ThinkQuest Scholarship Notice

ThinkQuest Scholarship Rules

The ThinkQuest Rules from 1996 through 2000 described the ThinkQuest program, eligibility, team formation, and submission of the student’s entries as well as the ownership of the Intellectual Property, information on the judging categories, criteria, award amounts and conditions of scholarship and many other aspects of the ThinkQuest program.

Sections of the rules that are relevant to this announcement are outlined below:

1996

Conditions of Scholarships

Each scholarship may be used only for qualified tuition and related expenses, as defined in IRC §117(b) and Prop. Treas. Reg. §1.117-6(c), as they may be modified, at an accredited degree-granting institution of higher education selected by a Winner. Students may pursue any recognized academic courses that lead to a B.A., B.S. or other similar or higher degrees. The time and conditions of payment of scholarships shall be determined by the Sponsor. For example, the Sponsor may set reasonable time limits for the commencement of the Winner’s collegiate work, or may specify the documentation required to assure the Sponsor that the Winner is following an appropriate academic course at an accredited degree-granting institution of higher education. If (a) the Winner withdraws from collegiate work, or if (b) the college or university reports that progress is unsatisfactory and the Winner makes no alternate arrangements, within 2 years of such report, to pursue courses at the same or another accredited degree-granting institution of higher education, then the right of the scholarship holder to receive further payments will terminate. Any question about the suitability of a proposed program, or accreditation, or the alternate arrangements, or otherwise under this paragraph, will be resolved by the Sponsor. Each such decision of the Sponsor shall, in all respects, be final and binding.

1997

Conditions of Scholarships

Each scholarship may be used only for qualified tuition and related expenses, as defined in IRC §117(b) and Prop. Treas. Reg. §1.117-6(c)(3), as they may be modified, at an accredited degree-granting institution of higher education selected by a Winner. Students may pursue any recognized academic courses that lead to a B.A., B.S. or other similar or higher degrees or non-U.S. equivalents. The time and conditions of payment of scholarships shall be determined by the Sponsor. For example, the Sponsor may set reasonable time limits for the commencement of the Winner's collegiate work, or may specify the documentation required to assure the Sponsor that the Winner is following an appropriate academic course at an accredited degree-granting institution of higher education. If the Winner withdraws from collegiate work, or if the college or university reports that progress is unsatisfactory and the Winner makes no alternate arrangements, within 2 years of such report, to pursue courses at the same or another accredited degree-granting institution of higher education, then the right of the scholarship holder to receive further payments will terminate. Each scholarship for a Student who is not a U.S. national or resident will be subject to similar restrictions adjusted by the Sponsor to conform as well as is practicable, in its sole judgment, with applicable tax and other laws, with the aim of providing scholarship funds for the education of such Student at a college or university of his or her choice. Any question about the suitability of a proposed program, or accreditation, or the alternate arrangements, or otherwise under this paragraph, will be resolved by the Sponsor.

Finality of Sponsor’s Decisions

Each decision of the Sponsor and each decision of any of the Judges, with respect to any matter related to the ThinkQuest Contest, such as determining what is equivalent in this Contest, shall, in all respects, be final and binding on the Student(s) and his or her or their parents or guardian(s), the Schools and the Head Coach(es) and the other Coach(es), and shall not be subject to review.

Modification of the Rules

The Sponsor reserves the right to modify the Rules to the extent that it believes it is appropriate to enable the contest to be carried out most effectively in one country or more than one country and/or to comply with the laws and regulations of such country or countries. However, in no event will any change be made in the Rules to comply with the laws or regulations of a particular country if such change would, in the opinion of the Sponsor, diminish the fairness of the contest itself or interfere with the achievement of the objectives of the contest.

