What's this scholarship video contest all about?

TheWashBoard.org Scholarship Video Contest is a joint effort by theWashBoard.org, Scholarship Junkies, College Spark Washington, and NELA to encourage students to engage more actively in their own scholarship search. Not only are we offering a college scholarship for the best video(s), but we also want to hear your ideas on how we can make scholarships more accessible to you and other students.

 

Are all students, regardless of citizenship status eligible for this scholarship?

Yes, the "all high school seniors and current college students in Washington state" eligibility criterion makes it possible for any undocumented students to apply as well; US citizenship is NOT required.

 

What do I have to do to be considered for the scholarship?

Be creative! Make an original video no longer than 60 seconds answering the question, Why are scholarships important to you?, upload the video to YouTube or Vimeo, and then submit an entry form at www.thewashboardcontest.org.

 

What's the prize?

The student(s) with the best video, as selected by our scholarship selection team made up of various community members, will receive up to $3,000 in scholarship awards.

 

When's the deadline for submitting my video?

The deadline is January 31, 2012 at 11:59 PM PST.

 

How do I submit my video?

After you've made your video, upload it to YouTube or Vimeo and enter the link, along with your personal contact information, into the entry form.

 

How long should I keep my video up on YouTube or Vimeo?

You can remove your video anytime, but to remain in consideration for the scholarship, please keep your video online until at least the end of February 2012. Any dead links will not be considered for the scholarship.

 

Who can I feature in my video?

It's up to you! We want you to be creative with your videos, so you include as many or as few people as you want. Remember though, if you film any people in your video, make sure you have asked them for permission. (Same if you film on private property).

 

If I collaborate with other students and the video is selected for a prize, who gets the scholarship?

We will allow groups of up to three (3) eligible students to submit a video together. If you are submitting a group video, each student must include their information on the SAME entry form. The prize(s) will be split evenly—$1,000 each for a group of three (3) or $1,500 each for a group of two (2).

 

What if I win the scholarship but don't want theWashBoard.org, Scholarship Junkies, or NELA to use it for marketing purposes in the future?

By submitting an entry form and signing the acknowledgement of terms, you release all rights to us to use your video (in part or in whole) as part of any future marketing efforts. However, at our discretion, we may contact you about shooting a wholly separate marketing video.

 

I heard this awesome song on the radio, and I really want to include it in my video. Is that okay?

You are only allowed to use music to which you have the express written permission to use. So if the artist of the song you like has not given you official permission to use it in your video, your video will be disqualified. If you'd like to include music in your video, we would recommend using royalty free music.

 

What if I don't have any video-making tools?

We don't want you to NOT apply because you can't get your hands on some video-making equipment, so we've listed out some possible ways to get the tools you need on our Video Tips page. Unfortunately, we cannot provide you with a camera, but we do encourage you to be resourceful! Just don't steal anything.

 

I'm a Washington resident, but I don't attend school in the state of Washington. Am I still eligible?

Yes! If you are a Washington resident, you are eligible to apply, even if you don't currently reside in Washington state for school.

 

I'm not a Washington resident, but I attend school in the state of Washington. Am I still eligible?

Yes! If you are currently attending school in the state of Washington and will be enrolled in an undergraduate program in 2012-2013, you are eligible to apply.

 

I'm not a high school senior or current college student intending to be an enrolled undergraduate student in 2012-2013. Can I still enter?

This year's scholarship contest is only limited to graduating high school seniors planning to begin post-secondary education in Fall 2012 and current college students who will still be enrolled undergraduate students in 2012-2013.

 

If I'm a current college senior and plan to attend graduate school next year, am I also eligible?

Unfortunately, this year's contest is only open to students who will be undergraduate students in 2012-2013. Please do check www.theWashBoard.org for more scholarship opportunities though.

 

When will the winners be announced?

Winners will be announced around the beginning of March 2012. All students submitting entries will be notified by that time and announced on the website.

 

I have a question that's not listed in the FAQ's. How do I find an answer to my question?

You can send us your question at info@thewashboardcontest.org or visit our Contact page.