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NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS SWEEPSTAKES.  PURCHASES DO NOT INCREASE ODDS OF WINNING. ODDS OF WINNING DEPEND ON NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE ENTRIES RECEIVED. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

1. Sweepstakes Participation in the Ascent’s Apple Airpods Social Media Giveaway (the “Sweepstakes”) constitutes Entrant’s (as defined below) full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules. Entrant is free to disclaim the prize and status as Entrant, and as a result will not be eligible to receive the prize. The Promotion is sponsored and administered by Ascent Funding, LLC, (“Ascent”) 501 W Broadway Ste. A150, San Diego, CA 92101 (“Sponsor”). All decisions related to, as well as all interpretation of, these Official Rules by Sponsor are final and binding.  While this Promotion may be promoted via social media websites, such websites are not affiliated with Sponsor or this Promotion. This Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat or any other site or medium that might host content where information about this Promotion is posted or published (collectively “Content Hosts”).  Entrant is providing information only to Sponsor and not to Content Hosts.

2. Sweepstakes Period. The Sweepstakes begins at 9:00 AM Pacific Time (PT) on September 15, 2021, and ends at 8:59 AM PT on September 22, 2021 (the “Sweepstakes Period”). Only entries submitted and received during the Sweepstakes Period will be accepted. Sponsor is the official timekeeper of this Sweepstakes.

3. Eligibility. The Sweepstakes is open only to: students that are (i) enrolled in a degree program at least half-time, or technical skills training program (for example, a coding bootcamp) and (ii) legal residents of one of the fifty United States or the District of Columbia, age 18 or older. Employees or agents of Sponsor or its parent or affiliate companies or suppliers, as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings, and children) and household members of each such employee or agent, are not eligible. Legal entities are not eligible to enter. Eligibility is contingent upon agreement to, compliance with, and fulfillment of all requirements of these Official Rules. Participation in the Sweepstakes in any way, including submission of any entry or the partial completion of any act of entry or any other step taken to participate in the Sweepstakes in any manner, constitutes full and unconditional agreement with all provisions of these Official Rules.

4. How to Enter. NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY. PURCHASES DO NOT INCREASE ODDS OF WINNING.  Each eligible individual who completes the entry requirements during the Sweepstakes Period by submitting an entry will become an “Entrant.” Each Entrant will receive one entry in the Sweepstakes per Sweepstakes Period. Limit one (1) entry per person per Sweepstakes Period. You may enter the Sweepstakes by completing the following steps:

1. 1. Follow @ascentfunding
   2. Like this post
   3. Tag 2 friends you’re planning on studying with this year!

5. Further Conditions of Entry. By entering or participating in this Sweepstakes, Entrant agrees to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsor and its authorized representatives, which are final and binding in all matters concerning this Sweepstakes. Entries not legitimately submitted in accordance with these Official Rules are void.  Only qualified entries received by Sponsor during the Sweepstakes Period are eligible for participation. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned.

Entrants may be required to provide the following information to be eligible for a Sweepstakes prize: first name, last name, confirmation of age and residency, and email address, phone number (including area code). All requested Personal Information must be provided to be eligible to win a prize. Unintelligible entries; entries with incomplete, invalid, incorrect, or noncurrent information; entries that are counterfeit, damaged, or tampered with in any way; and entries with printing, production, or typographical errors may be disqualified. Entries that are late, lost, damaged, misdirected, stolen, or not delivered are not the responsibility of Sponsor and will be disqualified. Sponsor is not responsible for erroneous, expired, canceled, fraudulent, or fake information provided during Sweepstakes. Proof of sent entry and/or entry receipt (such as a copy of a “thank you” screen or message) does not constitute proof of actual receipt of entry by Sponsor for purposes of this Sweepstakes.

Participation must be by Entrants who are eligible individuals. Participation by any other individual or entity, or originating at any other website, email address, or phone number, including, but not limited to, commercial Sweepstakes, subscription notification, automated entry, and Sweepstakes entering service sites, is invalid and will be disqualified from this Sweepstakes. Any attempt by any Entrant to obtain more than the stated number of entries by using multiple email addresses, phone numbers, identities, registrations, or logins; entries through a sweepstakes club or similar entity; or any other unauthorized method of entry will void all of Entrant’s entries and Entrant will be disqualified from the entire Sweepstakes. Submitting mass entries or entries generated by an automated program, script, or macro, or the use of any other similar device, program, or method to enter this Sweepstakes is prohibited and will result in disqualification.

In the event of a dispute as to the identity of Entrant, the authorized account holder of the email address submitted with the entry will be deemed to be Entrant. The potential winner may be required to show proof of being the authorized account holder. The “authorized account holder” of an email address is the natural person assigned to that email address by any internet service provider or organization (business, educational institution, etc.) responsible for assigning accounts to that email address.  If the identity of the individual who actually participated in the Sweepstakes cannot be resolved to Sponsor’s satisfaction, the affected individual’s entry will be deemed ineligible.

Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, disqualify any Entrant or individual it finds to be in violation of these Official Rules, tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes (including, but not limited to, tampering with websites, email addresses, or phone numbers), or acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner.  Any attempt to undermine the operation of the Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal or civil law, and Sponsor may seek damages to the fullest extent permitted by law from any person it finds to have made such an attempt.

6. Prize. There is one (1) Apple Airpods available to be won per Sweepstakes Period. Approximate retail value (ARV) of the prize per Sweepstakes Period is $130.

