State Treasurer Richard Moore Presents Student Grant Funds to UNC Asheville

Treasurer Moore (center) presents the check to SGA President Casey Crowley and Chancellor Jim Mullen

N.C. State Treasurer Richard Moore brought good news in the form of a giant check Tuesday to Chancellor Jim Mullen and UNC Asheville students. The check, which Moore presented to Chancellor Mullen and UNCA Student Government Association President Casey Crowley, was written in the amount of $340,964, which represents the funds UNCA received last year for student grants from the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (SEAA). UNCA will receive at least that much money again this year, Moore said.

Moore, as administrator of the State Unclaimed Property funds, invests the holdings within the Unclaimed Property Fund and then transfers the interest earnings to the SEAA. The SEAA then divides the money among the state's public universities, colleges and community colleges in the form of student grant money. The funds go to help students who would have to incur loans in order to pay for college. With $580 million in unclaimed property, Treasurer Moore was able to send $36 million in interest earnings to the SEAA this year.

"This is one of the best parts of my job. Not only do I give people their unclaimed property back, I also get to give the interest earnings to needy and worthy North Carolina college students," Moore said.

Chancellor Mullen said that UNC Asheville was deeply appreciative of North Carolina's commitment to its college students.

"It is a tremendous honor to receive this scholarship award from State Treasurer Richard Moore," Chancellor Mullen said. "It is an extraordinary fact that the State of North Carolina, in good times and in challenging times, has always made this commitment to ensure that the young people in this state have the opportunity to purse higher education at campuses such as UNC Asheville. This is a testimony to the people of North Carolina and to the wisdom of its

government leaders. We are deeply appreciative of this commitment. It will make a profound difference in the lives of the young men and women who attend UNC Asheville in pursuit of an exceptional liberal arts education."

SGA President Crowley agreed. "UNCA students truly appreciate North Carolina's efforts on their behalf. Many of us go to college on a tight budget and these funds help guarantee the continuing accessibility of a North Carolina state education. It's great to live in a state that has faith in the power of investing in its students," Crowley said.

Chancellor Mullen and Crowley were not the only people delighted with the funds from the state. Steven Brooks, SEAA Executive Director, was also happy about Treasurer Moore's announcement. "Treasurer Moore has done an outstanding job encouraging business to turn in unclaimed property to the state. Because of his efforts we are receiving our largest check ever that will go toward grants for North Carolina's college students," Brooks said.

Through the Unclaimed Property Program (Escheats Fund), Treasurer Moore works to recover unclaimed or forgotten property and to reunite these properties with the rightful owners.

The Unclaimed Property Program includes abandoned money - such as bank accounts, contents of safety deposit boxes and checks - that have not been closed or cashed. Those responsible for the money try to locate the owners, and if unsuccessful after three years turn over the property to the Department of the State Treasurer.

Through an online database, people can search by last name or city to see if the state has unclaimed property belonging to them. This is a free service provided by the state; there is no deadline for filing a claim.

In 2002, North Carolina refunded more than $14.7 million in unclaimed property to the rightful owners. For more information about unclaimed property visit www.treasurer.state.nc.us or call Leah Anne Rice at 919/508-1025.

Media Contacts:

• Merianne Epstein, UNCA Public Information, 828/251-6676
• Julie White, Communications Director, Office of the State Treasurer, 919/508-1024