Unclaimed Scholarships

Unclaimed Scholarships Unfortunately, most financial aid professionals agree that unclaimed scholarships are more myth than reality. While some do exist, they may have restrictions and requirements that many students do not meet. Types of Scholarships College scholarships fall into two categories: public and private. Unclaimed scholarships generally fall into the private scholarship category, but could potentially be in both. Related Articles Scholarships for a Kid with a Deceased Parent Scholarships for a Kid with a Deceased Parent How to Win a Scholarship How to Win a Scholarship List of Scholarships List of Scholarships Public Scholarships Typically well-funded and open to any interested applicant, public scholarships provide partial or full funding for a college or graduate school education. Some require essays in addition to the application or other demonstrations of student willingness and desire for the scholarship. Excellent grades, leadership abilities, and other factors may be part of the evaluation process for awards. Many target students with particular aptitudes, interests, or majors. Students should check into public scholarships from for-profit corporations, as well as non-profit organizations. The College Board (maker of the SAT) sponsors a Young Epidemiology Scholarship (YES) that provides up to 120 fully paid scholarships for students pursuing a career in epidemiology. Pharmaceutical companies, automotive companies, and department stores frequently sponsor scholarships as well. Fierce competitions for these scholarships suggests that students should apply early and expend their best effort on all applic ation materials. While it's rare that public scholarships go unclaimed, if you are interested in an unusual major, career path or geographic location, research scholarships in your field. The more rare or unusual the field, the better the chances that the money remains unclaimed. Private Scholarships: Source of Unclaimed Scholarships Private scholarships provide full or partial tuition assistance but are only open to students who meet selective criteria. Some colleges and universities offer scholarships for various majors, including common disciplines as well as highly specialized ones. The college financial aid office provides information to interested students along with the appropriate application forms.Some companies offer scholarship money to families through the workplace as part of the company's benefit plan. Parents should check with their Human Resources department to see if tuition reimbursement or scholarships are offered for dependent children. This type of scholarship falls most frequently into the "unclaimed scholarship" category. The reason is simple. If not enough people at the company have children embarking on their college education, monies set aside for the fund remain untapped in that particular year.