The California Scholarship Federation (CSF) emphasizes high standards of service, scholarship, and citizenship for California high school students. CSF encourages service to the school and community while fostering pride in scholastic achievement.

The California Scholarship Federation (CSF) promotes and recognizes high standards of scholarship, service, and citizenship on the part of California school students. The idea for a statewide organization to honor outstanding high school students was first proposed by Mr. Charles F. Seymour at a convention of high school principals in Oakland in 1916. Mr. Seymour was then vice-principal of National City High School in San Diego County, and in 1916 had organized a scholarship society on his campus, modeling it after one already established at Long Beach Polytechnic High School.