2007  SCHOLARSHIP  RULES

1.      Contestants are responsible for reading and complying with the scholarship rules as printed in the program  book. Failure to meet the established deadlines and other requirements may result in the forfeiture of the scholarship award.

2.      Scholarships shall be expended for tuition and other related expenses approved by the Miss Sierra Vista Scholarship Committee. Other educational expenses must be approved in advance by the Miss Sierra Vista Scholarship Committee.  Miss Sierra Vista contestants may NOT use their scholarship for room and board.

3.      Requests for scholarships are processed upon receipt of statements from colleges and schools or for other educational expenses.  All statements and invoices must be accompanied by a cover letter from the contestant. Requests for payment for other educational expenses  (e.g. private instructors) must be pre‑approved by the Miss Sierra Vista Scholarship Committee.

4.      Contestants must use the scholarships won at the local level prior to applying for their state scholarship. This includes local scholarships from all pageants in which the contestant has participated during the past pageant year. The request for state scholarship awards should include a letter from your local director certifying that you have used your local scholarship award(s).

5.      If a titleholder cannot use all of the local scholarships in the specified time to collect the state awards, she must submit in writing, a request to extend the scholarship time. This letter must be sent to the Pageant Office within one year from the date of the state award.

6.      Scholarships may be used for current educational expenses. Contestants may submit invoices for payment directly to the provider of the educational service or may submit a receipted bill and request reimbursement. All invoices and receipts must be originals. All requests for reimbursement must include a cancelled check or credit card statement verifying payment. Receipts must be sufficiently detailed to verify the precise nature of the expense. Contestants may not request payment or reimbursement for expenses, which are or have been covered through any other financial aid source other than student loans, which meet the provisions of paragraph #8 below.

7.     Scholarships may be used toward personal computers only upon submission of an official letter from the educational institution stating that it is a mandatory requirement in order for the recipient to complete the course work. There is a $2000 limit on the cost of computer equipment. Scholarship award may not be used for software or other accessories.

8.      Scholarships may be used for outstanding student loan obligations provided the loan is not in default and provided the student has satisfactorily completed the coursework for which the loan was obtained. Contestants must submit documentation from the school or lender, which shows that the contestant is either the primary or secondary payor of the loan application. Notice of payments due should be sent to the Miss Sierra Vista Scholarship Foundation for payment. If the time required for processing the invoice extends beyond the due date, the contestant may submit proof of payment and request reimbursement.

9.      Scholarships may be used for future educational expenses. Contestants must begin use of their scholarships within one year (two years for Miss Sierra Vista) of the date of the award. If a contestant has no activity in her scholarship account during this period, the funds in her account will be forfeited.

10.    A contestant who begins use of her scholarship within the time designated above, will then be required to show continuous activity in her scholarship endeavors up to a limit of four years following the date of the award. If there occurs a nine month period in which there is no activity in an account, then the balance of that account will be forfeited. Similarly any balance remaining in a contestant's account four years following the date of the award will be forfeited.

11.    An exception to the time limits described above may be made if the contestant, prior to the expiration date, makes a written appeal to the Miss Sierra Vista Scholarship Committee citing compelling reasons why the time period should be extended. The Scholarship Committee will review the request and determine whether or not an extended time period is warranted. The decision of the Scholarship Committee shall be final and binding.

12.   Scholarships, which have been forfeited, will remain in the scholarship account for future awards.

13.    Awards in lieu of scholarships. Contestants who are college graduates and who do not intend to continue their education, may elect to receive an award in lieu of a scholarship. The value of this award will be set each year by the Miss Arizona Scholarship Foundation. For contestants in the 2007 Miss Sierra Vista Pageant finals, this award shall be $100. The award will be a U.S. Savings Bond with a purchase price equal to the value of the award. It is understood that a contestant who qualifies for and accepts this award, waives her right to any scholarships she may have won in the 2007 Miss Sierra Vista Pageant. Such scholarship monies will be forfeited and distributed as outlined above.

14.    Contestants who wish to apply for the award listed above must do so in writing to the pageant office by December 31, 2007.

15.    Any contestant who forfeits her title or scholarship winnings at the Local Level automatically forfeits any winnings she may have accrued at the State Level.