HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR APPLICATION FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2026-2027

Application Instructions:

Please read all instructions carefully and submit all required documents. Incomplete applications will not be considered. This application is for senior high school students. If this is not you, please go back to swcsrf.org/apply and select the application form that matches your situation.

1. OVERVIEW

Each year, the Sausalito Woman’s Club Scholarship Recognition Fund (SWCSRF) awards need- and merit-based scholarships to students connected to the Sausalito–Marin City School District (ZIP 94965). Awards are given to support students attending college, graduate/professional programs, or accredited trade/art schools as full-time students (minimum 9 credits/semester) during the 2026–2027 academic year.

Selection Approach: Every SWCSRF award recognizes merit. We define merit broadly—achievement, effort, improvement, leadership, arts/technical excellence, service, creativity, and responsibility at school, work, or home. Students who present verified financial need, based on the required documentation, may qualify for expanded awards, as need-based consideration can increase the overall scholarship amount.

2. ELIGIBILITY

Applicant must be a permanent resident within the Sausalito–Marin City School District (ZIP 94965) and must plan to attend an eligible post-secondary program full-time in 2026–2027.

3. REQUIRED MATERIALS (submit with this application)

A. Two Recommendation Letters - Letters must be uploaded, emailed, or postmarked by March 9, 2026. Please ask your recommenders to submit their letters as early as possible.
- Recommender Requirements: Please provide the name and contact information of two recommenders who know you in an academic, work, or community setting (such as a teacher, counselor, coach, employer, or community program leader). Recommenders may not be family members or close personal friends.
- We will email your recommender(s) directly with a separate link to upload their letters
- They can also email letters directly to application@swcsrf.org from their school/work email.
- Letters may also be mailed to: P.O. Box 3045, Sausalito, CA 94966. Mailed letters must be on school letterhead, signed/dated, and sealed with the recommender’s signature across the envelope flap.
B. Transcript of Cumulative Grades - Upload your current official school transcript showing total weighted GPA. Your name and your school’s name must appear on the transcript.

C. Essay (≈500 words) — choose one prompt:
- Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent so meaningful their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, share your story. OR
- Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
D. Financial document for need-based consideration

Acceptable documents include (please provide ONE of the following):
- FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) — summary page only (not full application)
- California Dream Act Application (CADAA) Submission Summary or Student Aid Report — summary page only (not full application)
- Official financial aid offer / need-based award letter from a school
- Letter on school letterhead from a counselor or administrator confirming significant financial need
- Proof of participation in income-based programs (e.g., CalFresh/SNAP, free or reduced-price lunch)
- Other document that reasonably demonstrates financial need (please explain briefly)
Privacy & use: Financial information is reviewed only by the SWCSRF application committee, stored securely, and not shared publicly. You must redact Social Security numbers, account numbers, and full dates of birth before uploading.

4. OPTIONAL MATERIALS

Brief context about your academic record- (≤200 words)
If you wish, briefly share circumstances that may have affected your grades, course choices, testing, or attendance (e.g., illness/injury, family responsibilities, work hours, school disruptions, housing/tech issues, language transition). Reviewed with care; not shared publicly.

5. SUBMISSION DEADLINE
- Complete the online application (with all required documents) no later than March 9, 2026.
- Letters of recommendation must be submitted directly by the recommender—either uploaded using our direct link or sent by email—from a school or work email address by March 9. Mailed letters must be on school letterhead, signed and dated, and sealed with the recommender’s signature across the envelope flap, and must also be postmarked by March 9.
- Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Do not deliver any part of the application to the Sausalito Woman’s Club building.
6. NOTIFICATION & DISBURSEMENT
- Award notifications for the 2026–2027 school year will be made in early May 2026 by email or U.S. mail.
- Funds are disbursed after SWCSRF receives and verifies official proof of full-time registration (9+ credits) for a 2026–2027 semester or quarter.
7. SWCSRF AI USE POLICY

Purpose: This scholarship aims to support students' unique talents and authentic voices. While we acknowledge that AI tools can assist with writing, this policy ensures your application reflects your own work and experiences.

Acceptable use:
AI for brainstorming ideas.
AI for checking grammar and spelling.
AI for organizing your thoughts.

Unacceptable use:
Generating full essays, statements, or written responses with AI.
Plagiarizing text from an AI tool.
Falsifying information with AI.

Applicant responsibility:
Your application must be your original work. The SWCSRF may use AI detection tools and may disqualify any application that violates this policy.

