All rules and prizing are subject to be updated and may change throughout the year. Please check back here periodically.

Eligibility Rules

• At least one key member of the group must currently be enrolled at a college or University or a 2012 graduate
• All genres of music are accepted and encouraged including musicians or artists not usually considered 'bands' such as: solo artists, rappers, electronic artists, DJs and/or instrumental musicians
• Only one track can be uploaded to your profile for judging
• Your profile and track must be uploaded at least 1 week prior to the Regional Battle for eligibility (unless otherwise noted for your Battle)*

Process and Judging

Step 1: Sign-up and create an account

Step 2: Create an artist profile and upload your best mp3 and a YouTube video (video optional)

Step 3: Get as many people to play, rate, and like your artist profile as possible

Step 4: Selection: In each Region of the country, artists compete on stage for prizing and advancement. Judge selections, along with the most popular music artist online on the website receive entry to their Regional Battle*

Step 5: Regional Battle winners advance to the National Finale to compete for greater prizing against the best in the country to become the National Champion

Judging Criteria: Judging is based on four criteria: 1) strength of submission (or live show); 2) songwriting originality; 3) overall artist potential; 4) fan voting

Wild Cards: All Artists are encouraged to continue getting site plays, ratings and likes throughout the year, as they count towards general site rankings, and additional Wild Card prizing opportunities. Regional Battles and National Finale may have a Wild Card selection added by the judges. Not every Battle will include a Wild Card selection. Wild Cards are chosen at the judges' discretion in order to balance competition format when spots are available, and to offer additional prizing opportunities to competing artists.

PRIZES

In addition to awesome exposure, winning artists also take home incredible prizes.

Regional Battles:

WINNER

• Qualify for National Finale
• Cash Prizing from College Battle and Chegg.com
• Additional Cash Prizing from SESAC**
• Propellerhead Balance w/ Reason Essentials
• Amplifier from Ampeg
• Tour Pack from Ernie Ball
• Year Supply of O.N.E. Coconut Water
• Premium BandArt Graphics Contest from Creative Allies
• Lodging at PodShare Hollywood for National Finale
• Annual Membership to GRAMMY U

National Finale:

WINNER

• The National Champion Title
• Recording Session with Grammy-winner Andrew Scheps at The Village Studios in LA
• Opening slot on a Textbooks & Tickets concert with Chegg & Live Nation
• Free Year of textbook rentals from Chegg.com
• Year Endorsement from Ernie Ball
• Website from Section 101
• Propellerhead Reason 6 and ReCycle
• Creative Allies Full Design Contest
• House of Marley Bag of Rhythm

Runner-Ups also receive a free semester of textbook rentals from Chegg.com and additional gear prizing TBA.

*Selection: The cut-off date for contest entry and online votes is one week (7 days) prior to the Regional Battle, unless specially-noted for that individual area. So for example, if your Regional Battle is on a Saturday, the deadline to submit is one Saturday prior, as the clock hits midnight at the end of that night.

For the online metrics, current site 'plays' are weighted heavier, and 'ratings' are used as a secondary metric. All plays and ratings are counted at the submission deadline, unless artists are notified of a voting extension in their region.

All votes are subject to qualification and review, to ensure legitimate voting. We reserve the right to disqualify any band or artist where, in our sole discretion, we believe cheating was involved.

For the judge selections, music industry professionals along with the show producers choose three or more artists to compete in each Regional Battle, for a total of four or more artists competing at each Regional Battle. Selected finalists will be announced at least 3 days prior to the Regional Battle.

**SESAC CASH PRIZING: In order to be eligible for the bonus cash prize, contestants must be either (i) affiliated with SESAC as a songwriter or (ii) eligible for affiliation with SESAC as a songwriter (i.e. not affiliated with ASCAP or BMI) (the "Eligibility Requirement"). In the event any single entry consists of two (2) performers, then at least fifty percent (50%) of the songwriters in such performance group must meet the Eligibility Requirement. In the event any single entry is comprised of three (3) or more performers, then at least fifty one percent (51%) of the songwriters in such performance group must meet the Eligibility Requirement.