Only entries which conform to the following contest rules will be judged and eligible for awards:

All questions below must be answered YES.

STUDENTS--ARE YOU

• in the 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade?
• living in Maryland, D.C., North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia; except for the counties of Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio, Tyler, and Wetzel? Students residing in these W.V. counties are eligible to compete in the contest at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. See "In which office should I compete?"
• not related to anyone employed by the Federal Reserve Bank, serving as a director or contest judge?
• under the supervision and direction of a teacher?

STUDENTS--IS YOUR ENTRY

• a letter addressed to an investor?
• your own research, writing, original thinking?
• typed between 10/12 point font?
• between two and three (3) double-spaced, single-sided pages, numbered and with  one-inch margins? This does not include the reference or title page.

STUDENTS--HAVE YOU

• submitted only one entry?
• postmarked your letter and student entry forms on/or before the December 18, 2009 deadline?
• completed and attached a student entry form?
• included the title, but NOT the author's name at the top of each page?
• submitted two copies of your entry; one stapled, one paper clipped?
• included a works cited or bibliography page? (not included in page limit) Failure to include references or follow guidelines will disqualify the entry.
• included a title page (not included in page limit) which lists the following:
  • title
  • author's name
  • school name
  • school address
  • school telephone number
  • total number of pages