Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility

• Who is eligible to apply?

  Application eligibility information can be found here.
  

• I am pursuing my master's degree. Am I eligible for a scholarship?

  No. Scholarships are only available to students pursuing their first bachelor's degree or technical certificate.

• My family's income is higher than your limit. Can I still apply?

  Yes.  Be sure to provide an explanation of your family's circumstances in the indicated section of the application.

• Can siblings apply at the same time?

  Yes!  We encourage your siblings to apply.

• Can eligible step children apply?

  Yes! Step children are welcome and eligible to apply.

• I am a part time student.  Am I still eligible?

  Yes! Awards are available for part-time students.

• I would like to attend a community college or trade school. Am I eligible for a scholarship?

  Yes! Be sure that the academic institution you are attending is an accredited school.

• Can I apply for one of the honorary or memorial scholarship listed on your website?

  No. When applicants submit their applications, they are automatically considered for all of our honorary and memorial scholarships.

• How many scholarships do you award each year?

  The number of awarded scholarships varies every year depending on the amount of eligible applications we receive and our fundraising efforts.   In the 2011-2012 academic year, we awarded over 1,600 scholarships. In the 2012-2013 academic year, we awarded over 1,900 scholarships.
  
  

Application

• How do I apply?

  Application steps can be found here.

• When is the application deadline?

  The deadline is March 1 at 11:59 p.m. CST for all applicants.

• While creating an account I was told the User ID has already been used or that the account already exists. I have never tried to log in before, so how can that be?

  For the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation:
  When creating an account, you must create a unique User ID – something that no one else in the system has ever used before. If you received a message that the User ID has already been used, then you will need to register for a different User ID.  Be sure to keep track of your User ID, as you will need this throughout the entire academic year and in the coming academic years. Once you have registered successfully, a confirmation email will be sent to you.
  
  For the application provider:
  To start an application you must create a unique User ID – something that no one else in the system has ever used before. If you receive a message that the account cannot be created because it already exists, then you have tried to create a User ID that is already being used – you will need to try a different User ID. Be sure to keep track of your User ID until after the scholarship deadline has passed. Once you have registered successfully, a confirmation email will be sent to you to help you remember your User ID.

• How do I change my User ID or Password for my account?

  For the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation:
  User ID: Your User ID cannot be changed. If you forget your User ID, go to the login page and click the Forgotten Password/Forgotten User ID button. Follow the online instructions and your information will be emailed to you. DO NOT CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT.
  Password: If you forget your password, go to the login page and click the Forgotten Password/Forgotten User ID button. Enter your User ID or email and your information will be emailed to you. DO NOT CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT.
  
  For the application provider:
  User ID: Your User ID cannot be changed. If you forget your User ID, go to the login page and click the Forgot User ID or Password button and follow the online instructions.
  Password: If you forget your password, go to the login page and click the Forgot User ID or Password button. Follow the online instructions, which will include answering the security question you selected when you first registered. To change your password, log into your account and click the Change Password tab in the navigation menu on the left side of the page.

• When and how do you notify students of their awards?

  All applicants will be notified in May. Notifications will be emailed to the email address entered into the application.

• I am a new applicant or I did not receive a scholarship in the 2012-2013 academic year.  Are any documents required for the application?

  Yes. You will be required to upload the following documents as part of your application in the appropriate sections:

  1. TRANSCRIPT: Current year school transcript that shows a cumulative, unweighted GPA of 2.0 or above
  
  2. 2012 FEDERAL INCOME TAX RETURN: The first two pages of the 2012 Federal Income Tax Return (or 2011 if 2012 has not been filed) you are claimed on or the Statement of Non-filing of a Federal Tax Return AY 2013-14 form
  
  3. MILITARY DOCUMENTS: You will be required to provide one of the following three documents for your Marine/Navy Corpsman parent as proof of their honorable service:
                1. Prior Marines/Navy Corpsmen: DD214 (member-4 version)
                2. Active Duty or Current Reservists: Statement of Service
                3. Marines/Navy Corpsmen that were killed in action, service, or training: Report of Casualty
  
  4. PHOTO: A photo of yourself that is suitable for reproduction in Scholarship Foundation publications and donor relations, and is at least 500KB
  
  

  Additional questions about these documents can be found in the "Application Documents" section of the FAQ.
  
