The purpose of this directory is to provide an overview of all awards offered by the Miss America Organization on the national level. Individual, state and local programs also provide scholarships to participants, and reference should be made to the individual programs concerning these awards. Important information herein is provided about each national award, which should answer most questions concerning governance, eligibility, requirements for submission, deadlines, award values, disbursement of funds, and where relevant, history and background.

The Miss America Organization strives to assure that all scholarship monies won by students are allocated for expenses relative to education. Students wishing extensions or exceptions to standard governing policies often have an opportunity to present their situation to the Miss America Scholarship Committee for consideration.

Continuance of each award will be determined on a year-to-year basis, and each will be offered in whole, or in part, or not offered, within the complete discretion of the Miss America Organization. Decisions regarding continuance are based on many factors, including but not limited to financial and annual priorities.

Our organization provides scholarships to young women competing on the National, State and Local level of competition as well as several highly specific focus groups.

If you are a student and still have a question after referring to the information herein, you may contact the Miss America Scholarship Department at (609) 345-7571 ext. 27.

Scholarships Awarded directly to Miss America Contestants

Active International Scholarship for Business

Albert A. Marks Education Scholarship for Teacher Education*

Allman Medical Scholarships*

Bernie Wayne Performing Arts Award

Charles & Theresa Brown Scholarships

Eleanor (Big Mama) Andrews Scholarship for the Performing Arts

Eugenia Vellner Fischer Award for the Performing Arts*

Leonard C. Horn Award for Legal Studies*

Miss America Competition Awards

National Community Service Scholarship*

Palmer School of Chiropractic Awards

Quality of Life Awards

National Grants & Awards offered through State & Local Miss America programs

Academy of Honor

Anniversary Grants

Matching Grant Program, Local Level

Matching Grant Program, State Level

Miss State Scholar

Starter Scholarships for Local Programs

State Community Service Scholarship

Grants & Award Programs for those outside of The Miss America Competition

Hostess Committee Scholarships

Marching Band Scholarships

* Available to women who do not necessarily compete at the national level.

The Miss America Organization Scholarship Rules and Regulations

1. Scholarship usage:
   Scholarships may be expended for current tuition and related expenses, room, board and other expenses as approved by the MAO scholarship committee. Parking fines, bus passes, I.D. cards, library fines, health insurance or other non-tuition related items are not covered. The Miss America will only pay for course books from the school store. The exception to this is meal plans if the student is living on campus and is enrolled as a full time student.
2. Requesting Usage:
   Requests for scholarships are processed upon written 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 computer equipment will be granted only if the college states in writing that it is a mandatory requirement in order for the recipient to complete the coursework. There will however be a $2000 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 state or local funds available to her, we require a letter from the State Executive Director that they do not reimburse or pay for computers. The original bill of sale must be submitted as well as the original credit card receipt or a copy of the canceled check. Requests for payment for other educational expenses (e.g. private instructors or coursework not related to an accredited four-year college or university) must be pre-approved by the MAO scholarship committee and will be granted only if the contestant is enrolled in school at an accredited institution at least part time or is taking the course as a continuing education unit. A contestant must then use the remainder of her state and/or local money before using any additional national money.

3. Reimbursement Guidelines:
   Reimbursements for rent will be paid monthly or quarterly when the recipient is enrolled as a full-time student. Such requests must be documented by a fully executed lease agreement. Contestant must maintain at least 12 credit hours as a full time student or 9 credit hours part time status and 9 credit hours for graduate. Rent reimbursements do not cover key fees or deposits. Utilities (electric, gas, cable, phone, etc.) are not covered unless they are included in the rental fee. Mortgage payments are not reimbursable or payable. Lease agreements must be submitted along with a current tuition bill showing full time status. For payment of private lessons or non-credit courses, a background profile on the teacher/instructor for acting or singing lessons etc., an original bill, canceled check or original credit card receipt must be submitted and will only be payable if such courses or lessons fall within the guidelines as described in item 2. The Miss America Organization does not issue a 1099 form to the recipient. A letter of potential tax implications will be sent to the recipient if the total cash disbursements are over $600 in one calendar year. It is your obligation to determine whether the scholarship in whole or part is includable in your grass taxable income. Generally, amounts received as a qualified scholarship by an individual who is a candidate for a degree at an education institution is tax exempt. A qualified scholarship is any amount that is used for qualified tuition and related expenses. Qualified tuition and related expenses include tuition and fees required for enrollment and books, supplies and equipment required for the courses of instruction at the institution. To be treated as a related expense, the fees, books, supplies and equipment must be required al all students in the particular course of instruction. Incidental expenses such as those used for room and board, travel, research and other expenses not required for either enrollment or attendance at the educational organization are not considered related expenses, and are includable in taxable income. Awards used to pay off student loans are taxable to the extent the proceeds of the student loan were used for incidental expenses. We recommend you consult with your tax advisor with any of your specific questions or concerns. Please note all reimbursements must be for current expenses only.
4. Priority of Level In Usage:
   Contestants receiving scholarships at the national level must use the scholarships won at the state and local level prior to applying for the funds held in trust at the national level. Verification must be submitted in writing from the State Executive Director that all state money has been exhausted. Outside of requests for computer equipment as discussed in Item #2, exceptions to this rule that may be granted are for payment of student loans and/or room and board which do not fall within the guidelines for disbursement at the local or state level. The request for an exception must be submitted in writing to the MAO scholarship committee for consideration.
5. Usage for Past Expenses:
   Scholarships may be used for outstanding student loan obligations provided the contestant has satisfactorily completed the coursework for which the loan was obtained. MAO will also reimburse the contestant whose student loans have been paid but only those payments, which have been made with-in a one-year period prior to the date, she won the scholarship. In both cases, all 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 The remainder of the local or state money must be used before applying for additional withdrawals from the national funds. Notice of payments due should be sent to the MAO office 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.
6. Usage for Current Expenses:
   Scholarships may be used for current educational expenses after exhausting all monies won at local and state level except for as provided in section 4. Contestants may submit invoices for payment directly from the provider of the educational service or may submit a receipted bill and request reimbursement. All invoices and receipts must be original. 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 item #5 above. "Current Expenses" are defined as those falling within the current fiscal year, beginning in January.
7. Usage for Future Expenses and Forfeitures:
   Scholarships may be used for future educational expenses. Contestants must begin use of their scholarships within 4 years of the date of the award (five years allotted for Miss America herself). If a contestant has no activity in her scholarship account during this period, the funds in her account will be forfeited. A contestant's national funds will be automatically forfeited if she forfeits any money from the state or local level.

   7a) A contestant 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 ten years following the date of her award. If there occurs a continuous, uninterrupted two-year 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 ten years following the date of the award will be forfeited.

   A contestant 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 ten years following the date of her award. If there occurs a continuous, uninterrupted two-year 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 ten years following the date of the award will be forfeited.

   7b) 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 MAO scholarship committee citing compelling reasons why the time period should be extended. An extension will generally be permitted when the contestant has had continuous educational expenses but has not been able to draw down to zero her state and local award within the prescribed time limits above. However, the contestants must still send a written request for extension. The MAO scholarship committee will review the request and determine whether an extension is warranted. The decision of MAO's scholarship committee shall be final and binding.