Every time a plate sells, a student gets some cash. This occurs through the sale of UNA license plates, which fund 32 endowed scholarships every year.

Collegiate Car Tag scholarships are given in the amount of $1,800 to eight students from each undergraduate class, said Melissa Pettus, director of endowed scholarships.

“Purchasing a UNA car tag not only allows us to show pride in our university, but also to give back by funding scholarships for 32 people,” Pettus said. “It’s an easy way to make a donation to the university.”

During the 2012-2013 fiscal year 1,035 UNA car tags were sold in the state of Alabama. This generated a profit of $50,456.25, according to the Alabama Department of Revenue’s Motor Vehicle Division Report.

The fee to purchase a tag is $50. Of this amount, $48.75 is distributed to the university, said Carla Snellgrove, public information manager at the Alabama Department of Revenue Media Affairs Office.

Sophomore Joseph Chiarella knew that some of the money from his collegiate car tag purchase went to the university, but he did not know which program it funded, he said.

“It’s a great cause,” Chiarella said. “I think it’s awesome that my donation made a difference for somebody to get a scholarship and I got my UNA car tag.”

Only Alabama residents are able to purchase a UNA car tag, said Lauderdale County License Commissioner William Smith.

“A state has to have enough resident interest in a certain school’s tag before it will print a collegiate plate,” Smith said.

Vice President for Student Affairs David Shields loves having his UNA car tag, he said, for three reasons.

“It allows me to advertise the university wherever I go, it allows me to show my pride in the university and the money I spend supports scholarships for students,” Shields said.

Collegiate car tags can be personalized at no additional charge, Smith said.

“For $50, you can get a standard UNA tag or a personalized one,” he said.

“For $50, you can get a standard UNA tag or a personalized one,” he said.

Janet McMullen, associate professor in the Department of Communications has had her UNA car tag for at least 11 years, and has it personalized to read, “DR MC,” she said.

“I love the identity with the university and the pride that having my tag demonstrates,” McMullen said. “The only problem is, because I have ‘DR MC’ on my tag, I have to be a good driver — not speed or run stop signs — because students, family and friends will know who I am.”

Taylor Stanley, a freshman, did not know that the money spent on her tag came to the university, she said.

“I didn’t know that the money went to UNA,” Stanley said. “I think it’s a good thing that someone who might not have been able to afford to come to school is getting help from these scholarships that are paid for by my car tag.”