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We are working to dismantle scholarship displacement nationwide.
Join the climb!
Did you know that higher institutions penalize students for earning private/external/outside scholarships?
The practice is called scholarship award displacement...
About Us
DISSCHOLARED™ is an ed-tech program and platform powered by YesSheCanCampaign™ that helps students and families understand universities' and colleges' private scholarship policies and the practice of scholarship award displacement. Scholarship award displacement is one of the root causes contributing to the student loan debt crisis. Need-based recipients cannot use their private scholarship funds to fund their gap after federal, state, and institutional aid, as intended by private scholarship donors, causing many students to borrow more or drop out of college. Our goal is to ensure that students and families will be able to make informed college and financial decisions. We are working to dismantle scholarship award displacement nationwide.
Inspired by the YesSheCanCampaign story and advocacy, Senator Troy Singleton introduced S985, legislation that outlaws scholarship award displacement at all public universities in the state of New Jersey. Governor Murphy signed the bill into law on September 24, 2021. In September 2021, Congressman Andy Kim and Congressman Mike Kelly introduced The Helping Students Plan for College Act, the first federal bill to address scholarship award displacement nationwide. We are leading the movement to dismantle scholarship award displacement nationwide.
What is scholarship award displacement?
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Scholarship award displacement is when one form of student financial aid (i.e., a private scholarship, external scholarship, or outside scholarship) replaces another form of student financial aid (for example, an institutional scholarship or institutional grant). The private scholarship can also impact a student's federal loan or work-study package, depending on the higher institutions' private scholarship policy. Each higher institution has its own private scholarship policy.
Note: Scholarship award displacement impacts need-based recipients. It is important to note that higher institutions may still practice scholarship award displacement even if a student does not have an over-award package. Higher institutions may also practice hidden scholarship award displacement when it comes to renewal scholarships.
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Are there any states that have outlawed scholarship award displacement?
Maryland (2017), New Jersey (2021), Washington (2022), Pennsylvania (2022), and California (2022) are the only states in the nation that have restricted scholarship award displacement at all of their public universities. Washington and California have restricted scholarship award displacement at their public and private universities. It is essential to understand who is protected under the laws. See the information map below.
Current Bills
Illinois, Arizona, and Wisconsin currently have bills.
While New Jersey introduced an amendment bill to expand the ban on scholarship award displacement to all institutions of higher education and proprietary institutions in New Jersey.
Important Information Regarding Scholarship Award Displacement Prevention Laws
*Maryland Public Higher Institutions - This law only protects undergraduate students at Maryland public higher institutions.
*New Jersey Public Higher Institutions (Starting Fall 2022 academic year) - This law only protects students attending New Jersey public higher institutions. In February 2023, New Jersey introduced an amendment bill to expand the ban to all institutions in New Jersey.
* Washington Public and Private Higher Institutions (Starting Fall 2022 academic year) - This law only protects students at Washington public and private universities that participate in state student financial aid programs. Note: This law does not apply to public community and technical colleges.
*Pennsylvania Public Higher Institutions (Starting Fall 2022 academic year) - This law only protects students attending Pennsylvania public higher institutions.
*California Public and Private Higher Institutions (Starting 2023-2024 academic year) - This law only protects students attending California public and private who qualify for the Pell Grant or state financial aid under the California Dream Act. Cal Grants are NOT covered under this law. Our organization has received several inquiries from families who have become victims of scholarship award displacement because their students received a Cal Grant. California higher institutions are eliminating institutional scholarships if a student receives a Cal Grant. We have met with the California Financial Aid Commission, and they have told us they do not have the "legal authority" to tell higher institutions to stop practicing scholarship award displacement when it comes to the Cal grant. Therefore, please be aware of this before accepting the Cal Grant. If you have any questions, please reach out to us.
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Americans collectively hold more than $1.7 trillion in student debt.
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