Prize will be delivered via email following winner verification. Federal, state, and local taxes and all other costs and expenses associated with acceptance and use of the prize are the winner’s sole responsibility. If the potential winner elects not to partake in any portion of the prize, such a potential winner will be disqualified and will forfeit the prize, and the prize will be awarded to a different winner selected in the same manner.

If the potential winner is disqualified, not eligible, or for any other reason cannot accept the prize as stated, then Sponsor will randomly select a new potential winner from the remaining pool of eligible Entrants. Where legal, the winner may be required to submit, without alteration and in the form provided by Sponsor, a completed and signed Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability & Publicity Release (the “Release”), along with a properly completed U.S. Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Form W-9, within three (3) business days of notification to be eligible to receive the prize.  The winner may be issued a U.S. Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Form 1099 and related tax forms for the actual value of the prize provided by Sponsor.

Only one (1) prize as set forth in these Official Rules will be awarded. In the event that any mistake, failure, or discrepancy causes more than one (1) prize as set forth in these Official Rules to be promoted, noticed, or claimed, Sponsor may award one (1) prize by conducting a random drawing from among all legitimate, unawarded, eligible prize claims.

7. Winner Selection and Verification. One (1) potential winner will be randomly drawn promptly after the close of the Sweepstakes Period from the pool of all eligible entries received during the Sweepstakes Period.

Potential winner is subject to eligibility verification by Sponsor, whose decisions are final and binding. An Entrant is not a winner of the prize, even if notified of being a winner and/or issued any item of value, unless and until Entrant’s eligibility has been, and continues to be verified to the satisfaction of Sponsor.

To be verified as eligible to receive a prize, the potential winner must fulfill all requirements and continue to comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules, and not be disqualified for any reason. The potential winner will be notified by Instagram direct message. If the potential winner cannot be contacted using the information provided in the entry or fails to respond to Sponsor’s attempt to notify the potential winner of selection within three (3) business days of notification; if the prize or notification is returned as undeliverable (regardless if the message is ultimately delivered to the recipient); if the potential winner fails to sign and return the Release, Form W-9  or any other required documentation within three (3) business days of notification or fails to comply with these Official Rules; if the potential winner is unable or unwilling to accept the prize as stated; or if the potential winner cannot be verified as eligible for any reason at any time before, during, or after the Sweepstakes Period; if the potential winner is unwilling to post they won a portion of them on their Instagram story after verification and confirmation as a winner, the potential winner may be disqualified and forfeit the prize and an alternate potential winner will be randomly selected from among the remaining eligible entries.

In the event that an Entrant is disqualified as the potential winner for any reason, the foregoing process will be repeated until the prize is awarded.

Odds of winning the prize depend on the number of eligible entries received.

8. Prize Fulfillment: The prize will be delivered to the winner’s preferred address within (1) week following winner verification by Sponsor. Sponsor will not be responsible for any delays by the potential winner.

9. Limitations of Liability. By entering or participating in this Sweepstakes or the prize in any way, each Entrant agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless, and thereby does release and discharge Sponsor, Prize Provider, Content Hosts, and each of their respective subsidiaries, affiliates, vendors, advertising or promotional agencies and distributors, and each of their respective parent companies and each such company’s officers, directors, employees and agents, as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members of each such individual (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from and against any loss, damage, injury, claim, or cause of action related in any way whatsoever to this Sweepstakes, these Official Rules, or the rights, consents and licenses granted by Entrants to Sponsor under these Official Rules, including, but not limited to, infringement of any right of privacy, publicity or intellectual property; threatened or actual injury, loss or damage to any person, including death and disability; defamation or portrayal in a false light (intentional and unintentional); invasion of privacy; and damage to or loss of property, arising out of such Entrant’s participation in the Sweepstakes or receipt or use, non-use or misuse of the prize. In no event will Released Parties be responsible or liable for any damages or losses of any kind, including indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of this Sweepstakes. (Some jurisdictions may not allow the limitations or exclusion of liability for incidental or consequential damages or exclusion of implied warranties. Check local laws for restrictions regarding these limitations or exclusions.)

Entrants waive any right to claim ambiguity in these Official Rules. The Released Parties are not responsible for: (1) technical failures of any kind; (2) incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by Entrants, any internet or email service provider, any promotional or advertising agency, printing or computing errors, or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Sweepstakes; (3) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Sweepstakes; (4) technical or human error that may occur in the administration of the Sweepstakes, the processing of entries or the announcement of the winner and prize; (5) any injury or damage to persons or property that may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, by Entrant’s participation in the Sweepstakes; (6) the receipt, use or misuse of the prize; or (7) any other errors in any materials, information or announcements associated with the Sweepstakes.  If for any reason an Entrant’s entry is confirmed to have been erroneously deleted, lost, or otherwise destroyed or corrupted by Sponsor, Entrant’s sole remedy is another entry in the Sweepstakes, subject to availability and provided that the Sweepstakes Period has not then expired.

EACH ENTRANT WAIVES CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE § 1542 (AND ALL SIMILAR LAWS OF ANY STATE OR TERRITORY OF THE UNITED STATES), WHICH READS: “A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.” EACH ENTRANT REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS FULL UNDERSTANDING OF, AND ACKNOWLEDGES THE SIGNIFICANCE AND CONSEQUENCE OF, WAIVER OF CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE § 1542 (AND ALL SIMILAR LAWS OF ANY STATE OR TERRITORY OF THE UNITED STATES).

