AMCFF SCHOLARSHIP
Hello! Congratulations on applying for the Foundation scholarship. We wish you the best of luck. To make this the simplest process possible, we have prepared a list of Frequently Asked Questions and their responses. We also post relevant tips to our social media accounts, including Instagram. If you still have questions or concerns after reviewing the available information, please feel free to email AMCFF, and a representative will respond to you ASAP.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
High school Students
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Must be a current high school senior attending one of the following schools in the Northeast San Fernando Valley: Arleta, Cesar Chavez Learning Center Academies, James Monroe, Kennedy, Mc Alister, Mission Continuation, North Hollywood, Panorama, Polytechnic, San Fernando, Sylmar, Sylmar Bio Tech Magnet and Van Nuys.
Continuing College Students (Exception for Mission College Students)
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Must have graduated from one of the above-listed schools.
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Must be accepted or enrolled in a college, trade/vocational school, university, or community college in the fall of 2025 and attendance through the spring of 2025 as a full-time student
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An undergraduate must carry at least 12 units.
Los Angeles Mission College Students
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Must be enrolled as a full-time student at Los Angeles Mission College.
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Must apply for federal financial aid using the Free Applications for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
DOCUMENTS NEEDED
To complete the application, the following documents must be completed and submitted by their deadlines:
DocuFree Application for Federal Student AiD (FAFSA)
The U.S. Department of Education makes the FAFSA available free of charge to apply for federal and state student grants, work-study, and loans. The Foundation encourages all scholarship applicants to apply for federal financial aid. To complete a FAFSA, please visit click here.
GPA Verification
You must provide verification of your most current GPA. You may also submit a GPA Verification Form which you can download by clicking here. Note: We will accept 2025 applicants' unofficial LAUSD transcripts or screenshots of your LAUSD transcripts in place of the GPA verification form. The screenshot must show your name and current date.
Educational/Professional Resume
Your educational/professional resume is a required document to apply for the scholarship. This document assists the Scholarship Committee in getting a better picture of the person you are outside your GPA and test scores. Your educational/professional resume allows you to showcase additional accomplishments such as awards, work experience, volunteer work, and special classes you have taken. Sample Resume of a High School Student.
Letter of Recommendation
This letter is essential in the selection process. The letter of recommendation helps the Scholarship Committee distinguish you from other candidates. It must include the relationship your Recommender has with you and the length of time they have known you; your strengths, including motivation, leadership, and commitment; examples of commitment to achieve your educational goals; examples which elaborate on your potential to compete in a college atmosphere and your community/volunteer service.
Your Recommender should be a teacher, counselor, or college advisor. Or, if you have been out of school for two or more years, your recommender may be your most recent employer. The Recommender should NOT BE A RELATIVE OR FRIEND.
APPLICATION TUTORIAL
AB540 Students may apply for the Andrés y María Cárdenas Family Foundation Scholarship if they meet the above general eligibility requirements.
Read the Frequently Asked Questions
Watch the Tutorial Video on how to apply:
DEADLINES
Please use the below deadlines to assist you in completing your application.
Application Submission: March 14, 2025
Letters of Recommendation Submission: March 21, 2025
Upload Completed GPA Verification form: March 21, 2025
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MAY I SUBMIT A PAPER APPLICATION?No. We have converted to a paperless online application process. You must upload the completed GPA Verification Form and your educational resume to your online application. The GPA Verification Form is available for download on the online application site. Your recommender will be required to upload your Letter of Recommendation. We will not accept any paper documents.
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I ENTERED THE INFORMATION REQUESTED. WHY AM I UNABLE TO SUBMIT MY APPLICATION?"Review all of the pages of your online application carefully. You must ensure that you have entered a response in all the fields. In the fields that do not apply to you, enter zeros, None, or N/A. Do not leave any blanks.
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DO I NEED AN EMAIL ACCOUNT TO APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP?Yes. If you do not have an email address, several internet service providers, such as Hotmail, Gmail, AOL, and Yahoo, offer email addresses at no cost. If you choose to use a .edu address, please know that some of these servers may filter out our emails and identify them as spam or junk. You should periodically check your spam or junk mail to ensure you receive all our communications. Please note that each applicant must use their own personal email address and not a family member’s email address.
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WHAT IS AN APPROPRIATE E-MAIL ADDRESS?For safety reasons, we recommend you avoid personal identification such as date of birth, social security number, or other personal information. For professional reasons, avoid using slang, profanity, or drug-related messages in your e-mail address.
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CAN AB540 STUDENTS APPLY FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP?Yes.
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WHAT GPA DO I REPORT?You must report your unweighted GPA. This GPA does not include extra points added by AP and Honors courses and, therefore, cannot be greater than 4.0. For more information, see your college counselor.
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WHAT IS THE GPA VERIFICATION FORM?The GPA Verification form is on the Foundation website. This form must have the official school seal and be uploaded to your online AMCFF Scholarship Application.
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WHAT IS THE STUDENT AID INDEX (SAI)?The Student Aid Index (SAI) is the applicant’s Expected Family Contribution amount. After the FAFSA form is processed, the SAR report provides the EFC number. If you are an AB540 student, enter NONE or 0000.
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HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM SELF SUPPORTING?Your parents/guardians do not claim you as a dependent on their income tax return.
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AM I REQUIRED TO SUBMIT AN EDUCATIONAL/PROFESSIONAL RESUME?Yes. Here is a link to see a sample educational resume.
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WHY DO I NEED A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION, AND WHAT MUST IT INCLUDE?This letter is extremely important in the selection process. The recommendation will help the Scholarship Committee distinguish you from other candidates. It must include your relationship with your Recommender; the length of time they have known you; your strengths, including motivation, leadership, and commitment to achieve your educational goals. Your Recommender should share examples that elaborate on your potential to compete in a college atmosphere and your community/volunteer service.
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WHO SHOULD I INDICATE AS MY RECOMMENDER?Your Recommender should be a teacher, counselor, or college advisor. If you have been out of school for two or more years, your Recommender may be your most recent employer. The Recommender should NOT BE A RELATIVE OR FRIEND.
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I JUST SUBMITTED MY ON-LINE APPLICATION. HOW DOES MY LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION GET SUBMITTED?Once you submit your online application, your Recommender will receive an email from us with instructions on the process. Your Recommender must submit their recommendation online. Please note that it is your responsibility to verify with your Recommender that they received our email.
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IF I AM AWARDED A SCHOLARSHIP MAY I APPLY AGAIN NEXT YEAR?Yes! Recipients may reapply each year that they are in college as long as they meet the eligibility requirements.
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WHAT IS THE MANDATORY STUDENT & PARENT ORIENTATION?We hold a college orientation that provides valuable information regarding financial aid and guidance on the college experience. A parent is also required to attend the parent orientation workshop. The 2025 Student & Parent Orientation has yet to be scheduled. Historically, it has been the end of May or early June.