There’s $45,000 in state scholarship money waiting to be claimed
by San Benito High School students who were awarded Governor’s
Scholarships between 2000 and 2002.
Hollister – There’s $45,000 in state scholarship money waiting to be claimed by San Benito High School students who were awarded Governor’s Scholarships between 2000 and 2002.
In 2000, 181 SBHS students scored high enough on their California Standardized Testing and Reporting exams to each receive a $1,000 Governor’s Scholarship, which high school graduates can use to attend college or vocational training.
Though the majority of SBHS Governor’s Scholarship recipients for 2000 claimed their awards, 14 have not. If the scholarship is not claimed by June 30, the money will be lost to them forever.
The Governor’s Scholarship Program was created in September of 2000 to recognize academic achievement of students enrolled in California’s public high schools, said Don Sherman, manager of the ScholarShare Investment Board which runs the program. In 2003 the state legislature passed a law discontinuing the program.
“It’s for students who distinguished themselves,” Sherman said.
Once claimed, the $1,000 Governor’s Scholarship is invested by the state, earning a minimum return of 3 percent per year. Once recipients claim their award, they have until the age of 30 to use the money.
A Governor’s Scholarship can be used for tuition to colleges, universities and vocational schools within California. The money can also be used for books, supplies, room and board and other fees related to post secondary education.
There are also 31 unclaimed Governor’s Scholarships won by SBHS students in 2001 and 2002. Recipients have five years to claim their award.
Even students who don’t plan to go to college immediately after they graduate from high school should still claim their award according to SBHS Superintendent Jean Burns Slater, because recipients have until they’re turn 30 to make use of the money.
“It’s important because it provides them funding for high education. And once claimed it can be banked until they are 30 years old,” she said.
To find out if you received Governor’s Scholarship or to claim your award go to www.scholar share.com/gsp.
Luke Roney covers politics and agriculture for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or at lr****@fr***********.com