10. License from Entrant. To the extent allowed by law, participation in the Sweepstakes in any way and/or acceptance of the prize constitutes winner’s irrevocable consent for, and grant of a non-exclusive, sub-licensable, and assignable license to Sponsor to use, publish, post, or display winner’s name, likeness, photograph, voice, opinions, statements, prize information, biographical information, and/or hometown and state, province, or territory, regardless of whether altered, modified, distorted, edited, or used alone or with other material, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, for promotional, advertising, trade, and publicity purposes in a winner’s list and in any medium now known or later discovered, worldwide and in perpetuity, without review or approval by the winner, and without further notice, payment, or consideration of any kind to the winner.

All rights, consents, and licenses granted to Sponsor, and Prize Provider under these Official Rules will survive the termination of this Sweepstakes. Winner’s consent and license may only be revoked in writing, and the mere ending of this Sweepstakes or Sweepstakes Period is not sufficient to revoke such consent or license.

11. Right to Modify or Cancel. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Official Rules will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. In the event any provision is found invalid or unenforceable, these Official Rules will otherwise remain in effect in accordance with their terms as if the invalid or unenforceable provision was never included. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules does not constitute a waiver of that provision.

Sponsor may cancel, suspend and/or modify the Sweepstakes or any part of it, in any way, if Sponsor determines in its sole discretion that the Sweepstakes is not capable of executing as Sponsor intended, or that any mistake, clerical, or typographical error, omission, fraud, technical failure, tampering, computer virus, or other factors, technical or otherwise, beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control, impairs or may impair Sponsor’s ability to properly conduct the Sweepstakes, subject to any applicable law or regulation.  In such an event, Sponsor will award the prize by conducting a random drawing from among the eligible entries received up to the time of the cancellation, suspension, or modification of the Sweepstakes.  Inclusion in such random drawing is Entrant’s exclusive remedy under such circumstances.

12. Disputes. Except where prohibited by law, Entrant agrees that: (1) all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Sweepstakes or the prize will be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the appropriate federal or state court located in San Diego County, California; and (2) all claims, judgments, and awards will be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering this Sweepstakes, but in no event attorneys’ fees. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation, and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights or obligations of Entrant or Sponsor in connection with the Sweepstakes or the prize, are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules, no matter what jurisdiction, that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than as stated.

13. Privacy. By entering the Sweepstakes, Entrant agrees to Sponsor’s collection, use, and retention of Entrant’s Personal Information submitted in connection with the Sweepstakes for communications about the Sweepstakes and to send marketing emails to Entrants.  Unsubscribe instructions will be provided in each marketing email.  Personal Information collected from Entrant is subject to Sponsor’s privacy policy, which can be found at https://www.ascentfunding.com/privacy-notice, and by entering this Sweepstakes, Entrant agrees to this Privacy Policy.

14. Official Rules and Winner’s List. For a copy of these Official Rules or the winner’s list, print the requestor’s name, address, city, state, or province/territory, and zip or postal code on a 3×5″ postcard and mail it to Ascent Funding, 501 W Broadway Ste. A150, San Diego, CA 92101, by three (3) months after the close of the Sweepstakes Period. Specify if the request is for a copy of these Official Rules and/or the winner’s list.  Limit one request per person, per household.

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS SWEEPSTAKES.  PURCHASES DO NOT INCREASE ODDS OF WINNING. ODDS OF WINNING DEPEND ON NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE ENTRIES RECEIVED. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

1. Sweepstakes. Participation in the Ascent’s Polaroid Camera Social Media Giveaway (the “Sweepstakes”) constitutes Entrant’s (as defined below) full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules. Entrant is free to disclaim the prize and status as Entrant, and as a result will not be eligible to receive the prize. The Promotion is sponsored and administered by Ascent Funding, LLC, (“Ascent”) 501 W Broadway Ste. A150, San Diego, CA 92101 (“Sponsor”). All decisions related to, as well as all interpretation of, these Official Rules by Sponsor are final and binding.  While this Promotion may be promoted via social media websites, such websites are not affiliated with Sponsor or this Promotion. This Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat or any other site or medium that might host content where information about this Promotion is posted or published (collectively “Content Hosts”).  Entrant is providing information only to Sponsor and not to Content Hosts.

2. Sweepstakes Period. The Sweepstakes begins at 9:00 AM Pacific Time (PT) on September 8, 2021 and ends at 8:59 AM PT on September 15, 2021 (the “Sweepstakes Period”). Only entries submitted and received during the Sweepstakes Period will be accepted. Sponsor is the official timekeeper of this Sweepstakes.

3. Eligibility. The Sweepstakes is open only to: students that are (i) enrolled in a degree program at least half-time, or technical skills training program (for example, a coding bootcamp) and (ii) legal residents of one of the fifty United States or the District of Columbia, age 18 or older. Employees or agents of Sponsor or its parent or affiliate companies or suppliers, as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings, and children) and household members of each such employee or agent, are not eligible. Legal entities are not eligible to enter. Eligibility is contingent upon agreement to, compliance with, and fulfillment of all requirements of these Official Rules. Participation in the Sweepstakes in any way, including submission of any entry or the partial completion of any act of entry or any other step taken to participate in the Sweepstakes in any manner, constitutes full and unconditional agreement with all provisions of these Official Rules.

