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Click for a Cause Rules

By WTOP Staff

WTOP – CLICK FOR A CAUSE FACEBOOK CHARITY CONTEST

OFFICIAL RULES

  1. HOW TO ENTER: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. In order to enter, qualifying charities may go to the www.wtop.com website from Monday, April 7, through 11:59:59 p.m. on April 13, 2014 (“Entry Period”), click on “Contests” under the Living navigation bar and click on the Click for a Cause contest, or go to www.wtop.com/clickforacause or wtop.com/click4acause, and complete the entry form to nominate itself, which includes the following: name of charity, address of charity, charity website URL, charity telephone number, point of contact for the charity, up to 250 word description of the charity, charity size by annual total expenses, and a JPEG logo for the charity (to be uploaded by WTOP on the website) (collectively, “Qualifying Submission”). In order to qualify, each entry must meet the Qualifying Submission requirements by providing all items listed above. Any entry that does not contain all of the items listed as a Qualifying Submission or has incorrect information, or whose information cannot be verified may be disqualified at WTOP’s sole discretion. The charities will all be broken out into three (3) separate categories by size, based on annual expenses as follows: up to $3.5 million; $3.5 million to $13.5 million; and over $13.5 million (each, a “Category”).

    Each charity submitting a Qualifying Submission will then be posted on the WTOP Facebook page for voting as set forth in Paragraph 2 below.

    WTOP is not responsible for problems accessing the website or completing the entry, technical or atmospheric conditions that disrupt the completion of the entry, or any other problems which might or might not result from this contest. WTOP reserves the right to have fewer than three (3) Categories if there are not enough Qualifying Submissions received in any particular Category.

  2. HOW THE WINNING CHARITIES ARE CHOSEN: Charities can enter as explained in Paragraph 1 above. Then, from 12:00:01 a.m. ET on Monday, April 21, 2014 through 5:00:00 p.m. ET on April 25, 2014 (“Public Voting Period”), the public can vote for their favorite charity as follows: visit www.wtop.com/clickforacause or www.wtop.com/click4acause (or click on contests under the Living Icon and click on the “Click for a Cause” contest. Then,”like” the WTOP Facebook page (optional), find and vote for your favorite charity by “liking” the charity’s page. Each “like” will automatically be counted as one (1) vote. Limit, one (1) vote per charity per email address. The charity with the most votes/likes throughout the Public Voting Period in each Category (as defined in Paragraph 1 above) will be deemed the grand prize winner of that Category and will receive the Grand Prize (subject to verification). The charity with the second to the most votes/likes throughout the Public Voting Period in each Category will be deemed the runner-up winner of that Category and will receive the First Prize (subject to verification). In the event of a tie, the WTOP will select the winning charity via a random drawing between all tying charities to determine the winning charity for that Category.
  3. PRIZES & APPROXIMATE RETAIL VALUES (“ARV’s”):
    Three (3) Grand Prizes (one (1) per Category): A $10,000 check to the winning charity. ARV: $10,000 each.

    Three (3) First Prizes (one (1) per Category): A series of radio spots (up to $5,000) for the First Prize winning charity produced by and aired on WTOP. WTOP will also assist in creative copy for the spots. ARV: $5,000.00 each. WTOP shall have until December 31, 2014 to run any spots produced in connection with this First Prize, based on available inventory, at WTOP’s sole discretion. Each spot shall be :30 announcements, and run between 5:00 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. Monday through Sunday.

    A qualified winning charity must also meet the eligibility requirements as set forth in Paragraph 5 of these rules. Each winner is responsible for paying all applicable income taxes, if any. A 1099 form will be submitted to all appropriate taxing authorities, and by signing the Prize Release, each winner is solely responsible for the applicable taxes.

  4. CLAIMING A PRIZE: Each winning charity has forty-eight (48) hours from the day it wins to verify the charity is a qualified winner and either accept or decline the prize. If WTOP does not hear from a winning charity within forty-eight (48) hours of being contacted, WTOP reserves the right to choose the charity who receives the next highest number of votes per Paragraph 2 above. Once a winning charity has completed the prize verification process, the prize will be mailed to the address provided by the winning charity or winning charity may be required to pick up the prize at WTOP’s studios at 3400 Idaho Avenue N.W., Washington, D. C. 20016. WTOP is not responsible for problems resulting from the mailing of the prize to the winner’s address. Each winning charity must prove it is a qualified and eligible winner by presenting evidence proving the charities 501(c)(3) tax designation and annual expenses as well as any other documents evidencing the charity is a qualifying charity as acceptable to WTOP. If a winning charity cannot prove it is a qualified and eligible winner, the prize will not be awarded. All unclaimed prizes remain the property of WTOP. Prizes will not be issued to winners unless an Employer Identification Number is presented.
  5. ELIGIBILITY: Charities must be incorporated in Washington D.C. metro region or have a verifiable Washington DC regional area chapter, and the majority of the charities funds must serve the DC metro region (proof of such fund distribution will be required as a condition of being deemed a winner) in order to be eligible to enter this Contest and be deemed a winner. In order to be eligible to win a prize in this contest, you cannot have won any prize or combination of prizes with a total stated value of $600.00 or more from WTOP within 365 days prior to the awarding of a prize to you in this contest. These restrictions apply even if you reject the prize. Employees of Hubbard Radio Washington, LLC, Hubbard Radio, LLC, WTOP, or other radio stations in WTOP’s DMA, or any of their subsidiaries, and their immediate families, are not eligible to enter. Anyone participating in this contest or claiming a prize in this contest in violation of these rules will be disqualified from winning a prize in this contest and from participating in WTOP contests for a period of one year.
  6. RELEASE; CONSENT TO USE LIKENESS, VOICE AND ADDRESS: Each winning charity may be required to have an authorized representative of the charity execute an affidavit of eligibility prior to receiving a prize. Each winning charity (a) agrees to release Hubbard Radio, LLC, Hubbard Radio Washington, LLC, Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc., WTOP (including their subsidiaries, affiliates, parent or related companies) from any and all liability, claims, damages and actions arising directly or indirectly out of or sustained in connection with the awarding or acceptance of the prize(s), and/or misuse of any prize, or to participation in the contest or in prize-related activities, including any travel related thereto, and (b) consents to the use by WTOP for promotional purposes, of the charities name, and the Qualifying Submission (which may be posted on the WTOP website) without any additional compensation. By participating in this contest, each participant agrees to the application of these official rules.
  7. WINNER LIST: For the names of the winning charities, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope before May 30, 2014, to Winners List, Favorite Charity Contest, WTOP, 3400 Idaho Avenue N.W., Washington, D. C. 20016.
  8. MISCELLANEOUS:

    Decisions of WTOP concerning any and all matters with respect to this contest shall be final. Contest void where prohibited or otherwise restricted by law. WTOP reserves the right to change the prize values at any time. WTOP is not responsible for printing errors in the contest materials or these rules. WTOP reserves the right to change these rules, as well as the terms and conditions of this contest, without notice.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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