1998

Conditions of Scholarships

Each scholarship may be used only for qualified tuition and related expenses, as defined in IRC §117(b) and Prop. Treas. Reg. §1.117-6(c)(3), as they may be modified, at an accredited degree-granting institution of higher education or non-USA equivalent selected by a Winner. Students may pursue any recognized academic courses that lead to a B.A., B.S. or other similar or higher degrees or non-USA equivalents. Winners who pursue other post-secondary schooling, such as trade schools, may apply to Advanced Network for scholarships. Such alternative scholarships will be approved if they have no adverse effect on other past, current or future ThinkQuest Winners. The time and conditions of payment of scholarships shall be determined by Advanced Network. For example, Advanced Network may set reasonable time limits for the commencement of the Winner's post-secondary work, or may specify the documentation required to assure Advanced Network that the Winner is following an appropriate course. If the Winner withdraws, or if the post-secondary institution reports that progress is unsatisfactory and the Winner makes no alternate arrangements, within 2 years of such report, to pursue courses at the same or another post-secondary institution, then the right of the scholarship holder to receive further payments will terminate. Each scholarship for a Student who is not a USA national or resident will be subject to similar restrictions adjusted by Advanced Network to conform as well as is practicable, in its sole judgment, with applicable tax and other laws, with the aim of providing scholarship funds for the education of such Student at a post-secondary institution of his or her choice. Any question about the suitability of a proposed program, or accreditation, or the alternate arrangements, or otherwise under this paragraph, will be resolved by Advanced Network.

Finality of Advanced Network’s Decisions

Each decision of Advanced Network and each decision of any of the Judges, with respect to any matter related to the ThinkQuest contest, such as determining what is equivalent in this contest, shall, in all respects, be final and binding on the Student(s) and his or her or their parents or guardian(s), the Schools and the Head Coach(es) and the other Coach(es), and shall not be subject to review.

Parents of Students from Countries without National Partners

Each parent (or guardian) of a ThinkQuest Student from a country which does not have a ThinkQuest National Partner (see the current list on the ThinkQuest Web pages) certifies that he or she:

Has determined, from the appropriate authorities of the country and the political subdivisions thereof in which the Student resides, and/or from legal advisers in such country that:

• participation by the Student and by the Coach(es) in the ThinkQuest contest is proper under, and accords with, applicable laws and regulations, and

• the ThinkQuest contest complies with all applicable laws and regulations, no actions must be taken, and no filings or payments must be made, by or on behalf of the ThinkQuest contest with respect to such contest or such participation,
Will promptly advise the Sponsor if any of the foregoing statements are no longer believed to be accurate or there is doubt about such accuracy, and
Also believes that the ThinkQuest contest is fully in agreement with the customs of the Student's country.

Modification of the Rules

Advanced Network reserves the right to modify the Rules to the extent that it believes it is appropriate to enable the contest to be carried out most effectively in one country or more than one country and/or to comply with the laws and regulations of such country or countries. However, in no event will any change be made in the Rules to comply with the laws or regulations of a particular country if such change would, in the opinion of Advanced Network, diminish the fairness of the contest itself or interfere with the achievement of the objectives of the contest. Modifications will be posted on the ThinkQuest Web pages.

1999

Conditions of Scholarships

Each scholarship may be used only for qualified tuition and related expenses, as defined in the USA Internal Revenue Code §117(b) and Prop. Treas. Reg. §1.117-6(c)(3), as they may be modified, at an accredited degree-granting institution of higher education or non-USA equivalent selected by a winner. Students may pursue any recognized academic course that leads to an A.A., B.A., B.S., or other similar or higher degree or non-USA equivalent. Non-U.S. winners who wish to pursue other post-secondary schooling, such as trade schools, may apply to Advanced Network for an exception to the above requirements. Such alternative scholarship will be approved if such approval is not expected to have an adverse effect on other past, current, or future ThinkQuest contest winners.

The time and conditions of payment of scholarships shall be determined by Advanced Network. For example, Advanced Network may set reasonable time limits for the commencement of a winner’s post-secondary work, or may specify the documentation required to assure Advanced Network that the winner is following an appropriate course. If the winner withdraws, or if the post-secondary institution reports that progress is unsatisfactory and the winner makes no alternate arrangements, within two years of such report, to pursue courses at the same or another post-secondary institution, then the right of the scholarship holder to receive further payments will terminate.

Each scholarship for a student who is not a USA national or resident will be subject to similar terms adjusted by Advanced Network to conform as well as is practicable, in its sole judgment, with applicable tax and other laws, with the aim of providing funds for the education of such student at a post-secondary institution of his or her choice. Any question about the suitability of a proposed program, or accreditation, or the alternate arrangements, or otherwise under this paragraph, will be resolved by Advanced Network.