4. How to Enter. NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY. PURCHASES DO NOT INCREASE ODDS OF WINNING.  Each eligible individual who completes the entry requirements during the Sweepstakes Period by submitting an entry will become an “Entrant.” Each Entrant will receive one entry in the Sweepstakes per Sweepstakes Period. Limit one (1) entry per person per Sweepstakes Period. You may enter the Sweepstakes by completing the following steps:

1. 1. Follow Ascent Funding on Instagram (@ascentfunding).
   2. Like Ascent’s Instagram post.
   3. Tag at least two friends on Ascent’s instagram post.

5. Further Conditions of Entry. By entering or participating in this Sweepstakes, Entrant agrees to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsor and its authorized representatives, which are final and binding in all matters concerning this Sweepstakes. Entries not legitimately submitted in accordance with these Official Rules are void.  Only qualified entries received by Sponsor during the Sweepstakes Period are eligible for participation. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned.

Entrants may be required to provide the following information to be eligible for a Sweepstakes prize: first name, last name, confirmation of age and residency, and email address, phone number (including area code). All requested Personal Information must be provided to be eligible to win a prize. Unintelligible entries; entries with incomplete, invalid, incorrect, or noncurrent information; entries that are counterfeit, damaged or tampered with in any way; and entries with printing, production or typographical errors may be disqualified. Entries that are late, lost, damaged, misdirected, stolen, or not delivered are not the responsibility of Sponsor and will be disqualified. Sponsor is not responsible for erroneous, expired, canceled, fraudulent, or fake information provided during Sweepstakes. Proof of sent entry and/or entry receipt (such as a copy of a “thank you” screen or message) does not constitute proof of actual receipt of entry by Sponsor for purposes of this Sweepstakes.

Participation must be by Entrants who are eligible individuals. Participation by any other individual or entity, or originating at any other website, email address, or phone number, including, but not limited to, commercial Sweepstakes, subscription notification, automated entry, and Sweepstakes entering service sites, is invalid and will be disqualified from this Sweepstakes. Any attempt by any Entrant to obtain more than the stated number of entries by using multiple email addresses, phone numbers, identities, registrations, or logins; entries through a sweepstakes club or similar entity; or any other unauthorized method of entry will void all of Entrant’s entries and Entrant will be disqualified from the entire Sweepstakes. Submitting mass entries or entries generated by an automated program, script, or macro, or the use of any other similar device, program, or method to enter this Sweepstakes is prohibited and will result in disqualification.

In the event of a dispute as to the identity of Entrant, the authorized account holder of the email address submitted with the entry will be deemed to be Entrant. The potential winner may be required to show proof of being the authorized account holder. The “authorized account holder” of an email address is the natural person assigned to that email address by any internet service provider or organization (business, educational institution, etc.) responsible for assigning accounts to that email address.  If the identity of the individual who actually participated in the Sweepstakes cannot be resolved to Sponsor’s satisfaction, the affected individual’s entry will be deemed ineligible.

Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, disqualify any Entrant or individual it finds to be in violation of these Official Rules, tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes (including, but not limited to, tampering with websites, email addresses, or phone numbers), or acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner.  Any attempt to undermine the operation of the Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal or civil law, and Sponsor may seek damages to the fullest extent permitted by law from any person it finds to have made such an attempt.

6. Prize. There is one (1) FujiFilm Polaroid Camera prize available to be won per Sweepstakes Period. Approximate retail value (ARV) of the prize per Sweepstakes Period is $110.

Prize will be delivered via email following winner verification. Federal, state, and local taxes and all other costs and expenses associated with acceptance and use of the prize are the winner’s sole responsibility. If the potential winner elects not to partake in any portion of the prize, such potential winner will be disqualified and will forfeit the prize, and the prize will be awarded to a different winner selected in the same manner.

If the potential winner is disqualified, not eligible, or for any other reason cannot accept the prize as stated, then Sponsor will randomly select a new potential winner from the remaining pool of eligible Entrants. Where legal, the winner may be required to submit, without alteration and in the form provided by Sponsor, a completed and signed Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability & Publicity Release (the “Release”), along with a properly completed U.S. Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Form W-9, within three (3) business days of notification to be eligible to receive the prize.  The winner may be issued a U.S. Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Form 1099 and related tax forms for the actual value of the prize provided by Sponsor.

Only one (1) prize as set forth in these Official Rules will be awarded. In the event that any mistake, failure, or discrepancy causes more than one (1) prize as set forth in these Official Rules to be promoted, noticed, or claimed, Sponsor may award one (1) prize by conducting a random drawing from among all legitimate, unawarded, eligible prize claims.

7. Winner Selection and Verification. One (1) potential winner will be randomly drawn promptly after close of the Sweepstakes Period from the pool of all eligible entries received during the Sweepstakes Period.

Potential winner is subject to eligibility verification by Sponsor, whose decisions are final and binding. An Entrant is not a winner of the prize, even if notified of being a winner and/or issued any item of value, unless and until Entrant’s eligibility has been, and continues to be verified to the satisfaction of Sponsor.

To be verified as eligible to receive a prize, the potential winner must fulfill all requirements and continue to comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules, and not be disqualified for any reason. The potential winner will be notified by Instagram direct message. If the potential winner cannot be contacted using the information provided in the entry or fails to respond to Sponsor’s attempt to notify the potential winner of selection within three (3) business days of notification; if the prize or notification is returned as undeliverable (regardless if the message is ultimately delivered to the recipient); if the potential winner fails to sign and return the Release, Form W-9  or any other required documentation within three (3) business days of notification or fails to comply with these Official Rules; if the potential winner is unable or unwilling to accept the prize as stated; or if the potential winner cannot be verified as eligible for any reason at any time before, during, or after the Sweepstakes Period; if the potential winner is unwilling to post they won a portion of the on their Instagram story after verification and confirmation as a winner, the potential winner may be disqualified and forfeit the prize and an alternate potential winner will be randomly selected from among the remaining eligible entries.

