Despite increases in tuition, more than 33 percent of available funds nationwide go unclaimed every year By Alison Dinong, Staff WriterSan Diego State experienced an increase in tuition this Fall,forcing students to search for different ways to help finance theircollege education, such as loans, work-study programs and other formsof financial aid.

But many students overlook one important source of financial aidthat awards free money: scholarships.

There are many available scholarships that remain unclaimed eachyear because students who are eligible do not apply.

In fact, more than 33 percent of available scholarship funds gounclaimed every year because students are unaware of the money thatis available, according to the National Commission on StudentFinancial Assistance and the House Subcommittee on Post-secondaryEducation.

Pre-nursing junior Sheree Belardo said students may not be able toapply because they have so many other competing commitments.

“It’s free money, but no one really wants to look for it,” Belardosaid. “People just don’t have time.”

One such person is undeclared sophomore Ryan Doughty.

“I’ve been thinking about searching for scholarships, but I’ve gotlots of work and homework to do,” he said.

According to communication professor Jim McBride, some students donot apply for scholarships because it’s a long and complicatedprocess that may scare them.

“(Students) may be intimidated by the scholarship applicationprocess that includes writing essays, competing, waiting and beingevaluated and judged,” McBride said.

Chris Collins, assistant director for the Office of Financial Aidand Scholarships, said there are many common myths that preventstudents from searching for scholarships.

“One of the most common myths is that you must have a very highgrade point average to compete for a scholarship,” he said.

According to the College Data scholarship Web site atwww.collegedata.com, approximately 10 percent of the availablescholarships in its database require only a C average, and somescholarships specify only “satisfactory academic progress.”

The Web site states many scholarships focus on other things, suchas extracurricular activities, residence or the employment history ofthe applicant’s parents.

Collins said many students don’t take the time to search forscholarships because they don’t know where to look.

Students can get information about SDSU scholarships at the OFASWeb site, www.sa.sdsu.edu.fao, he said.

OFAS also holds forums focusing on the scholarship process.

“The OFAS is presenting two freshmen success forums this Fall- one on the subject of searching for scholarships and one onthe application process to help students make the best use of theirlimited time to obtain scholarships,” Collins said.

There are also many professors dedicated to helping students findways to fund college.

McBride presents his students with scholarship information fromthe School of Communication.

“I take time at the beginning of class to explain thescholarship,” McBride said. “I then make photocopies and encouragestudents to take one and apply.”

Collins said faculty members are also there to help studentsprepare their essays for scholarship applications, if they needassistance.

There are many Web sites that can help students with theirscholarship search.

Collins said general scholarships can be located at other Websites, including www.collegenet.comand www.fastweb.com.

Communication junior Ruby Barajas sets aside time each week tosearch for scholarships online. She has won two scholarships so far,including a $2,500 scholarship from the Hispanic ScholarshipFoundation.

Barajas said the application process did not take long at all.

“I wrote a personal statement about my major and my background,”she said. “It only took me two hours to do.”

Barajas said the time she spends searching for scholarships iswell worth it.

“It’s up to (students) to get involved, but they should search forscholarships because there are so many out there,” she said.