We recommend you keep a copy of your completed application for your records.

Please fill out the following form to apply for our scholarship program. Ensure all information provided is accurate and complete.

Questions? Please contact application@swcsrf.org.

DEMONGRAPHIC INFORMATION
Are you a high school senior applying to a post-secondary school (college, university, or vocational program)?

If yes, please proceed with the rest of this application.If no, please go back to swcsrf.org/apply and select the application form that best matches your situation.
Applicant Category

Full Name*

First NameMiddle NameLast Name
Email Address*
example@example.com
Home Phone/Cell Phone*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Permanent Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2
CityState / ProvincePostal / Zip Code
Mailing Address (if different)

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Are you or a sibling the first in your family to pursue college?*

YesNoI don't know
Two letters of recommendation are required and they must be uploaded by the recommenders, emailed, or post-marked by the due date, March 9, 2026.
- Recommender Requirements: Please provide the name and contact information of two recommenders who know you in an academic, work, or community setting (such as a teacher, counselor, coach, employer, or community program leader). Recommenders may not be family members or close personal friends.
- We will email your recommender(s) directly with a separate link to upload their letter
- They can also email letters directly to application@swcsrf.org from their school/work email.
- Letters may also be mailed to: P.O. Box 3045, Sausalito, CA 94966. Mailed letters must be on school letterhead, signed/dated, and sealed with the recommender’s signature across the envelope flap.
Recommender 1: Please provide the name of the person writing your letter of recommendation.*

First NameLast Name
Recommender 1 Email*
example@example.com
Please provide the following information about Recommender 1*
Recommender 2: Please provide the name of the person writing your letter of recommendation.*

First NameLast Name
Recommender 2 Email*
example@example.com
Please provide the following information about Recommender 2*

ACADEMIC RECORDS & ACTIVITY
Current School*
Total Weighted GPA*
Please upload your official transcript here*

Please upload the transcript using the following file name format: LastName_FirstName_Highschool_Transcript_2026.pdf (e.g. Garcia_Ana_TamHigh_Transcript_2026.pdf)
Cancelof
(Optional) Context About Your Academic Record
If you wish, briefly share circumstances that may have affected your grades, course choices, testing, or attendance (e.g., illness/injury, family responsibilities, work hours, school disruptions, housing or technology issues, language transition). This section is optional and reviewed with care; it will not be shared publicly. Please keep it brief (<=150-200 words).
Briefly describe your major interests, school activities and volunteer or work experiences (up to 250 words).*

FUTURE GOALS/SCHOOLS/ESSAY
Briefly describe your academic, professional and/or personal goals (up to 250 words).*

0/250

Please list the schools you have applied to and the cost of attendance for each (see each college’s website for this information).*

	School Name	Yearly Tuition and Fees	Yearly Housing & Meals Cost	Yearly Books/Transport/Supplies Cost	Have You Been Accepted?
School 1
School 2
School 3
School 4
School 5

If known, which school will you attend (2026–2027). Type full name (e.g., “College of Marin – Kentfield Campus”). If undecided, enter “Not decided”.
Which school do you hope to attend, and why?*

0/250
Major (if known)
Please write an original essay of about 500 words responding to ONE of the following prompts.
1. 1.Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent so meaningful their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, share your story. OR
2. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others
Please enter the essay below*

0/550
AI disclosure statement: Please check one of the following to confirm the use of AI in this application.*

No AI usedAI used for minor assistance: I used AI for brainstorming ideas and/or checking grammar and spelling. I confirm that all submitted writing is my own original work.AI used for substantial assistance: I used AI to do more than minor assistance. Please decribe how you used AI in the text box below. For example, "I used ChatGPT to help me create an outline for my essay."Other
Please describe how you used AI in the text below.*

Are you seeking need-based consideration in addition to merit? All scholarship awards honor merit. We offer both need-based and merit-only scholarships. If you choose “No,” you will still be considered for merit-only awards. if Yes, you will be asked additional financial information for eligibility.*

Yes – Consider me for need-based scholarships; I understand I’ll be asked some additional financial questions and to upload one document (e.g., FAFSA/CADAA summary).No- consider me for merit-based awards only.
Applicant Type

You've reached the end of the application. Please review your answers and click submit below.
Should be Empty:

	Not Applied	Completed	Your Student Aid Index Number or equivalent
FAFSA
CADAA

DEMONGRAPHIC INFORMATION

ACADEMIC RECORDS & ACTIVITY

FUTURE GOALS/SCHOOLS/ESSAY