available after the start of a new year, with a deadline in spring.

Do I need a super-high GPA to apply for a scholarship?

NO! CFFC has 50 scholarship opportunities for students and the requirements vary. Some focus on high academic achievement, but most focus on supporting a well-rounded student with a good work ethic and desire to succeed.

What will I need?

• High school seniors NEED the email address of a person in your school who can upload your transcript and/or report card. This could be your guidance counselor, guidance office secretary, school librarian, or some other school official.
• Current post-secondary students NEED a PDF copy of their most recent college or other post-secondary school transcript. Official transcripts are preferred, but if that’s not possible or too costly, you may submit an unofficial transcript.
  • If your school will not send a transcript directly to you, you may ask them to send it to our office by emailing it to: soakes@cffayettepa.org
  • If you have a special circumstance email us and talk it over: soakes@cffayettepa.org
• SOME OF YOU MAY NEED your FAFSA report, showing your Student Aid Index number. If you don’t have your SAI number yet, visit StudentAid.gov to complete the FAFSA form.
• SOME OF YOU MAY NEED a document from the financial aid office of your school of choice, showing your estimate of costs and aid.
• SOME OF YOU MAY NEED the email address of someone who can provide a letter of recommendation.

I have an account and I’ve gathered all the info I need. Now what?

• Log in to CFFC’s scholarship portal and click APPLY, then you’ll see the Universal Application and a handful of stand-alone applications.
• Complete and submit the Universal Application. BUT YOU ARE NOT FINISHED!
• Based on the answers you give in the Universal, you will be given the opportunity to apply for specific programs. You will need to answer additional questions and provide more information for those programs.
• Submit each and every application for those specific programs.

When and how will I know if I’ve received a scholarship?

• We generally notify awardees in the summer. Please refer to the current year’s timeline on the “Scholarships” page of our website. Award notifications will come by email ONLY, so please keep an eye on your inbox.
• We do not notify students whose applications have been declined, but your status will display on your Applicant Dashboard about two weeks after we have made our final decisions.

What happens if I receive an award?

• When you receive your award notification email, you will be directed back to CFFC’s scholarship portal to complete a follow-up form. Basically, you must give us the information that we need to process the payment, as well as agreeing to the terms of the scholarship.
• As long as we have your complete and submitted follow up form, we start processing payment TO YOUR SCHOOL.

How much could I be awarded?

It’s hard to say, because CFFC has so many scholarship opportunities and the awards vary a lot. Generally, awards range from about $500 to over $5,000.

So the payment will go to my school?

• Yes, CFFC sends the award payment directly to your school. Most awards are sent via ACH transfer.
• CFFC awards are only to be used to offset tuition and related instructional expenses (like books, fees, equipment, etc.) NOT for room, board, or transportation.
• We also instruct the school to apply half the award to your Fall Semester, and half to your Spring semester.

Is an award just a one-time thing?

• Most CFFC scholarship awards are one-time awards, but a few are renewable.
• CFFC also has scholarship opportunities for students who are already enrolled in post-secondary schools, so you can come back to the website when you’re in college and apply again.