  If applicable, you may also be required to upload one or more of the following documents into your application:
               1. Grandparent Association Document (roster list, membership card, or copy of newsletter with name and address)  - if applicable
               2. The letter assigning the qualifying military parent to the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL) from the Commandant of the Marine Corps - if applicable
               3. Applican't DD214 or Statement of Service - if applicable

• I am a renewal applicant. Are any documents required for my application?

  Yes.  You will be required to upload the following documents as part of your application in the appropriate sections:

  1. TRANSCRIPT: Current year school transcript that shows a cumulative, unweighted GPA of 2.0 or above
  
  2. 2012 FEDERAL INCOME TAX RETURN: The first two pages of the 2012 Federal Income Tax Return (or 2011 if 2012 has not been filed) you are claimed on or the Statement of Non-filing of a Federal Tax Return AY 2013-14 form

  Additional questions about these documents can be found in the "Application Documents" section of the FAQ.

• What do I do if I don't have a scanner?

  Visit your local copy center, your school library, or consider asking a teacher, friend, or family member if they can help you.  Some suggestions include, but are not limited to:
  
                - FedEx
                - UPS Store
                - Mailboxes, Etc.
                - Office Max
                - Staples
  
  Any documents sent by postal mail or fax will not be accepted and will be destroyed.

• What do I do if my document is too large to upload?

  Consult with your school's computer lab technicians or search online for tips on re-sizing PDF documents.

• Can I email, postal mail, or fax my documents?

  No.  All documents must be scanned and uploaded electronically into the application.  Any supporting documents sent to us by email, postal mail, or fax will not be accepted and will be destroyed.

• I have previously been awarded a scholarship.  Do I need to apply again?

  Yes.  While students are eligible for four paid awards, we still require our students to "apply" each year.  The renewal application is simple and gives you the opportunity to update your information.
  
  We do not require students to be awarded in consecutive years, but if you were not awarded in the previous academic year, we will require you to complete the application process as a first time student.

• What is the dollar amount of your scholarship awards?

  Scholarship awards range between $1,500 to $10,000 per academic year.

• Can I save my application and come back later?

  Yes. You will be able to work on your application until the application deadline.  To save your updates, click the Save button, then log out.  The next time you log in, you will be bale to continue where you left off.

Application Documents

• TAX DOCUMENT - What if my, or my parent’s, federal taxes will not be finalized until after the deadline?

  If your family's tax document has not been finalized by the March 1 deadline, then you can upload your previous year tax document.

• TAX DOCUMENT - What if I, or my parents, do not file a tax return?

  You must submit the Statement of Non-filing of a Federal Tax Return form in lieu of a tax document. The form must be signed by you and your parents. You can find this document when you login to your account and click on Document Libraries.
  
  If awarded, you will be required to provide official confirmation of non-filing status by completing IRS Form 4506-T (Request for Transcript of Tax Return), which is proof from the IRS that you did not file a return for the 2012 year.  The official confirmation must be emailed to documents@mcsf.org by 15 July.  Awardees that fail to provide the official confirmation, or provide false statements, risk forfeiting their scholarship award.

• TAX DOCUMENT - My parents are divorced or separated. Whose tax document should I use?

  You must submit the tax document on which you are claimed as a dependent, and provide any additional information about your family's circumstances in the appropriate box within the application.  The parent whose tax document you are claimed on does not have to be your qualifying military parent.

• TAX DOCUMENT - Where can I find the tax document I need to complete an application?

  The web site for the 1040 EZ is: www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040ez.pdf?portlet=3
  The website for the 1040 is: www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040.pdf?portlet=3
  The general IRS site for all forms is: www.irs.gov

• TAX DOCUMENT - How do I know if I submit my parent’s tax return, or my tax return?

  Dependent students must provide their parent's tax return (of which they are claimed on), and independent students must provide their own tax return. To determine if you are a dependent of independent student, you can use the dependency status calculator here. 

  We understand you may file your own taxes, or that your parent is not helping you financially with your education, but we still require you to submit the tax document you are claimed on. BEING CONSIDERED AN INDEPENDENT STUDENT IS NOT MERELY A MATTER OF BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES.
  
  If your parents are divorced, submit the tax document you are claimed on and provide any additional information about your family's circumstances in the appropriate box within the application. The parent whose tax document you are claimed on does not have to be your qualifying military parent.

