Unigard Insurance Awards 12 Scholarships

Bellevue, Wash.-based Unigard Insurance Group is awarding 12 outstanding students with renewable $1,000 scholarships for college.

“The Unigard scholarship program was created to reward talented students,” said Peter Christen, Unigard President and CEO. “Our aim is to encourage excellence and offer a financial incentive that helps ease the burden of paying for college..”

Rising education costs make scholarships and financial aid more valuable than ever. Experts at the College Board predict the cost of attending private and public colleges will increase about 5 percent each year. According to that estimate, in 10 years tuition for one year would cost $49,204 and $18,489 at private and public colleges, respectively.

Thus, Unigard is awarding 12 scholarships that are renewable up to three years or until a degree is earned, whichever occurs first, and are based on satisfactory academic performances (2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale). The scholarship program began in 2004.

Recipients were judged and selected by Scholarship Management Services, an independent scholarship program administrator. Winners were selected based on the following criteria:

-Consideration of past academic performance and future potential;
-Leadership and participation in school and community activities;
-Work experience;
-Career and educational aspirations and goals;
-Unusual personal or family circumstances; and
-An appraisal from a non-family member.

The 2006 recipients include:
Andrea Betassa, daughter of Lauren and Richard Betassa of Bellevue, Wash., will be a freshman at the University of Washington. She’ll major in business or math.

Jaysa Crist, daughter of David and Melanie Crist of Twin Falls, Idaho, will be a freshman at the University of Idaho. She’ll major in agriculture education.

Stephanie Hall is the daughter of Keith and Jacqueline Hall of Sierra Vista, Ariz. She’ll be a freshman at the University of Arizona. Her major is undecided.

James Hoy, son of Michael and Janet Hoy of Spokane, Wash., will be a freshman at Washington State University. He plans to major in business or insurance.

Jessica Green is the daughter of Steve and Wanelle Green of Visalia, Calif. She’ll be a freshman and major in education at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.Long Beach.

Stephen King is the son of Marty and Marti King of Spokane, Wash. He’ll be a freshman at the University of Idaho and major in business administration.

Amber Leathers, daughter of Grover and Melinda Leathers of Merced, Calif., will be a freshman at Sonoma State University. She plans to study nursing.

Eric Losey is the, son of Mike and Lisa Losey of Fortuna, Calif. He’ll., will be a junior at Cal PolyCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and is. He’s majoring in engineering.

Kelsey Marsh, daughter of Michael and Karen Marsh of Bellevue, Wash., will be a freshman at Washington State University. She’ll major in veterinary medicine.

Brittany Nelson is the daughter of Kendall and Kaylynn Nelson of Holiday, Utah. She’ll be a junior at Utah State University and is majoring in broadcast journalism.

Katherine Ratliff, daughter of Stan and Carolyn Ratliff of Tucson, Ariz., will be a freshman at Northern Arizona University. She’ll major in elementary education.

Amanda RusnackRusnak, daughter of Tina Rusnak of Yuma, Ariz., will be a freshman at Arizona State University. She’ll major in nursing.

Unigard Insurance Group is a multi-line, property and casualty insurer established in 1901. It operates in the seven western states of Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah and Washington and maintains local branch offices throughout the region.

Topics Education Washington Training Development Universities Arizona