Registration and Applicant ID
Before submitting any application materials, each student must complete the scholarship registration form. Registration establishes an official application record and generates a unique Applicant ID, which is required for all subsequent submissions.
What registration does
Registration collects a small amount of identifying information—such as the applicant’s name and email address—and assigns an Applicant ID. This ID serves as the primary reference used by the scholarship system and the Scholarship Committee to associate all forms, documents, and recommendations with a single application.
Only applicants who complete registration will receive an Applicant ID.
How the Applicant ID is used
The Applicant ID must be entered on:
The Student Application form
All supporting document uploads
All recommendation letter submissions
The Scholarship Committee uses the Applicant ID as the primary method for matching submissions during review.
Error handling and data verification
While the Applicant ID is the primary identifier, the Scholarship Committee may also use supporting information—such as the applicant’s name or email address—to help resolve issues caused by typographical errors, formatting differences, or accidental mismatches during submission.
Applicants are responsible for entering their Applicant ID accurately on every form. Providing consistent name and email information across submissions helps ensure materials can be correctly associated if an error occurs.
Important notes
Registration does not complete the scholarship application.
Registration must be completed before submitting any other forms or documents.
- Submissions received without a valid Applicant ID may be delayed or excluded from review.
Student Application – Background, Goals, and Aspirations
The Student Application is a required form that collects personal, educational, and aspirational information directly from the applicant. This form provides context for the supporting documents and recommendations submitted separately.
Purpose of the student application
The Student Application allows the Scholarship Committee to understand:
The applicant’s personal and family background
Educational history and current academic status
The applicant’s goals, interests, and plans for higher education
How the applicant views their future academic and vocational path
This form is a narrative component of the application and is reviewed alongside transcripts, the Declaration of Faith, and letters of recommendation.
Information collected
The Student Application includes questions related to:
Applicant identification and contact information
Family and household context, where applicable
Educational background and school information
Post-secondary goals, aspirations, and areas of interest
Post-secondary plans and goals
As part of the Student Application, applicants are asked to provide information about their plans, interests, and goals following high school. These questions are intended to help the Scholarship Committee understand the applicant’s direction and motivation, not to evaluate certainty or final decisions.
Applicants may be asked to describe:
Intended or possible colleges, universities, or trade/vocational programs
Areas of academic interest, intended majors, or fields of study (if known)
Career paths or professions the applicant is considering
When and why the applicant became interested in pursuing higher education
How higher education fits into the applicant’s long-term goals
Applicants are not expected to have finalized plans. Thoughtful, honest responses are encouraged, even if interests are still developing.
Responses should reflect the applicant’s current thinking and aspirations at the time of submission.
Applicants should answer all questions fully and accurately.
Submission and updates
The Student Application is submitted online using the designated application form.
Applicants may re-submit this form if corrections or updates are needed.
If multiple submissions are received before the deadline, the most recent on-time submission will be used for review.
Applicants must enter their Applicant ID exactly as provided during registration to ensure the submission is correctly associated with their application.
Important notes
Submission of the Student Application alone does not complete the scholarship application.
All required supporting documents and recommendation letters must be submitted separately.
High School Transcript
A high school transcript is a required supporting document for the scholarship application. The transcript provides academic context and is reviewed alongside the student application, Declaration of Faith, and letters of recommendation.
Purpose of the transcript
The transcript is used by the Scholarship Committee to:
Verify academic history and standing
Review coursework and performance
Confirm enrollment and graduation status, when applicable
Acceptable transcript formats
Applicants may submit a transcript in one of the following formats:
Official or unofficial high school transcript
PDF or scanned image of a transcript
Transcript issued directly by the school or downloaded from a student portal
Transcripts do not need to be sent directly by the school.
Submission requirements
The transcript must clearly display the applicant’s name and school name.
All pages of the transcript should be included in a single uploaded file.
The document must be legible and complete.
Applicants must enter their Applicant ID when uploading the transcript so it can be correctly associated with their application.
Submission and updates
Transcripts are uploaded using the supporting document upload form.
Applicants may upload or re-upload a transcript if corrections or updates are needed.
If multiple versions are submitted before the deadline, the most recent on-time submission will be used for review.
Important notes
Incomplete or unreadable transcripts may delay review.
- Submission of a transcript alone does not complete the scholarship application.
Declaration of Faith
The Declaration of Faith is a required written component of the scholarship application. It allows applicants to reflect on their faith journey, values, and personal development, and provides the Scholarship Committee with important context beyond academic records and recommendations.
Purpose of the Declaration of Faith
The Declaration of Faith is intended to help the Scholarship Committee understand:
How faith has shaped the applicant’s life and character
How the applicant has lived out Christian values through actions and service
How faith informs the applicant’s goals, decisions, and plans for the future
This document is evaluated as a personal reflection and does not have “right” or “wrong” answers.
Required topics to address
The Declaration of Faith must clearly address all of the following topics:
Experiences—positive or negative—that were meaningful during childhood and adolescence, including experiences as an individual or as part of a group
What faith means to you and the role faith plays in your life
How you have expressed Christ’s love to others
A favorite passage from the Bible or another book that holds special meaning, and why it is meaningful
Service to others through participation in church or Christian activities, including any leadership roles or offices held
When and why you became interested in pursuing higher education and the career paths you have considered
Your objectives and goals in pursuing higher education
Applicants should ensure that each topic is clearly addressed in their submission.
Format and length requirements
The Declaration of Faith must meet the following formatting expectations:
Typed document
Double-spaced
No more than three (3) pages
Standard, readable font and margins
The document may be prepared using a word processor and submitted as a PDF or Word document through the document upload form.
