Scholarship FAQ

Scholarship funds are charitable accounts established at SVCF by generous individuals, corporations or organizations for the purpose of assisting students in paying for their education. Scholarships do not need to be repaid.

SVCF staff administers the application, selection and award process of SVCF-managed scholarships. Applications are accepted through our online application portal, Apply SVCF. Depending on the scholarship, applications are accepted starting in November, December and January.

While SVCF provides oversight and administers the payment process for donor-involved scholarships, the application and selection processes are managed by an external selection committee appointed by SVCF. The description for each donor-involved scholarship lists a contact person or organization that you should contact for an application or additional information. Applications for donor-involved scholarships are not accepted through Apply SVCF.

Yes. However, if you’ve been previously awarded and have scholarships on hold, you will be disqualified from being a finalist. Students may receive more than one scholarship, if they have no scholarships on hold.

Eligibility criteria are listed under each scholarship program and in the scholarship description(s) and application instructions. Thoroughly read each scholarship program’s eligibility requirements to identify the scholarships for which you may be eligible. You will be matched under the scholarship eligibility section of your application based on these criteria, and eligible scholarships will appear under the “additional requirements” section of your application.

No. While many of our scholarships are for graduating high school seniors, others are open to students already enrolled in college or adults who want to go back to school. Find the scholarships that are right for you.

Our donors understand that not all students take the traditional path in their pursuit of higher education, and some programs, such as The Ruppert Educational Grant Program, provide scholarship support to students who attend vocational schools. Thoroughly review the program descriptions to identify all the scholarships for which you may be eligible.

To be in accordance with IRS policies and guidelines, we cannot award scholarships to students enrolled at correspondence schools or schools that operate exclusively online programs. Schools that offer both on-line classes and in-person classes are eligible.

Yes.

SVCF offers scholarships for a variety of students, including part-time students and students who are likely not to receive other scholarships because of their grades.

Each individual, corporation or organization determines the eligibility criteria when the scholarship fund is established. However, before launching any scholarship program, SVCF’s board of directors reviews and approves the eligibility criteria to ensure that it is fair and nondiscriminatory. Some scholarship funds support residents of a city or county; others are directed to students interested in a specific field of study. Although each scholarship takes financial need into consideration, some scholarships also focus on academic achievement, academic potential or community services. Find the scholarships that are right for you.

Login to the online application portal and update your profile. Be sure that your mailing address, home address, phone numbers and personal email address are up to date.

All scholarship communication will be sent to the email address that you use to login into your application portal. Please match the login email to the personal email on your application.

This is important because regular notifications will be sent out via email. We may also need to contact you directly by phone if we have any questions about your application or required attachments.

Most notifications will be emailed between May and June. We highly recommend you refer to the specific program’s timeline. You can also track the status of your application by logging into the application portal.

No, it is against SVCF’s policies to pay scholarships directly to students. If you are awarded, scholarship payments will be sent to your college financial aid office after you submit verification of admission or enrollment and the Proof of Enrollment form through the online portal.

Yes, but only for one-time scholarships. Renewable scholarships cannot be postponed. Also, if you defer payments, all future payments are contingent upon available scholarship funds. Scholarships can only be held for the duration of your undergraduate studies.

For degree-seeking students who use scholarships for tuition, fees, books and required supplies, the scholarships are usually not taxable. However, any portions of scholarships used for room and board, travel, or miscellaneous expenses are usually taxable. SVCF recommends that you and your parents consult a tax expert for advice.

No. Some scholarships are renewable, provided that recipients meet renewal eligibility requirements, and some scholarships allow prior recipients to reapply in competition with other applicants. Should you be awarded, your award letter will inform you if your scholarship is renewable.

You do not need to request your scholarship. Renewal students will receive an email notification by May with instructions on completing the Renewal Scholarship Form through the online application system.

We encourage all recipients to send thank-you notes.

Thank-you notes can be addressed to Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Attn: Scholarships, 444 Castro Street, Suite 140, Mountain View, California 94041.

To write an informative and thoughtful scholarship thank-you note, be sure to include: Your first and last name, the name of the scholarship program you wish to thank, where you will enroll in the upcoming term, how the scholarship will impact your educational goals and anything about yourself or family that you would like to share.