QRES SCHOLARSHIP TERMS & CONDITIONS

1. Purpose of the Scholarship

The QRES Scholarship is designed to support students who demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing educational equity, uplifting Black learners, and contributing positively to Black communities. All selections are based on the applicant’s demonstrated alignment with this mission, not their racial identity.

2. Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

1. Be a high school junior or senior or be enrolled in an accredited 2- or 4-year college or university.
2. Demonstrate a commitment to educational equity and/or service benefiting Black students or Black communities.
3. Submit a complete application by the posted deadline, including all required responses and documents.

Note:
The application may include optional demographic questions, but responses to these questions are not used to determine eligibility or selection.

3. Application Review & Selection

• A QRES Selection Committee—independent of any educational institution—will review all applications.
• Applicants will be evaluated using a standardized scoring rubric focused on mission alignment, leadership, service, written responses, academic responsibility, and future goals.
• QRES reserves the right to verify application information, including academic records or recommendation letters.
• All decisions made by the QRES Selection Committee are final.

4. Scholarship Award Distribution

• Awards are paid directly to the student, not to the college or university.
• Funds may be used at the student’s discretion for educational expenses, including but not limited to tuition, books, technology, transportation, living costs, or personal development opportunities.
• Recipients are responsible for determining any tax implications associated with receiving scholarship funds.

5. Use of Applicant Information

• Applicant information is used solely for scholarship administration, evaluation, and communication.
• QRES does not sell or share applicant data with external entities.
• Optional demographic information is collected only for internal reporting and is never used in award selection.

6. Verification & Integrity

Applicants must certify that all information provided is true and complete.
QRES reserves the right to:

• Request additional documentation
• Disqualify applicants providing false or misleading information
• Withdraw scholarship offers if eligibility cannot be verified

7. Award Recipient Responsibilities

Recipients agree to:

• Respond promptly to award notifications
• Provide any necessary documentation for fund distribution
• Allow QRES to publish their name, photo, and a brief bio in official communications, unless they opt out in writing

8. Non-Discrimination Statement

QRES does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, or any other protected category. Selection is based solely on mission alignment and application criteria.

9. QRES Rights & Updates

• QRES may modify scholarship guidelines, award amounts, or deadlines at any time.
• QRES reserves the right not to award a scholarship if applicant submissions do not meet quality or eligibility standards.
• Updated terms will be posted on the official QRES website.

10. TAX GUIDANCE STATEMENT

The WEMBACK Scholarship is awarded directly to the student. QRES does not provide tax advice, and applicants and recipients are responsible for understanding the tax implications associated with receiving scholarship funds.

Under IRS rules, scholarship funds may be tax-free to the recipient when used for qualified educational expenses, including:

• Tuition and required enrollment fees
• Books, supplies, and required course materials

However, scholarship funds may be considered taxable income if used for non-qualified expenses such as:

• Housing and meals
• Transportation
• Personal expenses
• Optional equipment or supplies

Recipients are responsible for determining how their scholarship funds are used and for maintaining the necessary documentation for their personal tax records. QRES may issue a Form 1099-MISC for scholarship payments as required by federal law. Recipients should consult a qualified tax professional or review IRS Publication 970 (“Tax Benefits for Education”) to understand their specific tax responsibilities.

By accepting the scholarship, recipients acknowledge that they are solely responsible for reporting any taxable portions of the award to the IRS and for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local tax laws.

10. Acceptance of Terms

By submitting an application, the applicant acknowledges and agrees to all Terms & Conditions outlined in this document.