What is the Croatian Scholarship Fund?

The Croatian Scholarship Fund is a charitable non- profit organization 501 (c) (3) officially recognized by the State of California and the Internal Revenue Service. The organization is non-political and must remain so in order to retain its non-profit, tax-deductible status.

What is the purpose of the organization?

Our primary purpose is to help develop leaders in Croatia by funding higher education for most promising and financially deserving young men and women. CSF provides financial assistance to highly qualified students of Croatian origin living in Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina, to attend a university in Croatia or Bosnia & Herzegovina. To our knowledge, CSF is the only American-based organization that provides scholarships to students in Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina. The initial chapter of the organization, located in Northern California, will serve as a prototype for other chapters within California and elsewhere.

Who is eligible to receive scholarship?

Only students currently attending middle school and who  plan to enroll  at  university in Croatia or Bosnia & Herzegovina are eligible to receive CSF scholarship.

Who is NOT eligible to receive scholarship?

• Students already attending university
• Those who have graduated with bachelor or master degree and plan to study for PhD,  or other Doctoral level degree.
• Students who plan to attend university outside of Croatia or Bosnia & Herzegovina.

What are the activities of the CSF?

Standing committees of CSF include: Fundraising, Investment, Legal, Communication and Students/Graduates. CSF’s primary activities are fund raising to generate funds to meet its scholarship goals. CSF sponsors several outstanding events each year including the Annual Dinner Dance, The Golf Tournament, Advisory Board gatherings and other social affairs.

Who are Board of Directors and Advisors?

The Board of Directors consists of at least seven, but not more than nine members. Term of office is two years, extending from January through December 31; a member may be elected for one more additional terms. The group of Advisors provides leadership, service and financial support to CSF. Candidates for either board may be nominated from the membership by submission of the nomination in writing to the secretary prior to December 1, preceding the term of office. Please contact the secretary for information concerning the Board of Directors and Advisors.

Who may attend the board meetings?

Board of Directors and Advisors attend meetings, which are held on a monthly basis. The location of meetings rotates throughout the year. Please contact the Secretary for information.

Does the Croatian Scholarship Fund have paid employees?

No member of the Board of Directors or Advisory group  receive any compensation from the organization. All services or work associated with CSF are strictly voluntary.

What is the value of each scholarship?

The students accepted in the program receive  $2,500 (U.S. Currency) per year for a duration of  three years of undergraduate and two years graduate study. No recipient may be awarded more than five one-year scholarships. The students are notified of their acceptance into the program by July 1, of each year. Regardless of total annual monetary award, payments will be made in installments as determined by the Executive Board.

How are students informed of the scholarship program?

Information and scholarship applications are distributed to the maximum number of high school students in Croatia and Bosnia-Hercegovina to ensure the widest possible participation. The Ministry of Education in Croatia helps to disseminate CSF information.

How are scholarship recipients selected?

Applicants must submit a formal application. In addition to a personal statement and documents, the following items are required: two letters of recommendation from a high school principal, classroom teacher, local priest or a city official.  Applications must be completed on-line at www.croatianscholarship.org before May 15, for consideration for the upcoming academic year. The Executive Board will evaluate each applicant according to the following criteria and applicants will be placed in order of rank.

• academic excellence
• economic and humanitarian need
• completion of application
• unique qualities of applicant, including extracurricular involvement and volunteerism at the school and the community at large
• honors and awards
• recommendations

No member or relative of the Executive Board is eligible for consideration.

What are the terms and conditions of the scholarship awards?

See Terms and Conditions

Can donors designate how awards will be used?

Donors may choose to have their contributions assigned either to a specific academic area or to the general scholarship fund. Donors may also designate that their contributions be assigned to scholarship recipients within a certain town, city or region. These choices may be indicated on the contribution form. Every effort will be made to comply with requests.

Can scholarships be terminated at any time?

Scholarships may be terminated at any time for one or more of the following reasons: failure to make satisfactory academic progress toward a degree; conviction of a crime deemed serious by the Executive Board; suspension or expulsion from the institution; or for any other cause considered by the Executive Board to be contrary to the purpose of the scholarship program. Recipients are responsible for assuring that the college or university provide the Executive Board with a report at the end of each term regarding academic achievement and progress. Failure to receive the above information within four weeks following each academic term may result in the termination of the scholarship.

See Terms and Conditions

What are the provisions for fiscal propriety?

An annual report of fiscal matters of the organization will be conducted by a certified public accountant. These reports are open for review by any member. Requests must be submitted in writing to the  Secretary:

Secretary, CSF
P.O. Box 290
San Ramon, CA 94583

or email to csfinformation@gmail.com

Further, In compliance with the laws of the State of California and the Internal Revenue Service, a full and complete financial report must be submitted annually to those entities.

Are contributions to the CSF tax- deductible?

Because the Croatian Scholarship Fund has been authorized as a charitable, non-profit organization by the State of California and the Internal Revenue Service, your contributions are tax deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. You are advised to consult you tax preparer or an office of the IRS.

Terms and conditions

Terms and conditions content is being reviewed and will be uploaded shortly. In the meantime, for any questions please contact CSF at csfinformation@gmail.com