What is SCCEEF?
The Southern California Catholic Educational Excellence Foundation is a private, volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2018. SCCEEF raises funds to help male and female student-athletes attend Catholic high schools within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
What does SCCEEF’s scholarship cover?
SCCEEF provides tuition assistance that helps close the gap between financial aid offered by a Catholic high school and the amount a family can realistically afford. Scholarship payments are sent directly to the student’s school.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must be admitted to or enrolled in a Catholic high school within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75, demonstrate verified financial need, and participate as a student-athlete in organized school or club sports.
When is the application window?
The published application window is June 1 through July 31. Award notifications are made by August 31. Families are notified by phone or email whether an award was granted and, if so, the amount.
What happens after a scholarship is offered?
A recipient has 48 hours to accept or decline the award. After acceptance, SCCEEF sends the tuition payment directly to the school within 30 days.
Which documents are required?
Applicants need a completed online application; two recommendation letters from teachers or school administrators; one recommendation letter from a coach or athletic representative; a personal statement of no more than two typed pages; a financial-aid award decision letter; the parent or guardian’s most recent personal federal tax return; an academic transcript; and, for newly admitted students, a Catholic high-school acceptance letter.
May I submit before receiving the school’s financial-aid decision?
Yes. The Financial Aid Award Decision Letter is the only required document that may be missing when the application is submitted. The application will be flagged and held for follow-up until that letter is received.
What should the personal statement include?
The personal statement should describe the applicant’s academic awards and accomplishments, high-school goals, interests inside and outside school, and intended field of study. It may be no longer than two typewritten pages.
Do current recipients need to apply again?
Yes. Every scholarship recipient must complete the application process annually to renew an award. SCCEEF strongly encourages the student to participate actively in the process.
Can a donor support a specific student-athlete?
Yes. Donors may earmark a gift for a particular student-athlete or allow SCCEEF to distribute it to the most deserving applicants based on merit and need.
Are donations tax-deductible?
Yes. SCCEEF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 83-0838078. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law and go toward tuition assistance at accredited Catholic college-preparatory high schools. Donors should consult their own professional advisers regarding individual tax treatment.
Can I donate appreciated stock?
Yes. SCCEEF accepts publicly traded securities. A donor may be able to avoid taxable capital gains and receive a deduction based on the shares’ market value when a qualifying long-term appreciated-stock gift is completed. Contact SCCEEF before initiating a transfer and consult your own adviser.
How is applicant information protected?
The applicant portal is described as encrypted and secure. SCCEEF states that all uploaded information will be kept in the strictest confidence.
Who can help with an application question?
Email Help@SCCEEF.org with application questions or technical issues. SCCEEF states that it will respond within 48 hours. For general questions, email info@scceef.org or call 1-323-691-9292.