In the event that an Entrant is disqualified as the potential winner for any reason, the foregoing process will be repeated until the prize is awarded.

Odds of winning the prize depend on the number of eligible entries received.

8. Prize Fulfillment. The prize will be delivered to the winner’s preferred address within (1) week following winner verification by Sponsor. Sponsor will not be responsible for any delays by the potential winner.

9. Limitations of Liability. By entering or participating in this Sweepstakes or the prize in any way, each Entrant agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless, and thereby does release and discharge Sponsor, Prize Provider, Content Hosts, and each of their respective subsidiaries, affiliates, vendors, advertising or promotional agencies and distributors, and each of their respective parent companies and each such company’s officers, directors, employees and agents, as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members of each such individual (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from and against any loss, damage, injury, claim, or cause of action related in any way whatsoever to this Sweepstakes, these Official Rules, or the rights, consents and licenses granted by Entrants to Sponsor under these Official Rules, including, but not limited to, infringement of any right of privacy, publicity or intellectual property; threatened or actual injury, loss or damage to any person, including death and disability; defamation or portrayal in a false light (intentional and unintentional); invasion of privacy; and damage to or loss of property, arising out of such Entrant’s participation in the Sweepstakes or receipt or use, non-use or misuse of the prize. In no event will Released Parties be responsible or liable for any damages or losses of any kind, including indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of this Sweepstakes. (Some jurisdictions may not allow the limitations or exclusion of liability for incidental or consequential damages or exclusion of implied warranties. Check local laws for restrictions regarding these limitations or exclusions.)

Entrants waive any right to claim ambiguity in these Official Rules. The Released Parties are not responsible for: (1) technical failures of any kind; (2) incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by Entrants, any internet or email service provider, any promotional or advertising agency, printing or computing errors, or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Sweepstakes; (3) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Sweepstakes; (4) technical or human error that may occur in the administration of the Sweepstakes, the processing of entries or the announcement of the winner and prize; (5) any injury or damage to persons or property that may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, by Entrant’s participation in the Sweepstakes; (6) the receipt, use or misuse of the prize; or (7) any other errors in any materials, information or announcements associated with the Sweepstakes.  If for any reason an Entrant’s entry is confirmed to have been erroneously deleted, lost, or otherwise destroyed or corrupted by Sponsor, Entrant’s sole remedy is another entry in the Sweepstakes, subject to availability and provided that the Sweepstakes Period has not then expired.

EACH ENTRANT WAIVES CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE § 1542 (AND ALL SIMILAR LAWS OF ANY STATE OR TERRITORY OF THE UNITED STATES), WHICH READS: “A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.” EACH ENTRANT REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS FULL UNDERSTANDING OF, AND ACKNOWLEDGES THE SIGNIFICANCE AND CONSEQUENCE OF, WAIVER OF CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE § 1542 (AND ALL SIMILAR LAWS OF ANY STATE OR TERRITORY OF THE UNITED STATES).

10. License from Entrant. To the extent allowed by law, participation in the Sweepstakes in any way and/or acceptance of the prize constitutes winner’s irrevocable consent for, and grant of a non-exclusive, sub-licensable and assignable license to Sponsor to use, publish, post, or display winner’s name, likeness, photograph, voice, opinions, statements, prize information, biographical information, and/or hometown and state, province, or territory, regardless of whether altered, modified, distorted, edited, or used alone or with other material, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, for promotional, advertising, trade, and publicity purposes in a winner’s list and in any medium now known or later discovered, worldwide and in perpetuity, without review or approval by winner, and without further notice, payment, or consideration of any kind to winner.

All rights, consents, and licenses granted to Sponsor, and Prize Provider under these Official Rules will survive the termination of this Sweepstakes. Winner’s consent and license may only be revoked in writing, and the mere ending of this Sweepstakes or Sweepstakes Period is not sufficient to revoke such consent or license.

11. Right to Modify or Cancel. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Official Rules will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. In the event any provision is found invalid or unenforceable, these Official Rules will otherwise remain in effect in accordance with their terms as if the invalid or unenforceable provision was never included. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules does not constitute a waiver of that provision.

Sponsor may cancel, suspend and/or modify the Sweepstakes or any part of it, in any way, if Sponsor determines in its sole discretion that the Sweepstakes is not capable of executing as Sponsor intended, or that any mistake, clerical, or typographical error, omission, fraud, technical failure, tampering, computer virus, or other factor, technical or otherwise, beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control, impairs or may impair Sponsor’s ability to properly conduct the Sweepstakes, subject to any applicable law or regulation.  In such an event, Sponsor will award the prize by conducting a random drawing from among the eligible entries received up to the time of the cancellation, suspension, or modification of the Sweepstakes.  Inclusion in such random drawing is Entrant’s exclusive remedy under such circumstances.

12. Disputes. Except where prohibited by law, Entrant agrees that: (1) all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Sweepstakes or the prize will be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the appropriate federal or state court located in San Diego County, California; and (2) all claims, judgments and awards will be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering this Sweepstakes, but in no event attorneys’ fees. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights or obligations of Entrant or Sponsor in connection with the Sweepstakes or the prize, are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules, no matter what jurisdiction, that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than as stated.

