BAllou story project College Ready Fund

 

Taylor Meashja Randy grad.jpg

Authors of The Ballou We Know who will be pursuing higher education in Fall 2019 may apply for a $500 grant from Shout Mouse Press that will cover initial college expenses. This grant is primarily intended for books but, if needed, may also be used for additional college-related expenses. Click the link below to apply by July 1. If you have any questions contact bspcollegeready@shoutmousepress.org

Deadline: July 1, 2019

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible?

  • Authors of The Ballou We Know who are pursuing higher education in Fall 2019.

  • Note: We must have your signed release form for The Ballou We Know in order to be eligible. Authors with missing forms have been contacted by Shout Mouse staff.

When is the deadline? What are other important dates?

  • July 1, 2019 -- Applications due.

  • August 1, 2019 -- Checks sent to address provided.

  • October 1, 2019 -- All receipts for approved expenses must be received.

What do I need to apply?

  • Your updated contact information, including a mailing address where we can send the check in August

  • Proof of enrollment from your college or university

  • Signed and completed online grant agreement

What counts as proof of enrollment?

  • Any documentation that shows your commitment to attend your college or university. This could be: your class schedule, a copy of a bill, or any other document provided by your university indicating your commitment to attend.

  • Proof of enrollment is not just an acceptance letter. Documentation must show the students commitment to attend the university for the Fall 2019 semester.

How will I receive my grant?

  • You will get an email in July if you have been approved to receive the grant. All eligible applicants with successfully completed applications will be approved.

  • You will receive a check the first week in August mailed to the address you provide.

What does this grant cover?   

  • This grant is intended for initial college expenses that you may incur before receiving scholarship or reimbursement checks. Only college-related expenses will be approved, and all expenses MUST be documented by receipt. See below for included categories:

    • Books / School Supplies

    • Tuition / Student Fees

    • Technology (laptop, software, internet fees)

    • Housing Costs / Meal Plan

    • Transportation

    • Living Necessities (sheets, towels, soap, etc.)

What does this grant NOT cover?

  • Examples of un-approved expenses include costs that are not essential for your transition to college life. These include (but are not limited to) things like entertainment costs (Xbox, movies, music) or food costs beyond contributions to a college meal plan. Do not submit receipts for these items. Stick to the categories provided and you will be fine.  

How do I send receipts?

  • Take a photo of the receipt and email it to bspcollegeready@shoutmousepress.org by October 1, 2019.

  • Photographs must display the name of vendor/store, items purchased, amount, and date.

  • Receipts received after October 1, 2019 will not count towards potential grant renewal. We recommend sending your receipts immediately after purchase.

How many receipts can I send?

  • You are encouraged to send as few receipts as possible that total up to $500. Therefore reserve this grant for larger purchases. Please do not send multiple small expenses.

What if my expenses don’t equal $500?

  • Your goal is to demonstrate at least $500 of approved expenses. You can stop submitting receipts once you have reached $500.

  • OVER: It’s fine to send receipts for approved expenses that exceed $500 if needed. For example, if you want to apply this $500 grant to the purchase of a $700 computer, it’s fine to submit that full receipt. The same is true of multiple receipts that add up to more than $500.

  • UNDER: If by October 1, 2019 you have NOT submitted receipts for approved expenses that total at least $500, you are in danger of being dismissed from the BSP CollegeReady grant program and will not be eligible for future funds.

    • Wait, what, why? :-) Basically: Shout Mouse needs to demonstrate that these funds are all used for college-related expenses. If we don’t have receipts from you for all the money, we can’t prove what it was used for! Thus: just send us $500 worth of receipts and we’re all good!

    • We will send you a final reminder with one week remaining in the grant period.

What if my expenses aren’t approved?

  • If you submit expenses that are not in the approved categories, you are in danger of being dismissed from the BSP CollegeReady grant program and will not be eligible for future funds. So don’t do it.

  • Please email bspcollegeready@shoutmousepress.org if you have any questions about whether an expense is approved.

  • You will be notified by Shout Mouse staff if we have any questions or concerns about any submitted expenses.

How do I renew this grant for Spring 2020?

  • Only students who have complied with all guidelines within this grant agreement during Fall 2019 are eligible for renewal.

  • Shout Mouse staff will reach out in October / November 2019 with instructions for renewal. You will be required to upload new documentation demonstrating your enrollment in Spring 2020 semester.  

  • Reminder: You will only be eligible for renewal if you submit all approved receipts totaling at least $500.

What if I still have questions?