Parental Permission for Students From Countries Other Than the USA Without National Partners

Each parent (or guardian) of a ThinkQuest student from a country other than the USA that does not have a ThinkQuest National Partner (see the current list on the ThinkQuest Web site) must certify that he or she:

Has determined, from the appropriate authorities of the country and the political subdivisions thereof in which the student resides, and/or from legal advisers in such country that:

• Participation by the student and by the coach(es) in ThinkQuest is proper under, and accords with, applicable laws and regulations, and

• The ThinkQuest contest complies with all applicable laws and regulations, no actions must be taken, and no filings or payments must be made, by or on behalf of the ThinkQuest contest with respect to such contest or such participation,
Will promptly advise Advanced Network if any of the foregoing statements are no longer believed to be accurate or there is doubt about such accuracy, and
Believes that the ThinkQuest contest is consistent with the customs of the student’s country.

Modification of the Rules

Advanced Network reserves the right to modify the rules to the extent that it believes it is appropriate to enable the contest to be carried out most effectively in one country or more than one country and/or to comply with the laws and regulations of such country or countries. However, in no event will any change be made in the rules to comply with the laws or regulations of a particular country if such change would, in the opinion of Advanced Network, diminish the fairness of the contest itself or interfere with the achievement of the objectives of the contest. Modifications will be posted on the ThinkQuest Web site.

2000

Conditions of Scholarships

Each scholarship may be used only for qualified tuition and related expenses, as defined in the USA Internal Revenue Code §117(b) and Prop. Treas. Reg. §1.117-6(c)(3), as they may be modified, at an accredited degree-granting institution of higher education or non-USA equivalent selected by a winner. Students may pursue any recognized academic courses that lead to an A.A., B.A., B.S., or other similar or higher degrees or non-USA equivalents. Non-U.S. winners who wish to pursue other post-secondary schooling, such as trade schools, may apply to ThinkQuest for an exception to the above requirements. Such alternative scholarships will be approved if they are not expected to have an adverse effect on other past, current, or future contest winners.

The time and conditions of payment of scholarships shall be determined by ThinkQuest. For example, ThinkQuest may set reasonable time limits for the commencement of a winner's post-secondary work, and may specify the documentation required to assure ThinkQuest that the winner is following an appropriate course. If the winner withdraws, or if the institution reports that progress is unsatisfactory and the winner makes no alternate arrangements, within two years of such report, to pursue courses at the same or another post-secondary institution, then the right of the scholarship holder to receive further payments will terminate.

Each scholarship for a student who is not a USA national or resident will be subject to similar terms adjusted by ThinkQuest to conform as well as is practicable, in its sole judgment, with applicable tax and other laws, with the aim of providing funds for the education of such student at a post-secondary institution of his or her choice. Any question about the suitability of a proposed program, or accreditation, or the alternate arrangements, or otherwise under this paragraph, will be resolved by ThinkQuest.

Parental Permission for Students From Countries Other Than the USA Without National Partners

Has determined, from the appropriate authorities of the country and the political subdivisions thereof in which the student resides, and/or from legal advisers in such country that:
• Participation by the student and by the coach(es) in ThinkQuest is proper under, and accords with, applicable laws and regulations, and

• The ThinkQuest contest complies with all applicable laws and regulations, no actions must be taken, and no filings or payments must be made, by or on behalf of the ThinkQuest contest with respect to such contest or such participation,
Will promptly advise Advanced Network if any of the foregoing statements are no longer believed to be accurate or there is doubt about such accuracy, and
Believes that the ThinkQuest contest is consistent with the customs of the student’s country.

Finality of ThinkQuest’s Decisions

Each decision of ThinkQuest and each decision of any of the Judges, with respect to any matter related to any ThinkQuest contest, shall, in all respects, be final and binding on the team member(s), his or her or their parents or guardian(s), the school(s), and the coach(es), and shall not be subject to review.

Modification of the Rules

ThinkQuest reserves the right to modify the Rules to the extent that it believes it is appropriate to enable the contest to be carried out most effectively in one country or more than one country and/or to comply with the laws and regulations of such country or countries. However, in no event will any change be made in the Rules to comply with the laws or regulations of a particular country if such change would, in the opinion of ThinkQuest, diminish the fairness of the contest itself or interfere with the achievement of the objectives of the contest. Modifications will be posted on the ThinkQuest Web site.

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