13. Privacy. By entering this Sweepstakes, Entrant agrees to Sponsor’s collection, use, and retention of Entrant’s Personal Information submitted in connection with the Sweepstakes for communications about the Sweepstakes and to send marketing emails to Entrants.  Unsubscribe instructions will be provided in each marketing email.  Personal Information collected from Entrant is subject to Sponsor’s privacy policy, which can be found at https://www.ascentfunding.com/privacy-notice, and by entering this Sweepstakes, Entrant agrees to this Privacy Policy.

14. Official Rules and Winner’s List. For a copy of these Official Rules or the winner’s list, print the requestor’s name, address, city, state or province/territory and zip or postal code on a 3×5″ postcard and mail it to Ascent Funding, 501 W Broadway Ste. A150, San Diego, CA 92101, by three (3) months after the close of the Sweepstakes Period. Specify if the request is for a copy of these Official Rules and/or the winner’s list.  Limit one request per person, per household.

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS SWEEPSTAKES.  PURCHASES DO NOT INCREASE ODDS OF WINNING. ODDS OF WINNING DEPEND ON NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE ENTRIES RECEIVED. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

1. Sweepstakes Participation in the Ascent $500 Monthly Social Media Giveaway with Payce (the “Sweepstakes”) constitutes Entrant’s (as defined below) full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules. Entrant is free to disclaim the prize and status as Entrant, and as a result will not be eligible to receive the prize. All decisions related to, as well as all interpretation of, these Official Rules by Sponsor are final and binding.  This Sweepstakes may be promoted via social media websites, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, or any other site or medium (collectively “Content Hosts”). websites are not affiliated with Sponsor or this Sweepstakes. The Sweepstakes is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or associated with the Content Hosts, even if the Content Host posts or publishes information about the Sweepstakes. Entrant is providing information only to Sponsor (as defined below) or its partners, and not to Content Hosts. The Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations and is void where prohibited by law.

2. Sponsor and Administrator. The Sweepstakes is sponsored and administered by Ascent Student Loans, 501 W Broadway Ste. A150, San Diego, CA 92101 (“Sponsor”), and the Prize Provider is Payce, LLC, 10625 Techwoods Circle, Cincinnati, Ohio 45242 (“Prize Provider”).

3. Sweepstakes Period. The Sweepstakes begins at 9:00 AM Pacific Time (PT) on April 14, 2021 and ends at 8:59 AM PT on May 14, 2021 (the “Sweepstakes Period”). Only entries submitted and received during the Sweepstakes Period will be accepted. Sponsor is the official timekeeper of this Sweepstakes.

4. Eligibility. The Sweepstakes is open only to: students that are (i) enrolled in a degree program at least half-time, or technical skills training program (for example, a coding bootcamp) and (ii) legal residents of one of the fifty United States or the District of Columbia, age 18 or older. Employees or agents of Sponsor or Payce (“Prize Provider”) or either of their parent or affiliate companies or suppliers, as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings, and children) and household members of each such employee or agent, are not eligible. Legal entities are not eligible to enter. Eligibility is contingent upon agreement to, compliance with, and fulfillment of all requirements of these Official Rules. Participation in the Sweepstakes in any way, including submission of any entry or the partial completion of any act of entry or any other step taken to participate in the Sweepstakes in any manner, constitutes full and unconditional agreement with all provisions of these Official Rules. If you do not wish to share your information with Prize Provider, you will be ineligible to enter the Sweepstakes.

5. How to Enter. NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY. PURCHASES DO NOT INCREASE ODDS OF WINNING.  Each eligible individual who completes the entry requirements during the Sweepstakes Period by submitting an entry will become an “Entrant.” Each Entrant will receive one entry in the Sweepstakes per Sweepstakes Period. Limit one (1) entry per person per Sweepstakes Period. You may enter the Sweepstakes by completing the following steps:

1. Like Ascent’s Instagram post and visit Ascent Rewards.
2. Log in to Ascent Rewards or create a new account.
3. Follow the steps when you sign into Ascent Rewards and link a debit or credit card, then click the “Activate All” offers button.
4. Scroll through the list of stores and restaurants and leave a comment on Ascent’s Instagram post with your favorite place to shop.

6. Further Conditions of Entry. By entering or participating in this Sweepstakes, Entrant agrees to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsor and its authorized representatives, which are final and binding in all matters concerning this Sweepstakes. Entries not legitimately submitted in accordance with these Official Rules are void.  Only qualified entries received by Sponsor during the Sweepstakes Period are eligible for participation. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned.

Entrants may be required to provide the following information to be eligible for a Sweepstakes prize: first name, last name, confirmation of age and residency, email address, phone number (including area code), and how you currently plan to pay for education (collectively or individually, “Personal Information”). All requested Personal Information must be provided to participate in the Sweepstakes and to be eligible to win a prize. Unintelligible entries; entries with incomplete, invalid, incorrect, or noncurrent information; entries that are counterfeit, damaged or tampered with in any way; and entries with printing, production or typographical errors may be disqualified. Entries that are late, lost, damaged, misdirected, stolen, or not delivered are not the responsibility of Sponsor and will be disqualified. Sponsor is not responsible for erroneous, expired, canceled, fraudulent, or fake information provided during Sweepstakes. Proof of sent entry and/or entry receipt (such as a copy of a “thank you” screen or message) does not constitute proof of actual receipt of entry by Sponsor for purposes of this Sweepstakes.

