<p>Posted here cause I thought it was more than just a fin aid question.</p>
<p>Both my now graduated S and soon to be senior college aged D filled out many outside - mostly local scholarships. D received several for freshman year and each year, has been able to maintain 2 of them yearly plus an additional new one - we are very happy that put forth that effort and she of course has enjoyed the joy of getting them. </p>
<p>S applied for several this year too. He received 4 (if I remember correctly) - one which was really a complete surprise because he thought the interview did not go well.</p>
<p>One of D’s scholarships that has been renewed and actually increased each year - and was definitely described as renewable - did not award anything for Fall 2010 year citing MUCH less financial resources available and much MORE demand in terms of applications. Another one, that she has received each year and S applied for and would have likely received (the donor gives out like 20 of them each year) was denied for my S citing the same as above - they had to increase the fin need of applicants (and we no longer fit) but they were kind enough (thank you!) to still award D her last year of award.</p>
<p>Friends tell me the same thing. Seems like much less $$ to go around locally, and a big increase in student need and applications (i.e. - need has probably always been there, but more students are actually applying).</p>
<p>Just wondering, especially for those who have past kids/friends to compare to, are you finding the same??? Not meant to be a bragging thread, don’t care about $$$ amounts, but just discussion on what the climate of outside scholarships is this year in your area.</p>
<p>Second year of MM degree and D’s fellowship was increased by 20%. Because she asked for more.</p>
<p>Abasket, your kids are to be congratulated for getting those scholarships. All of mine applied. Only one got anything. But then they were not high, high caliber kids academically, so it wasn’t surprising, though they met the criteria for every single one that they pursued. </p>
<p>However, my son did get a specialty scholarship his freshman year that I think he was one of very few students who tried for it, maybe even the only one. The foundation that was running the scholarship drives no longer wanted to continue this memorial scholarship which wasn’t for very much money and was a one year shot type of deal. So they gave my son pretty much all that was left in the accounts and closed the whole thing down. He was the last to get anything for that group, the well is dry there. It is certainly conceivable that with the economy and markets the way they have been that the same sort of thing is happening to other scholarship funds. </p>
<p>I know a number of memorial funds that give college scholarships, and they do take a lot of work on the part of the family to fund raise each year. The first year is easy. Everyone who knows the person who died is eager to help and donate, but with each passing year it becomes increasingly difficult to raise the scholarship money. </p>
<p>It’s not just memorial scholarships that need donations and fund raiser either. Unless there is a large lump sum sitting in a foundation or a the sponsor has deep pockets and is just gifting the money, they all work under the same principle" they have to raise the money each year. And the ones that have the money sitting there have it in investments and it is entirely possible that the amounts have decreased these years. Some may have invested stuff like the Madoff funds like Eli Weisel’s foundation (not a scholarship, but a foundation nonetheless, and have lost the money. The person handling the paperwork and accounting may not want to do this any more. Scholarship funds die each year, but in this climate, it is less likely that new scholarship funds are set up.</p>
<p>Yes, my number two just receive the “same” scholarship his older brother received in 2006 and it was half the amount. I’m sure the funds were nicked in the market downturn and the foundations are trying to preserve principle to build future endowments.</p>