Posted on 09/24/2007 7:44:50 PM PDT by TheMom
I need objective opinions.
For the second year I am the president of athletic booster club at TheGirls school (not that big of a deal, we are only 10 strong). Every year the booster club gives scholarships to qualifying seniors.
The criteria for qualifying is (1)The parent(s) must be paid the dues ($10.00 or $15.00) by a certain date; (2) The parent(s) must have accumulated a certain number of volunteer hours by a certain date; and (3) The student must have a 2.5 GPA. The certain date is April 15th.
If the above criteria is met, the student fills out a the scholarship form, then interviews with the scholarship committee. The committee then decides which students will receive a scholarship, then sends the students a letter of congratulations which includes a specific deadline to return important information (the main information needed is proof of enrollment).
Simple right? This year we have drama.
The parents paid their dues several days past the deadline, the check was misplaced by our treasurer and was not deposited until four months later The treasurer should have contacted the parents before depositing the check. The check bounced because the account was closed.
Neither the student, nor the parents send in the important information by the deadline. According to the parent the student was planning to attend one college, but at the last moment was recruited by another – with the offer of a full scholarship for the freshman year. Neither the student, nor the parents informed anyone on the committee of this change until three weeks after the deadline. The parent claims she thought she sent an email, but was very busy during the week of the deadline trying to prepare to get her child to an out of state college. No proof of enrollment was sent in for the initial college choice.
The scholarship committee denied the scholarship. This evening the parent appealed the decision during our regular meeting. The committee met after the meeting to discuss the appeal and decided to meet with the parents later this week to discuss their decision.
BTW – the parent knows that her $15.00 check bounced (which technically means she is not a member of the booster club), and she did not bother to bring in cash this evening to cover the check and the $5.00 bank fee.
If you were on the scholarship committee what would you decide?
It is too late for the parents, but perhaps the daughter would learn from this episode that rules have to followed for good outcomes. Although I sometimes get miffed at “by the book” authority, this incident was flagrant neglect of the rules.
Who gets to hear the appeal? I’d present your case to them just as you have here.
She was derelict. No scholarship. Not Booster Club’s fault and not their job to nannystate the parents. End of story.
Most folks would start here:
The bounced check shouldn't be an issue. Since it was presented past the deadline, it doesn't matter if it bounced or not.
But, in many states, the important question isn't the published deadline. What was the past practice of the organization. In past years, did they routinely accept paperwork and checks past the deadlines? If so, they could be estopped from raising that defense. (The mother could also raise the issue as to whether she was given adequate notice as to the the deadlines when the check was accepted, or should she have reasonably concluded that the deadline was waived by the acceptance.)
The bounced check will also present its own issues. It wasn't technically stale when she closed the account, and she didn't exercise due diligence to see if there were outstanding items before closing the account.
Finally, is the award of the scholarship automatic, or discretionary once the paperwork requirements have been met.
The only advice anyone should give would be for the committee to retain competent counsel in the local area. The committee treasurer may want to retain independent counsel, as well.
Go home and bake cookies.
No, it’s clear what the rules were and they did not follow, for other scholarship info check out a site I found, www.RecruitCity.com good luck!!!
I want to thank all of your for your input.
Here is an update – the parent and the scholarship committee met with the executive board. Each gave their side, questions were asked and answered. The parent stated that her daughter was accepted into college #1, but the weekend before she was to turn in the information her daughter was recruited by the basketball coach from college #2 with the offer of a scholarship. The daughter applied online to college #2 the week the scholarship information was due. The parent called one of the scholarship committee, three days after the deadline to submit information, to explain what was going on. That committee person told her to send a letter via email to the entire committee or fax the letter to the committee leader ~ ~ which the parent did not do (she “thought” she sent the letter).
The executive board has asked the parent to forward a copy of the email from college #2 that states they received the daughter’s online application and the letter that she “thought” she sent, by 10/05. The executive board will meet on 10/08 to make the final decision.
Discussion around the table is to give the daughter half of the scholarship money.
If the parent does not respond to the request for information, the thought may change.
I’ll keep you posted . . .
Again thanks to all for your $.02.
Thanks. I will pass this along to the Senior Center at our high school.
What does that mean?
That means he’s an idiot............:o)
It means he wants a rolling pin where the sun don’t shine.
Well?
Being at home & baking cookies is one of the easiest things I do.
Matter of fact, send me your home address and I will be happy to send you some delicious cookies for Christmas.
I’m slightly confused. Is this from last school year? Did the girl win the scholarship beating out other girls? If not, she has no standing at all.
If so, let her know that her failure to comply with rules cost her the scholarship and it will now be offered to another student.
Students apply for the scholarship towards the end of their high school year. The scholarship $$ is sent to the college at the beginning of their freshman college year.
Because we are a small group, scholarships are awarded to all students that apply as long as they meet the criteria & deadlines.
“Matter of fact, send me your home address and I will be happy to send you some delicious cookies for Christmas.”
Hey, now, I’ll take you up on that one, lol.
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