By entering into the Sweepstakes, you understand Ascent may share my information with Prize Provider. This information may include your first and last name, email address, mailing address, mobile phone, and Instagram handle. If you do not wish to share your information with Payce, please send an email to [email protected] By opting out of sharing your information, you acknowledge that you will no longer be eligible to enter the Sweepstakes.

Participation must be by Entrants who are eligible individuals. Participation by any other individual or entity, or originating at any other website, email address, or phone number, including, but not limited to, commercial Sweepstakes, subscription notification, automated entry, and Sweepstakes entering service sites, is invalid and will be disqualified from this Sweepstakes. Any attempt by any Entrant to obtain more than the stated number of entries by using multiple email addresses, phone numbers, identities, registrations, or logins; entries through a sweepstakes club or similar entity; or any other unauthorized method of entry will void all of Entrant’s entries and Entrant will be disqualified from the entire Sweepstakes. Submitting mass entries or entries generated by an automated program, script, or macro, or the use of any other similar device, program, or method to enter this Sweepstakes is prohibited and will result in disqualification.

In the event of a dispute as to the identity of Entrant, the authorized account holder of the email address submitted with the entry will be deemed to be Entrant. The potential winner may be required to show proof of being the authorized account holder. The “authorized account holder” of an email address is the natural person assigned to that email address by any internet service provider or organization (business, educational institution, etc.) responsible for assigning accounts to that email address.  If the identity of the individual who actually participated in the Sweepstakes cannot be resolved to Sponsor’s satisfaction, the affected individual’s entry will be deemed ineligible.

Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, disqualify any Entrant or individual it finds to be in violation of these Official Rules, tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes (including, but not limited to, tampering with websites, email addresses, or phone numbers), or acting in a non-sportsmanlike or disruptive manner.  Any attempt to undermine the operation of the Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal or civil law, and Sponsor may seek damages to the fullest extent permitted by law from any person it finds to have made such an attempt.

6. Prize. There is one $500 Amazon gift card prize available to be won per Sweepstakes Period. Approximate retail value (ARV) of the prize per Sweepstakes Period is $500.

Prize will be delivered via email following winner verification. Prize must be accepted as awarded and with a valid Amazon account, without substitution and is not, in whole or in part, assignable, transferable, or available for resale. Federal, state, and local taxes and all other costs and expenses associated with acceptance and use of the prize are the winner’s sole responsibility. If the potential winner elects not to partake in any portion of the prize, such potential winner will be disqualified and will forfeit the prize, and the prize will be awarded to a different winner selected in the same manner.

If the potential winner is disqualified, not eligible, or for any other reason cannot accept the prize as stated, then Sponsor will randomly select a new potential winner from the remaining pool of eligible Entrants. Where legal, the winner may be required to submit, without alteration and in the form provided by Sponsor, a completed and signed Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability & Publicity Release (the “Release”), along with a properly completed U.S. Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Form W-9, within three (3) business days of notification to be eligible to receive the prize.  The winner may be issued a U.S. Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Form 1099 and related tax forms for the actual value of the prize provided by Sponsor.

Only one (1) prize as set forth in these Official Rules will be awarded. In the event that any mistake, failure, or discrepancy causes more than one (1) prize as set forth in these Official Rules to be promoted, noticed, or claimed, Sponsor may award one (1) prize by conducting a random drawing from among all legitimate, unawarded, eligible prize claims.

The prize will be distributed by Sponsor only and not Prize Provider.

7. Winner Selection and Verification. One (1) potential winner will be randomly drawn promptly after close of the Sweepstakes Period from the pool of all eligible entries received during the Sweepstakes Period.

Potential winner is subject to eligibility verification by Sponsor, whose decisions are final and binding. An Entrant is not a winner of the prize, even if notified of being a winner and/or issued any item of value, unless and until Entrant’s eligibility has been, and continues to be verified to the satisfaction of Sponsor.

To be verified as eligible to receive a prize, the potential winner must fulfill all requirements and continue to comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules, and not be disqualified for any reason. The potential winner will be notified by Instagram direct message. If the potential winner cannot be contacted using the information provided in the entry or fails to respond to Sponsor’s attempt to notify the potential winner of selection within three (3) business days of notification; if the prize or notification is returned as undeliverable (regardless if the message is ultimately delivered to the recipient); if the potential winner fails to sign and return the Release, Form W-9  or any other required documentation within three (3) business days of notification or fails to comply with these Official Rules; if the potential winner is unable or unwilling to accept the prize as stated; or if the potential winner cannot be verified as eligible for any reason at any time before, during, or after the Sweepstakes Period; if the potential winner is unwilling to post they won a portion of the on their Instagram story after verification and confirmation as a winner, the potential winner may be disqualified and forfeit the prize and an alternate potential winner will be randomly selected from among the remaining eligible entries.

In the event that an Entrant is disqualified as the potential winner for any reason, the foregoing process will be repeated until the prize is awarded.

Odds of winning the prize depend on the number of eligible entries received per Sweepstakes Period.

8. Prize Fulfillment: The prize will be delivered to the winner by email at the winner’s email address, within (1) week following winner verification by Sponsor. Sponsor will not be responsible for any delays by potential winner.

