Miss PA Scholarship Foundation, Inc.
SCHOLARSHIP RULES AND REGULATIONS
The Miss PA Scholarship Foundation, Inc. will award scholarships under the following Circumstances:
1. Scholarship Usage:
Scholarship funds may be applied to tuition, textbooks, supplies, academic fees and other appropriate mandatory educational expenses. All unusual or questionable items of expense must be referred to the Miss PA Scholarship Foundation, Inc. with as much information as possible and far enough in advance for consideration of approval. Amounts received as scholarship payments are taxable income to the extent that they exceed “Qualified Tuition and Related Expenses”.
Qualified Tuition and Related Expenses include tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance of a student at an educational organization, including fees, books, supplies and equipment required of all students in the particular course of instruction.
Payment of all approved expenditures will be made directly to the college, university or other accredited institution unless extenuating circumstances exist (with the exception of computer or musical equipment clause). Personal Reimbursements to scholarship recipients will not be honored, so proper planning and time allotment is essential on the part of the student.
2. Student Loans:
Scholarships may be used for outstanding student loan obligations provided the candidate has satisfactorily completed the coursework for which the loan was obtained. In all cases, requests must include a current bill from the lender showing a current address, a copy of the promissory note showing that the contestant is either the primary or secondary payer of the obligation, and an official transcript showing completion of the coursework.
3. 529 Accounts:
Scholarships awarded at state competitions may be requested for payment to 529 educational accounts. Documentation providing account name and address are necessary for approval.
4. Requesting Usage:
Requests for state scholarships are processed by the Miss PA Scholarship Foundation, Inc. with documentation of statements or invoices from colleges and schools or for other educational expenses. A letter from the local organization stating all local scholarship monies have been exhausted must also accompany the request.
Requests for computer or musical equipment will be recommended only if the college or school states in writing that it is mandatory requirement in order for the candidate to complete the coursework. The contestant may be reimbursed for this expense provided the contestant submits either a letter from the school stating the mandatory requirements or a list of course requirements. There will however, be a $2,000 cap on computer equipment, and this type of expense will be reimbursed only once. Computer software is not a reimbursable item. If a contestant still has local funds available to her, a letter from the Local Executive Director that they do not reimburse or pay for computers is required. The original bill of sale must be submitted as well as the original credit card receipt or a copy of the canceled check.
5. Payment Guidelines:
Payments for room and board will be made to the educational institution (or for off campus housing if your state 501(c)3 permits) to and such requests must be accompanied by appropriate documentation from the educational institution (or fully executed lease agreement) evidencing the charges for same. Candidates must maintain at least 12 credit hours as a full-time student, 9 credit hours part-time status and 9 credit hours for graduate in order to qualify. Payments do not cover key fees or deposits. Utilities (electric, gas, cable, phone, etc.) are also not covered.
It is each candidate’s obligation to determine whether the scholarship, in whole or part, is includable in gross taxable income, regardless of whether a Form 1099 has been issued by either The State Organization, or Miss America Organization. Candidates are encouraged to consult a tax advisor regarding the taxability of the scholarship payments.
6. Priority of Level in Usage:
Candidates receiving scholarships at the state level must use the scholarship won at the local level prior to applying for funds at the state level. Verification must be submitted in writing from the Local Executive Director that all local scholarship funds have been exhausted. Outside of a request for computer equipment as discussed in Item 2, exceptions to this rule may be granted for payment of college or university room and board which do not fall within the guidelines for disbursement at the local level. The request for an exception must be submitted in writing to the Miss PA Scholarship Foundation, Inc. for consideration.
7. Usage for Future Expenses and Forfeitures
Scholarships may be used for future educational expenses, provided, however, contestants must begin use of their scholarships within 1 year of the date of the award. Prior to forfeiture, reasonable attempt will be made by the state organization to notify the contestant of impending forfeiture. If a contestant has not submitted a request to the Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship Foundation for her scholarship award dollars during this period, her right to request funds will be forfeited. If a contestant forfeits any money from her scholarship award at the local level, her award at the state and national level will automatically be forfeited.
6A) A candidate who begins use of her scholarship within the designated time above will then be required to show continuous activity in her scholarship endeavors up to a limit of 1 year (two for Miss State) following the date of her award. Any balance remaining in a contestant’s award 1 year following the date of the award will automatically be forfeited.
6B)An exception to the time limits described in Paragraph 6A above may be made if the candidate, prior to the expiration date, makes a written appeal to the Miss PA Scholarship Foundation citing compelling reasons why the time period should be extended. An extension will generally be permitted when the candidate has had local awards within the prescribed time limits above or has been awarded the state title. However, the candidate must still send a written request for extension. The Miss PA Scholarship Foundation, Inc. will review the request and determine whether an extension is warranted. Consistent with the Code and the rules and regulations of the Foundation, the decision of the Miss PA Scholarship Foundation, Inc. shall be final and binding. Any funds remaining in the account at the end of three years will automatically be forfeited.
The MISS PA Scholarship Foundation, Inc. RESERVES THE RIGHT TO AMEND AND OR MODIFY THE FOREGOING SCHOLARSHIP RULES AND REGULATIONS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.
Applying for the State Scholarship:
1. Your local competition must have mailed to you or attached via email, a letter indicating that your local scholarship has been paid. This letter should be on your local competition organization letterhead and signed by the Local Executive Director. NOTE: The Miss PA Scholarship Foundation, Inc. CANNOT pay state awarded scholarships until we have received this letter. Local organizations have been made aware that they will now send this letter directly to their titleholder.
2. Please fill out the form attached. Indicate the award(s) you have won as well as the dollar amount of the scholarship(s) earned. Also include on the request form, your student or loan ID number.
3. Be sure to include a CURRENT statement from your school or loan institution (i.e. Sallie Mae, American Education Services). The Miss PA Scholarship Foundation, Inc. and it’s local organizations CANNOT make payments to personal loans even if those loans are intended to pay off student loans. Personal loans are different than school loans. MAKE SURE YOUR STUDENT ID OR LOAN ID NUMBER IS VISIBLE.
4. Include the Scholarship Request Form, current school/loan statement and an official letter from your local organization indicating your paid local scholarship and email to debbiebutcher@yorklinks.net. NOTE: We do not intervene in local scholarship payments unless absolutely necessary. DO NOT include the Miss PA Scholarship Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors in any email correspondence between you and your local directors. Under certain circumstances, the Miss America Organization will pay local scholarships.
OTHER INFORMATION:
Once we have compiled and checked all your information, please allow up to 3-6 weeks for processing . Processing may occur sooner.
WE DO NOT REQUIRE TRANSCRIPTS in order to process your request.
We make every attempt to remind the local directors to urge their titleholders to request their scholarships.
Please do not wait until the last minute to send your request. Once you have received your local scholarship, you may request your state award.
YOU HAVE ONE YEAR FROM THE DAY OF THE STATE COMPETITION TO REQUEST YOUR SCHOLARSHIP. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS. THIS IS A MISS AMERICA RULE.
Please note there may be times, due to scholarship availability , through the Miss America Foundation to our organization, where delays will occur. We will make you aware if your scholarship will be paid in this manner. Processing could take six (6) weeks or more.
By filling out this form, you agree to the terms and conditions of the Miss PA Scholarship Foundation, Inc. Scholarship Rules and Regulations.