Purpose:

The primary purpose of the Croatian Scholarship Fund (CSF) is to prepare individuals to help provide vital leadership needed toward improving the economic, political and cultural development of Croatia as it moves into the next century. The CSF will award financial aid only to highly qualified high school graduates from Croatia and Bosnia- Hercegovina to attend a college or university in Croatia. It also enables the student to benefit from the financial aid by receiving an education to carry out this important mission as future leaders.

History:

The CSF was founded in 1990. In order to provide support for scholarships, financial contributions are obtained from persons and organizations who share a common bond of mutual understanding.

Selection of Scholarship Recipients:

Through information appearing in Croatian publications, electronic and other media, students in their final year of high school are advised to submit an application to the CSF. The CSF Executive Board recieves, evaluates, and recommends action based upon extensive criteria: academic grade point average (GPA), description of courses completed, name of selected college or university and major academic field of study, ages of brothers and sisters, vocation of parent(s), location of home, and recommendations from school, church and/or civic representatives. Additional requirements are listed in this Guide.

Scholarship Limitations:

No student may relieve for funding for more than four years or eight semesters. A full one-year scholarship for a student from a rural area is $1,200 (USA); $600 is granted for each semester. A student who resides in an urban area and attends a college/university in that area will receive $600 for the academic year, $300 is granted each semester.

Student Responsibilities:

CSF assigns specific responsibilities to each recipient. Failure to comply with all requirements will result in cancellation of the application. Responsibilities include:
  1. The student must provide proof of enrollment at an approved college or university located within Croatia. Proof must be written form issued by the institution.
  2. Each student must submit an official copy of his or her academic record at mid-term which contains the title of courses and academic grade received in each.
  3. The student must also provide CSF with an official copy of his/her transcript of final grades within 30 days after the end of each semester. No additional portion of the scholarship will be paid unless this requirement is fulfilled. CSF will not remind students of this requirement.
  4. A student will not be considered to be enrolled in the CSF program if the current number of units in progress is less than the number established for a full-time student by the college or university. The student must provide CSF with an official publication or other official proof describing the number of units required to be a full-time student .
  5. Each recipient is required to provide a black and white, glossy finish photograph (head shot). This will be used for CSF publications. The photograph is due no later than 10 days after the beginning of the first semester of enrollment at the college or university.
  6. The academic grade point average (GPA) for each semester must be maintain at a 3.5 or higher. If at the end of a semester the overall grade point average is below 3.5, the student will be placed on probationary status for the next semester. If, at the end of the probationary semester, the grade point average is these requirements may result in cancellation of the scholarship.
  7. Each scholarship recipient is required to write to their benefactor(s) at least once every three months. In addition, the recipient must notify CSF that the communication was sent to the benefactor(s). Failure to comply with any of these requirements may result in cancellation of the scholarship.
  8. Each student must acknowledge the receipt of this Croatian Scholarship Fund Student Information Guide by completing and signing the attached form at the end of this Student Information Guide. This must be received by CSF prior to any scholarship payment being awarded.
  9. Each student shall prove CSF with a current address(es), telephone(s), electronic mail address, and fax number (if available) for home, school, other. Any change of address, and fax number (if available) for home, school, other. Any change of address must be provided to the CSF immediately.
  10. Any student wishing to change his/her major, transfer to another college or university, or other criteria upon which the student selection was made must first submit such request in writing to the CSF. Such request must be approved by the CSF to enable the student to remain in the program.
  11. A student must inform CSF if they receive any additional financial aid from any other source, including detailed information on the source of the aid.
  12. Failure to comply with any of the requirements stated in this Student Information Guide may result in the cancellation of the scholarship. The CSF Scholarship Board may take any other administrative action that is deemed proper
For more information - please contact the CSF office:
31 Mesa Vista Court
San Ramon, California 94583

phone/fax: 925-556-6263
e-mail: vbrekalo@email.msn.com