Additional identification requirement
The Declaration of Faith must also include one of the following, as applicable:
The name of a parent, grandparent, or guardian who is a registered parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi Church, or
The name of a parent, grandparent, or guardian who is a member of St. Francis of Assisi Knights of Columbus Council 8909 or its Ladies Auxiliary
This information helps confirm eligibility and affiliation.
Submission and updates
The Declaration of Faith is submitted separately from the Student Application form.
Applicants may upload or re-upload this document if corrections are needed.
If multiple versions are submitted before the deadline, the most recent on-time submission will be used for review.
Applicants must ensure the correct Applicant ID is entered when uploading the document so it can be properly associated with their application.
Proof of Acceptance
Proof of acceptance is a required supporting document for the scholarship application. This document confirms that the applicant has been accepted to a college, university, or trade/vocational program following high school.
Purpose of proof of acceptance
The proof of acceptance is used by the Scholarship Committee to:
Verify eligibility for post-secondary education
Confirm the applicant’s planned educational pathway
Ensure scholarship funds are awarded to qualified recipients
Acceptable proof of acceptance
Applicants may submit one of the following as proof of acceptance:
Official acceptance letter or email from a college, university, or trade/vocational school
Screenshot or PDF from an official student portal showing acceptance status
Any document issued by the institution that clearly confirms acceptance
The document does not need to include financial aid information.
Submission requirements
The document must clearly display the applicant’s name and the name of the institution.
The acceptance status must be clearly indicated.
The document must be legible and complete.
Applicants must enter their Applicant ID when uploading the document so it can be correctly associated with their application.
Submission and updates
Proof of acceptance is uploaded using the supporting document upload form.
Applicants may upload or re-upload this document if updated information becomes available.
If multiple versions are submitted before the deadline, the most recent on-time submission will be used for review.
Important notes
Proof of acceptance may be submitted as soon as it is available.
Submission of this document alone does not complete the scholarship application.
Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation are a required component of the scholarship application. Recommendations provide third-party perspective on the applicant’s character, leadership, and suitability for the scholarship.
Recommendation letters are submitted confidentially and separately from the student application and supporting documents.
Overview and requirements
Each applicant must have three (3) letters of recommendation submitted on their behalf from the following individuals:
A pastor, clergy member, or church youth leader
A high school teacher
A community member (not a relative)
Applicants are responsible for requesting recommendations and providing their Applicant ID to each recommender.
Applicants do not upload recommendation letters themselves.
Instructions for applicants
Applicants must:
Complete registration to obtain an Applicant ID
Share their Applicant ID with each recommender
Direct recommenders to the official Recommendation Submission Form
Applicants should ensure that each recommender:
Understands the submission deadline
Submits the recommendation using the correct Applicant ID
Applicants will not be able to view recommendation letters submitted on their behalf and will not receive confirmation when individual recommendations are received.
Applicants are responsible for requesting recommendations early and allowing sufficient time for recommenders to submit their letters before the deadline. Applicants are encouraged to communicate directly with recommenders prior to the deadline to confirm that submissions have been completed.
Instructions for recommenders
Recommenders submit letters of recommendation using the online recommendation form and must include the applicant’s Applicant ID so the letter can be properly associated with the application.
Recommendation content
A recommendation may be submitted as a letter or completed using the provided form and should address the following:
Name of the applicant
How long the recommender has known the applicant
An assessment of the applicant in the following areas
(using a scale of 0 = not observed to 5 = excellent, where applicable):Responsibility
Work habits
Motivation
Intellectual ability
Creativity
Leadership and role modeling
Attitude toward authority and rules
Sympathy for beliefs or practices of others
Discipline
How other students would rate the applicant’s leadership abilities
Information the committee should know when considering the applicant, including strengths and weaknesses
Any additional comments that may assist in evaluation
Recommenders are also asked to provide their name, occupation, and contact information, and to certify their submission electronically.
Submission format
Recommendations are submitted electronically through the online form
Letters may be uploaded as PDF or Word documents
Typed submissions are preferred
Confidentiality and review
Recommendation letters are reviewed confidentially by the Scholarship Committee
Recommendations are not shared with applicants
Recommendation letters are evaluated in conjunction with the student application and supporting documents
Submission and updates
Recommendations must be submitted using the official recommendation form
If a recommender needs to correct or replace a submission, the most recent on-time submission will be used for review
Recommendations submitted without a valid Applicant ID may not be associated correctly and could delay review
Important notes
Email or mailed recommendations are not accepted unless explicitly authorized by the Scholarship Committee
Applicants are responsible for ensuring all required recommendations are submitted by the deadline
Submission of recommendation letters alone does not complete the scholarship application
Questions or Assistance
This section explains how to request help if an issue occurs during registration, form submission, or document upload.
When to contact the Scholarship Committee
Applicants or recommenders should contact the Scholarship Committee if they experience:
Difficulty submitting a form or document
Uncertainty about whether a submission was received
Errors involving an Applicant ID that cannot be corrected through re-submission
Technical issues that prevent timely submission
General questions about scholarship eligibility or requirements should be reviewed on the scholarship landing page before contacting the committee.
How to request assistance
When contacting the Scholarship Committee, please include:
Applicant’s full name
Applicant ID (if available)
Email address used during registration or submission
A brief description of the issue
Providing complete information helps the committee resolve issues efficiently.
Important notes
The Scholarship Committee does not monitor application progress for individual applicants.
Applicants are responsible for ensuring all required forms, documents, and recommendations are submitted correctly and on time.
Submitting a question or request for assistance does not extend submission deadlines.
Contact information
For assistance, contact the Scholarship Committee at:
scholarships@promotions.kofc8909.org