Help Me Hank: College Scholarships

High school graduation can move any mom to tears, but Linda Bouchard was especially proud to see daughter Michelle with her gown and diploma.

Linda Bouchard
"She’s a special needs student and she needed help to achieve where she was…"

But also because Michelle was awarded several scholarships for her hockey prowess and for her hard work.

Michelle Bouchard
"I was proud that I got the scholarships."

Michelle - whose never met a kitty she didn't love - decided to make a career of pet grooming. She registered for college courses in biology and animal care and loved it.

Michelle Bouchard
"Excited…pretty excited."

Michelle loved her studies...but when she eventually decided to cash in on the scholarship money--she got a surprising reply. Sorry, the letter said - she was too late.

Michelle Bouchard
"I’m thinking we just lost $1,100 which is a good chunk of change."

Linda called the scholarship administrator--and got the same reply.

Linda Bouchard
"She said, ‘Oh, well they expire after two years.’"

Linda read and reread the scholarship announcements--there was nothing about expiration dates.

Linda Bouchard
"And she said, ‘Oh we just assumed every body knew that.’"

Now Linda had two daughters in college...two sets of tuition to pay and two batches of books to buy.

Linda Bouchard
"You’re fighting for every cent you’ve got."

And now, scholarship money she'd relied on was just gone--because of a rule she'd never been told.

Linda Bouchard
"I’m not a mind reader, it wasn’t on the forms, people need to be told."

Now - how would they pay for college? Would Michelle have to drop out?

Linda Bouchard
"I was mad, upset - it’s a lot of money."

There was one more phone call to be made – to Help Me Hank.

We checked out at those scholarship letters too--and all the other paperwork that accompanied them--and made a call to scholarship officials.

Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News
"No where in the letter does it give a time limit whatsoever."

If Michelle had been aware of some expiration date-- she would certainly have asked for the money in time.

Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News
"One can only abide by the rules if they know there are rules, and that’s not clear here."

Soon after, Linda got the call she'd hoped for

Linda Bouchard
"She told me Michelle would be awarded her money."

And what happened to Michelle should never happen again--this year's scholarship letters we're told will include all the rules.

Linda Bouchard
"I’m very pleased with that decision, because people need to know."

Many scholarships come with restrictions - so if you win one, first congratulations! And then--look at the fine print.