• TAX DOCUMENT - I’m not considered an independent student, but I am paying for my own education because my parents cannot/will not help me. Do I have to submit their tax return?

  Yes. If you are considered an independent student, you must submit the tax document you are claimed on. Being considered an independent student is not merely a matter of being responsible for your own educational expenses. We understand that your parent may not be helping you financially with your education, but we still require you to submit the tax document you are claimed on.

• DD214/STATEMENT OF SERVICE - My parent is currently serving Active Duty or in the Reserves. What kind of service proof do you require?

  If your qualifying Marine/Navy Corpsman parent is still on Active Duty or is still in the Reserves, you must provide a written Statement of Service within the application. The Statement of Service must be submitted on official letterhead that is signed by the Adjutant, Personnel Officer, Executive Officer, or Commanding Officer of the unit.
  
  The following documents will NOT be accepted in lieu of the Statement of Service: Certificate of Release or Discharge, letters from Veterans' Affairs, disability documents, duty orders, or military I.D.

• DD214/STATEMENT OF SERVICE - My parent was killed in action, killed in service, or killed in training. What documents do you require?

  This is a tragic circumstance and we invite you to call (703) 549-0060 during regular business hours to discuss your application.

  If your qualifying Marine/Navy Corpsman parent was killed in action, killed in service, or killed in training, please provide a Report of Casualty within the application.

• DD214/STATEMENT OF SERVICE - What is a DD214 (Member-4 version)?

  The DD214 (Member-4 version) form is a Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty. This document is required to complete your application and serves as proof that your parent was a U.S. Marine (or a Navy Corpsman who served with a Marine unit), and that he/she received an honorable discharge.

  The “Character of Service” on the DD214 (Member-4 version) must read: HONORABLE. No other character of service will be accepted.

  The following documents will NOT be accepted in lieu of the DD214 or Statement of Service: Certificate of Release or Discharge, DD214 documents that do not indicate the “Character of Service,” letters from Veterans’ Affairs, disability documents, duty orders, or military I.D.

• DD214/STATEMENT OF SERVICE - Where can I find the “Character of Service” on the DD214 (Member-4 version)?

  The bottom left corner of the DD214 document indicates a form “date.” Use the list below to determine where the “Character of Service” appears on your form:
  
  DD Form 214, Feb 2000: Box 24
  DD Form 214, Nov 88: Box 24
  DD Form 214, 1 Jul 79: Box 24
  DD Form 214, 1 Nov 72: Box 9e
  DD Form 214 MC (1900), 1 Jul 66: Box 13a
  DD Form 214, 1 Nov 55: Box 13a

• DD214/STATEMENT OF SERVICE - What can I do if I don’t have my parent’s DD214 or proof of their honorable service?

  Military records can be obtained online at: www.archives.gov/veterans. It can take several months to obtain this information, so please allow yourself ample time.

• TRANSCRIPT - I won’t be able to get my official transcript by the application deadline. What can I do?

  You can provide an unofficial transcript in lieu of an official transcript. The unofficial version must include the student's name, academic institution, and a cumulative, unweighted GPA.  Screen shots are considered valid.  Microsoft Word, text, or editable documents are not acceptable.

• TRANSCRIPT - My school will only postal mail my official transcript, but you won’t accept any documents by mail. What should I do?

  Request your transcript be mailed to you. When you have received your transcript, scan it and upload the electronic file into your application. We will accept your transcript as "official" even though you have opened the sealed envelope and scanned the document.

  If your school mails your transcript to our office, we will not accept it and will destroy the document. No application documents are accepted by email, postal mail, or fax.

• PHOTOGRAPH OF APPLICANT - Why do I have to include a photograph of myself in the application?

  The Scholarship Foundation uses photos of its applicants and awardees for various publications and donor relations. Submitting your photo with the application means you will have one less step to complete during the post-award process!

• PHOTOGRAPH OF APPLICANT - What are the requirements for the photograph I need to include in my application?

  All photos must meet the following requirements:

  • A recent, clear face shot.
  • Other people should not appear in the photograph.
  • Photograph must be high resolution and no smaller than 500KB. Do not send photos that are poor quality, grainy, or highly pixilated.
  • Suitable for various Scholarship Foundation publications and donor relations. To include our yearbook, newsletter, and donor communication.

  We will not accept photographs that are poor quality, grainy, highly pixilated, or inappropriate in nature.