SCHOLARSHIP RULES

Rules & Regulations

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Organization: Exceeding Expectations Project and Scholarship Foundation (“EEPSF”)
Application Period: February 14, 2026 – March 31, 2026
Award Ceremony / Crab Feed: May 9, 2026

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These Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) govern all applications to the Exceeding Expectations Project and Scholarship Foundation’s 2026 Scholarship Program. By submitting an application, you agree to comply with these Terms.

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1. 2026 Scholarships & Individual Eligibility

Exceeding Expectations Scholarship

• Award Amount: $1,000

• Eligibility:

• High School Senior (12th Grade)

• Enrollment in a College/University, Community College, or Trade School for Fall 2026

Exceptional Futures Scholarship

• Award Amount: $500

• Eligibility:

• Jr. High Students through College Freshmen

• 8th Grade – College Freshmen

Charles R. Drew Medical Scholarship

• Award Amount: $250

• Eligibility:

• High School Seniors & College Students

• College major in Medicine, Nursing, Biology, or Neuroscience (declared or clearly intended)

Rebecca Lee Crumpler Scholarship for Future Physicians

• Award Amount: $250

• Eligibility:

• High School & College Students

• 9th Grade – College Freshmen

• College major in Medicine, Nursing, Biology, or Neuroscience (declared or clearly intended)

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 Young Scholar Scholarship

• Award Amount: $250

• Eligibility:

• Jr. High Students

• 6th Grade – 9th Grade

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HBCU Scholarship

• Award Amount: $250

• Eligibility:

• High School Seniors & College Students

• 2026 enrollment in a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) (proof required prior to disbursement)

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STEM Scholar Scholarship

• Award Amount: $250

• Eligibility:

• High School & College Students

• 9th Grade – College Freshmen

• College/University major in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM)

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2. General Eligibility Requirements (Apply to All Scholarships)

All applicants must:

Residency

• Be a resident of Northern California.

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Academic Standing

• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent).

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1. Enrollment (High School Seniors & College Students)

• Provide proof of enrollment in a College/University, Community College, or Trade School for Fall 2026 (acceptance letter, enrollment verification, or registration confirmation).

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1. Proof of Academic Record (All Students – prior to funding)

• Submit, before funds are released:

• High School Transcript

• College Transcript (if applicable)

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1. Application Period

• Submit a complete application between February 14, 2026 and March 31, 2026.

• Late or incomplete applications may not be considered.

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3. Required Documentation

To be considered for any scholarship, applicants must submit a completed application form through the online application portal, including:

1. Transcripts

• Transcript from the current or most recently attended high school, college, or university.

• For the application, transcripts that are downloaded, screenshotted, or printed and scanned from the school’s website are acceptable.

• Before scholarship funds can be released, EEPSF must receive official transcripts directly from the student’s school (high school and/or college/university as applicable).

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1. Resume

• Current resume including education, activities, community service, work experience (if any), leadership, awards, and honors.

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1. One (1) Reference

• One reference who is not a family member (e.g., teacher, counselor, mentor, coach, employer), with valid contact information.

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1. Short Essay

• A short essay responding to the prompt(s) in the application.

• Essay must be the applicant’s own original work.

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Applications missing any required documentation by March 31, 2026 may be disqualified at EEPSF’s discretion.

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4. Distribution of Scholarship Payments

Award Amounts & Use

• Each winning recipient will receive a one-time scholarship of $250 – $1,000, depending on the award.

• Funds are intended for qualified educational expenses, including:

• Graduate and undergraduate tuition

• Required fees

• Books and course materials

• On-campus room and board

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Conditions for Payment

• To be eligible for scholarship payment, recipients must:

• Meet all eligibility criteria.

• Provide all required documents (including official transcripts and proof of enrollment/major as applicable) no later than August 1, 2026.

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Payment Timeline

• All payments will be disbursed on or before August 30, 2026, after verification is complete.

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Payment Methods – High School & College Students

• Payments will be disbursed via:

• Zelle

• CashApp

• 529 College Savings Account

• Other approved education savings/IRA account

• Accounts must be in the student’s name.

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Payment Methods – Jr. High Students

• Payments will be disbursed to:

• 529 College Savings Account, or

• Other approved education savings/IRA account

• Accounts may be in both the student’s and parent/guardian’s names.

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Failure to Provide Documentation

• If a recipient fails to submit all required documentation by August 1, 2026, or eligibility cannot be verified, EEPSF may withhold, cancel, or reassign the award.

