How do endowed scholarships work at a community college?

Question

I just got a scholarship to my local community college. So far all the information I have recieved is the monetary amount which is more than enough for a full time semester's worth. I was just wondering what strictures are normally applied to these kind of scholarships and how they can be used. Can I use the money for books? What about childcare? Do I have to give the leftover money back? Also, will I have to go full time to be able to use it? It is an endowed scholarship made just for the Community College. The financial aid office said that they will have information to me by the end of July but I'd like to know as much as I can as soon as possible so I can start planning for things.

Answer 1

Most scholarships you earn directly from a college or university are not the kinds you can "cash in" so to speak for extra money.  (I'm sure there are exceptions to this rule, but I don't know of any).

Usually they credit your account up to this amount of money to help you pay tuition, fees, parking permit, student activity fees, and up to a certain amount for books, etc.  If they are giving you a dollar amount and you know for SURE you aren't going to get the extra cash, I'd consider enrolling in more classes.  

Usually you can take up to 21 hours or so without special permission.  Might as well do it now when you KNOW you have the scholarship as opposed to only taking 12 hours and risking not getting the scholarship next year.  I don't think you could use a scholarship for child care, unless maybe if the daycare is associated with the school somehow.... perhaps on campus and staffed by early childhood education major students.

See if you can find out exactly how much your tuition AND fees will be... at a lot of schools (esp community colleges), the fees are higher than the tuition.

GOOD LUCK.