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Dennis-Yarmouth committee approves change to scholarship disbursement practice
Summary
The school committee voted April 27 to allow most student scholarships to be applied to first-semester tuition rather than waiting until a full semester of college is complete, a change intended to reduce delays and unclaimed awards.
The Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School Committee voted on April 27 to change its practice for distributing student scholarship awards so funds can be applied to a recipient’s first-semester tuition unless a donor specifies otherwise.
Superintendent Mark Smith presented a memo explaining the current process delays: scholarships are often awarded in June but, under the existing practice, checks are not processed until after the student’s first semester of college and submission of grades, sometimes eight months later. "It just becomes really clunky," Smith said, citing administrative and timing difficulties that leave some awards unclaimed.
Committee member Mr. Martin moved the change "as presented," and the motion received a second and passed by voice vote. During discussion, Miss Bemis asked whether payments could go directly to colleges; Smith replied that paying institutions is generally preferable for tax purposes and to avoid students having to claim awards as income. The chair recounted a local nonprofit that began issuing checks at award night to ensure students receive funds.
The committee did not record a roll-call tally; the motion passed by voice vote. The change will be implemented in practice unless donors request a different arrangement.
