Final approval of all scholarship award payments (including, but not limited to, Oratorical Contest, Essay Contest, and Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing) to educational institutions selected by qualified recipients shall rest with the executive director. Such payments shall be made to colleges, universities, recognized trade, technical and other types of educational institutions.
The Optimist International Foundation Boards should disburse scholarship funds in a lump sum payment to the school upon proof of enrollment. Any exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis and are decided upon by the Foundation Boards.
Distribution of scholarship funds shall be made in compliance with the legal parameters of the scholarship provisions, as provided to the recipient. These legal provisions constitute a binding agreement which takes precedent over changes in Optimist International policy.
Winners of an Optimist International scholarship in the Essay, Oratorical or Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing must claim their scholarship by the age of 25 in the Optimist year, September 30, or it will be removed from the record. Notwithstanding the above, local Clubs shall be allowed to provide monetary awards for the Essay, Oratorical, and CCDHH contests not to exceed $500 per winner. Clubs are encouraged to consult the scholastic coordinating activities agency for their state or province to determine in advance if cash or bond awards will affect the student’s future ability to compete as an amateur.
Districts choosing to increase funding for the scholarships or fund additional scholarships will need to manage those funds through other resources.