<p>According to the college financial aid website, "If you received a check from the private outside scholarship you must attach the endorsed check to the Private Outside Scholarship Form when you submit it to us." Does anyone really do this?</p>
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If a private outside scholarship is not listed on your award letter, you must report the source and amount by completing the Private Outside Scholarship Form as private outside scholarships may reduce any loan or Federal Work-Study awards you receive before they reduce any grant aid.
All scholarships checks should be made payable to the University of Illinois and sent to the Office of Student Financial Aid with your full name and University Identification Number (UIN) clearly listed. If you received a check from the private outside scholarship you must attach the endorsed check to the Private Outside Scholarship Form when you submit it to us. If you receive need based aid, you will receive a new award letter once we process the information from the private outside scholarship.
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<p>*Does anyone really do this?
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I imagine. If the college is giving instructions to follow that will affect your aid package & you refuse to comply, they would be within their rights to cancel their portion of the deal. Not just adjust the aid package reflecting reduced need, but eliminate aid.
I don't think most students are interested in gambling with that.
Most outside scholarships are much lower than need based or merit aid that the colleges themselves administer- I don't think the trade off would be worth it.</p>
<p>I assume that any big scholarship will be sent directly to college. I was talking about the $250 - $500 one time scholarship from the VFW or your local bank. I didn't intend to hide the money. I just think it is unwise to send an endorsed check in the mail.</p>
<p>It's safe. If the Wingnuts Club gives a $250 check made out to the student, the student writes in the endorsement block: "Pay to the order of University of Illinois," then signs below that. It is then the same as a check to the University of Illinois and can only be negotiated by the U.</p>