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5. Winner Selection and Announcement

Selection Process

• Applications will be reviewed by EEPSF and/or its scholarship committee using criteria that may include:

• Academic performance

• Alignment with scholarship focus (e.g., HBCU enrollment, medical/STEM major)

• Essay quality and content

• Community involvement and leadership

• Activities and achievements

• Reference feedback

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Notification Timeline

• Initial notice to finalists: by April 15, 2026 (via email).

• Final notice of awarded scholarships: by April 22, 2026, after verification.

• Public announcement of winners: by May 1, 2026.

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Finality of Decisions

• All decisions regarding eligibility, selection, and award amounts made by EEPSF are final and not subject to appeal.

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6. Award Ceremony, Crab Feed & Dinner

Event Date

• The Award Ceremony / Crab Feed & Dinner will be held on May 9, 2026.

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Participation

• Each scholarship recipient is invited to participate in the Award Ceremony & Dinner.

• Winners in attendance will receive their winner packages at the event.

• Scholarship funding will be provided after all requirements and documentation are received and verified, regardless of attendance.

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Tickets for Recipients

• Each student will receive three (3) complimentary tickets:

• One (1) for the student

• Two (2) for parent(s)/guardian(s) or guests

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Additional Tickets

• Additional tickets to the Award Ceremony / Crab Feed & Dinner will be available for purchase. Details on pricing and purchasing will be communicated separately.

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Attendance Not Required for Funding

• Attendance is encouraged but not required to receive scholarship funds. All funding remains contingent on completion and verification of requirements, not attendance.

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7. Applicant Responsibilities & Representations

By applying, the applicant (and parent/guardian, if a minor):

• Affirms that all information and documents submitted are true, accurate, and complete.

• Confirms they meet all general and scholarship-specific eligibility requirements.

• Confirms that essays and written responses are their own original work.

• Understands that misrepresentation, plagiarism, or fraud may result in disqualification or revocation of any award.

• Is responsible for:

• Submitting a complete application by March 31, 2026.

• Monitoring email for communications from EEPSF.

• Responding promptly to requests for additional information.

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 Use of Name, Likeness, and Information

By accepting a scholarship, recipients grant EEPSF permission (to the extent allowed by law) to use:

• Name

• School and grade/academic level

• City/region of residence (general)

• Photos or video from the Award Ceremony / Crab Feed & Dinner or other EEPSF events

• Non-sensitive excerpts from essays or statements

for promotional, reporting, and educational purposes in print and digital media, without additional compensation.
Recipients or their parent/guardian may request reasonable limitations in writing where permitted by law.

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9. Non-Discrimination Policy

EEPSF administers its scholarships without discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other status protected by law. Some awards have academic- or institution-focused criteria (e.g., HBCU, STEM, medical), but all eligible applicants within those criteria are considered fairly.

10. Privacy & Data Handling

• Applicant information is collected and used only for:

• Eligibility review and selection

• Scholarship administration

• Program reporting and improvement

• Data is stored securely and shared only with authorized EEPSF personnel, committee members, and necessary partners.

• Application materials may be retained for a reasonable period for recordkeeping and will not be returned.

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11. Program Changes, Suspension, or Cancellation

EEPSF reserves the right to:

• Interpret and apply these Terms;

• Modify eligibility criteria, award amounts, deadlines, and timelines;

• Change payment methods or event format (including the Award Ceremony / Crab Feed & Dinner);

• Suspend, postpone, or cancel the program or event due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., public health emergencies, venue issues, funding limitations).

Material changes will be communicated via EEPSF’s official channels and/or directly to applicants when reasonably possible.

12. Limitation of Liability

By participating, applicants and their parents/guardians agree that EEPSF, its officers, directors, staff, volunteers, and partners are not liable for:

• Technical issues affecting application submission or communication.

• Misdelivered, delayed, or lost mail or email.

• Any injury, loss, or damage related to participation in the scholarship program, acceptance or use of funds, or attendance at events, except were caused by EEPSF’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Recipients are responsible for any tax obligations associated with receiving scholarship funds.

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13. Acceptance of Terms

Submission of an application constitutes acknowledgment that the applicant (and parent/guardian, if applicable):

• Has read and understood these Terms & Conditions; and

• Agrees to be bound by them and by all final decisions of EEPSF regarding eligibility, selection, and awards.