9. Limitations of Liability. By entering or participating in this Sweepstakes or the prize in any way, each Entrant agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless, and thereby does release and discharge Sponsor, Prize Provider, Content Hosts, and each of their respective subsidiaries, affiliates, vendors, advertising or promotional agencies and distributors, and each of their respective parent companies and each such company’s officers, directors, employees and agents, as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members of each such individual (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from and against any loss, damage, injury, claim, or cause of action related in any way whatsoever to this Sweepstakes, these Official Rules, or the rights, consents and licenses granted by Entrants to Sponsor under these Official Rules, including, but not limited to, infringement of any right of privacy, publicity or intellectual property; threatened or actual injury, loss or damage to any person, including death and disability; defamation or portrayal in a false light (intentional and unintentional); invasion of privacy; and damage to or loss of property, arising out of such Entrant’s participation in the Sweepstakes or receipt or use, non-use or misuse of the prize. In no event will Released Parties be responsible or liable for any damages or losses of any kind, including indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of this Sweepstakes. (Some jurisdictions may not allow the limitations or exclusion of liability for incidental or consequential damages or exclusion of implied warranties. Check local laws for restrictions regarding these limitations or exclusions.)

Entrants waive any right to claim ambiguity in these Official Rules. The Released Parties are not responsible for: (1) technical failures of any kind; (2) incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by Entrants, any internet or email service provider, any promotional or advertising agency, printing or computing errors, or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Sweepstakes; (3) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Sweepstakes; (4) technical or human error that may occur in the administration of the Sweepstakes, the processing of entries or the announcement of the winner and prize; (5) any injury or damage to persons or property that may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, by Entrant’s participation in the Sweepstakes; (6) the receipt, use or misuse of the prize; or (7) any other errors in any materials, information or announcements associated with the Sweepstakes.  If for any reason an Entrant’s entry is confirmed to have been erroneously deleted, lost, or otherwise destroyed or corrupted by Sponsor, Entrant’s sole remedy is another entry in the Sweepstakes, subject to availability and provided that the Sweepstakes Period has not then expired.

EACH ENTRANT WAIVES CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE § 1542 (AND ALL SIMILAR LAWS OF ANY STATE OR TERRITORY OF THE UNITED STATES), WHICH READS: “A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.” EACH ENTRANT REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS FULL UNDERSTANDING OF, AND ACKNOWLEDGES THE SIGNIFICANCE AND CONSEQUENCE OF, WAIVER OF CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE § 1542 (AND ALL SIMILAR LAWS OF ANY STATE OR TERRITORY OF THE UNITED STATES).

10. License from Entrant. To the extent allowed by law, participation in the Sweepstakes in any way and/or acceptance of the prize constitutes winner’s irrevocable consent for, and grant of a non-exclusive, sub-licensable and assignable license to Sponsor to use, publish, post, or display winner’s name, likeness, photograph, voice, opinions, statements, prize information, biographical information, and/or hometown and state, province, or territory, regardless of whether altered, modified, distorted, edited, or used alone or with other material, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, for promotional, advertising, trade, and publicity purposes in a winner’s list and in any medium now known or later discovered, worldwide and in perpetuity, without review or approval by winner, and without further notice, payment, or consideration of any kind to winner.

All rights, consents, and licenses granted to Sponsor, and Prize Provider under these Official Rules will survive the termination of this Sweepstakes. Winner’s consent and license may only be revoked in writing, and the mere ending of this Sweepstakes or Sweepstakes Period is not sufficient to revoke such consent or license.

11. Right to Modify or Cancel. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Official Rules will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. In the event any provision is found invalid or unenforceable, these Official Rules will otherwise remain in effect in accordance with their terms as if the invalid or unenforceable provision was never included. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules does not constitute a waiver of that provision.

Sponsor may cancel, suspend and/or modify the Sweepstakes or any part of it, in any way, if Sponsor determines in its sole discretion that the Sweepstakes is not capable of executing as Sponsor intended, or that any mistake, clerical, or typographical error, omission, fraud, technical failure, tampering, computer virus, or other factor, technical or otherwise, beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control, impairs or may impair Sponsor’s ability to properly conduct the Sweepstakes, subject to any applicable law or regulation.  In such event, Sponsor will award the prize by conducting a random drawing from among the eligible entries received up to the time of the cancellation, suspension, or modification of the Sweepstakes.  Inclusion in such random drawing is Entrant’s exclusive remedy under such circumstances.

12. Disputes. Except where prohibited by law, Entrant agrees that: (1) all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Sweepstakes or the prize will be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the appropriate federal or state court located in San Diego County, California; and (2) all claims, judgments and awards will be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering this Sweepstakes, but in no event attorneys’ fees. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights or obligations of Entrant or Sponsor in connection with the Sweepstakes or the prize, are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules, no matter what jurisdiction, that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than as stated.
13. Privacy. By entering this Sweepstakes, Entrant agrees to Sponsor’s collection, use, and retention of Entrant’s Personal Information submitted in connection with the Sweepstakes for communications about the Sweepstakes and to send marketing emails to Entrants.  Unsubscribe instructions will be provided in each marketing email.  Personal Information collected from Entrant is subject to Sponsor’s privacy policy, which can be found at https://www.ascentfunding.com/privacy-notice, and by entering this Sweepstakes, Entrant agrees to this Privacy Policy. Personal Information collected from Entrant and shared with Prize Provider is also subject to Payce’s privacy policy, which can be found at https://paycepays.com/p/Home/PrivacyPolicy.

14. 14.  Official Rules and Winner’s List.For a copy of these Official Rules or the winner’s list, print the requestor’s name, address, city, state or province/territory and zip or postal code on a 3×5″ postcard and mail it to Ascent Funding, 501 W Broadway Ste. A150, San Diego, CA 92101, by three (3) months after close of the Sweepstakes Period. Specify if the request is for a copy of these Official Rules and/or the winner’s list.  Limit one request per person, per household.