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Scholarship Rules

APPLICATION

  • For scholarship assistance, you MUST complete the online application for the Scholarship you seek.
  • Certain scholarships have selection criteria, and not all scholarships may be awarded.
  • Please click on each scholarship name to review the information required for that particular scholarship.
  • Individuals can apply for more than one scholarship (if they qualify), but an individual may only receive one scholarship.
  • Only ONE scholarship may be awarded per applicant per year, regardless of the number of applications filled out by any one individual.
  • MARS reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate any scholarship without prior notice. Such action would not affect the scholarship(s) in process.

DEADLINES

  • Scholarship applications will become available the summer preceding the MARS week-long convention.
  • Completed application must be received by the deadline for that scholarship. No exceptions.
  • JANUARY 1 by 11:59:59 pm (ET) – ALL Scholarships (EXCEPT the Milt Techner)
  • APRIL 1 by 11:59:59 pm (ET) – MILT TECHNER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP*

ELIGIBILITY

  • Applicant may be an aspiring, full, or part-time photographer
  • May be limited to class availability
  • Some scholarships will be limited to photographers who have not attended MARS previously and/or have not received a MARS Scholarship in the past
  • Some scholarships may be limited to photographers who have not already registered for the event.
  • Some scholarships will require a minimum number of eligible applications to be submitted to award the scholarship
  • Scholarships must be used in the school year they are awarded (except the Milt Techner)., otherwise they will be forfeited.
  • Scholarships are non-transferable, unless approved by Board decision.

CRITERIA

  • Applicants must adhere to the rules for each scholarship, including application deadline.
  • Only one scholarship per individual
  • Only one scholarship per studio
  • An Assistant is not eligible to apply for an additional scholarship
  • An individual may not receive a specific Memorial Scholarship more than once.
  • If by chance, you have won or received multiple MARS scholarships (either in part or in full) to the upcoming session of the school, for the upcoming year.
  • Only one MARS Scholarship (in part or in full), awarded or won (either through MARS or other Affiliate), and/or discounts garnered through MARS (early registration, sales or specials), may not be combined. You may choose and apply only the highest value of any one scholarship.
  • Awards from other local or State Associations, can, however, be combined and applied with any MARS scholarships, with the Affiliate amount being applied first and then any MARS scholarship applied thereafter, with a total maximum amount not to exceed the current school tuition for double occupancy.
  • MARS Scholarships cannot be used to pay for single room upgrades, add’l persons, meals or other programming or functions.
  • All travel is at the recipient’s expense.
  • NOTE – Alumni Rewards are not considered scholarships. We encourage anyone attending, who has attended in the past, to recruit, and bring, up to 15 first time students with them to the upcoming session. The recruiter will STILL receive $100 CASH for each one. See more about the AMBASSADOR PROGRAM

SELECTION and AWARD PROCESS

  • MARS will screen all applications for eligibility requirements
  • MARS will award scholarships based on a range of criteria
  • Certain scholarships require a minimum of four applications in order to award that particular scholarship.
  • Scholarships are awarded to an individual, not a studio, and as such are not transferable to a studio employee or any other individual.
  • In addition to the criteria stipulated in the particular scholarship being applied for, applicants may also be judged on the following criteria:
    • Desire to attend a class at MARS.
    • Number of years in business.
    • Potential effect on owner.
  • MARS will notify chosen recipients via email and/or phone call, on or before January 31 (for all but the Milt Techner), and recipient will have 3 business days to accept scholarship

 ACCEPTANCE / EXPECTATIONS

  • If recipient chooses to accept scholarship, he/she must notify MARS by the deadline.
  • Recipient is expected to make and pay for their own travel arrangements.
  • Chosen recipients will be asked to complete a profile application to complete the process, which may include supplying a headshot.
  • Recipients may be featured in upcoming newsletters, email announcements or other MARS publicity.
  • Scholarships are awarded on a first-to-accept basis. If recipient declines scholarship, or their acceptance time has lapsed, another scholarship recipient will be selected from the pool of eligible applicants.

* If the Scholarship is awarded, recipient will be announced at the Thursday Night Awards Banquet during the upcoming school-week.