Cashing in Scholarships

[JANATHOME]

Searching threads I have not been able to find a conversation on this one.

I am fairly new to pro/am or more so new to dancing pro/am scholorship events.
The first scholorship I won was a voucher for 200 credit for next years entries at same comp. I scanned it to my computer so when I wanted to cash it in a year from then I had it. This was an easy one as I always do this comp. I just registered for this comp again and simply gave to voucher to the studio and they took the 200 off my cost of the comp.

Next time it was a cash scholorship. I did not know how to go about or who to go to, to cash in the voucher for a check. So I bring it home and it says it has to be claimed in 30 days. I mail the filled in voucher to comp organizer for which I never received a check.... It was only a $100. cash prize but still I was bummed I never got it. It was the idea of it more than the money.

Long way around my question...when you receive one of these cash vouchers what do you do? How if still at the comp who do you see to cash in this voucher?

 

[fascination]

I never leave a comp without getting paid...never been to one where it had to go toward the next year...and wouldn't be thrilled with that...have done that with single dance dance dollars which have always been computerized and trackable anyhow...

for scholarships though, I go to the registration desk before I leave and they write it out then and there...occasionally they have asked for my address at that time to mail it and to also get information for taxes if it is a large amount or whatever...I would definately find a way to contact that organizer .....

 

[GGinrhinestones]

I have never received a cash voucher for a scholarship, though I have received checks made out in my name, and vouchers for vendors. I'm with Fasc on this one - don't leave the comp without working it out. However, lesson learned - in your case, I would try to track down the comp organizer, or enlist your pro to help you and keep on it until it's done.

On a related note, is it a common thing to get a voucher for cash, rather than a check on the spot? What about vouchers for vendors, etc.? Just wondering - as much as I appreciated gift certificates to dress designers when I won my last scholarship, I would have appreciated a check more. So would my pro - since we had agreed to split the winnings. Hard to do with a gift voucher.

 

[JANATHOME]

Thanks so much for the info...

Now I know, dont leave comp without handing in voucher. I have not done a lot of scholorships but the 2 I placed in everyone so far has been a voucher to cash in or future entry credits. Actually it was kind of nice to use a voucher to reduce my upcoming comp costs.

Now I know, dont leave comp without check.... The missing check, I have done this comp for years as an am/am and know and respect the organizers so now I think I will Email the orgainzer and inquire.

Thanks for the help.

 

[fascination]

and I have no doubt that they will do the right thing

 

[fascination]

it is very common to get a voucher in the envelope that is exchanged for a check at the end of a comp...as many pro-ammers dance numerous styles and it is best to cut them one check...not all comps work that way...but some do

 

[tanya_the_dancer]

I would say find their phone numbers and call them. Sometimes e-mails don't get a response.

I only had a problem with a check once. The organizer wrote wrong date on it, and I had to call them and have a replacement check sent to me.

 

[Standarddancer]

yes 1st thing you do after you get the award envelope is to open to check if it's check or voucher, my friends and I usually do it as soon as we took the finalist lineup picture. As soon as you get off that floor, you got to check if it's voucher, if it is, have to go to registration desk to fill out your info and get your check. If you have to leave immediately after the comp for whatever reason, so you have to mail the voucher, please use certified mail since I certainly won't suggest anybody to trust the post office.

Also I noticed right now, comp organizers like to just put the prize money check into the envelopes (at least they are trying to do so for evening pro events), maybe just to avoid the extra works of all finalists lined up at registration desk for their checks to delay the finishing the evening events. I like that, save me time and extra work to wait at registration desk, because usually after my award, I usually like to jump on car and heading home. Sometimes I share car with friends, so I'm always in a rush to change and go, don't want friends wait for me for extended time.

 

[Standarddancer]

I also once had a problem with price money check, after brought back check to lady's change room, I put it in my suitcase; then I remembered I forgot to pick up our comp video, so I left check in suitcase, just took my purse to go pick up my comp vids, after I came back to lady's change room, that prize money check was GONE !!!! I immediately reported to treasurer of the comp, the treasurer was extremely nice, ensured me that she'll mail a replacement check to me as soon as she can, but first she must stop payment of that stolen check, and they must deduct a bank stop payment fee of $30 from my prize money check I agreed to be deducted that $30 because actually it was my fault, I should put the check into my purse, not just to leave in change room

Anyway, I received the replacement check within a week; so lesson learned, always safeguard your prize money check, take it with you; don't leave it unattended!!!

 

[ViviDancer]

Forgive me if this is an inappropriate place to ask but would someone be kind enough to explain to me what scholarship events are about? We don't have them here From what I've read so far, you get money or discounts for future comps out of them?

 

[kckc]

In Pro-Am events, one can compete in multi-dance scholarship rounds (in all 4 styles). There are 3-5 dances, depending on your skill level (closed is 3 dances, syllabus only, open is 5 dances). Awards are given to the top 6 places (at the comps I've been to anyway. It could be less at other places).

These are monetary awards. As was mentioned earlier, it used to be a voucher you cashed in whenever you left, now checks are given immediately in a envelope in many cases. The comps I go to have a top prize of $500 for open division, closed starts at $300.

The money you win is yours to keep. However, some people choose to give it to their pro for future lessons or events. Or, as a comp organizer said to me once, "lets be serious, we all know where this money is going anyway, right?" She knows my pro too well!

 

[White Chacha]

Forgive me if this is an inappropriate place to ask but would someone be kind enough to explain to me what scholarship events are about? We don't have them here From what I've read so far, you get money or discounts for future comps out of them?

My understanding is that the terminology goes back to a time when a pro-am student's competition winnings would be awarded to their teacher/studio with the idea that the student would receive that value in instruction - hence scholarship money. This would also avoid any appearance that the amateur student was receiving money for their dancing, bringing their amateur status into question.

Amateurs are now permitted not only to receive prize money, but even payment for teaching under some organizations. The prize money is often still referred to as scholarship.

-wc

 

[danceronice]

My understanding is that the terminology goes back to a time when a pro-am student's competition winnings would be awarded to their teacher/studio with the idea that the student would receive that value in instruction - hence scholarship money. This would also avoid any appearance that the amateur student was receiving money for their dancing, bringing their amateur status into question.

Amateurs are now permitted not only to receive prize money, but even payment for teaching under some organizations. The prize money is often still referred to as scholarship.

-wc

Pro-am students STILL can't technically receive money. The no-teaching no-pay still applies to them. So calling it 'scholarship' keeps it in the gray area.

 

[fascination]

and the whole thing is just silly because no matter what a pro-am student earns it never even scratches the surface of what they spend

 

[latingal]

Back on the original topic, I remember one of my first scholarship wins I was given a voucher...and I had no idea what to do with it. Luckily one of the most experienced (and kind!) pro-am ladies in the fields was good enough to let me know what it was and what to do with it! And yes, the short of it is, as most have said - don't physically leave the comp without exchanging it for a check!

It's interesting, I've only received a voucher once in all the years I've competed now. The rest of the time I've received checks at the time of the awards. And I'd like to publicly thank the wonderful comp personnel feverishly writing checks out before they're announced!!