Student Conference Funding Guidelines

The Division of Student Affairs offers limited levels of funding for in-person and virtual conferences during two cycles; fall and spring semester. Preference in funding will be given to students making formal academic presentations, although requests to support other scholarly opportunities will be considered. Awards are prioritized for students who have not yet received support from student affairs. Applications open on the first day of fall semester and awards are made on a rolling basis until the budgeted funds have been exhausted for the semester/cycle. 

To apply, students should complete the online application form at the bottom of this page:  

Types of Eligible Conference Funding Requests

  • Students who are accepted to present or invited to actively participate in a virtual conference.
  • Student presenters or co-presenting a project or paper individually or with a faculty member.
  • Students attending professional/scholarly virtual conferences, symposia, meetings, or other online events.
  • Conferences must occur during the academic year (AY: first day of classes through the last day classes are held).
  • Funding is not awarded during the summer or after a student graduates from the College.

Student Eligibility

  • Students of all class years provided they are active, enrolled students in good standing (academic and conduct).
  • Applications must be submitted at least three weeks prior to the conference start date.
  • Priority will be given to students who are first time applicants.
  • Applications must have faculty/advisor support.
  • Approved conference funding does not constitute approved absence from class. 
  • Funds will not be awarded retroactively. Applications must be submitted before the conference occurs.

Funding Levels

  • One or two individual students attending the same conference:
    • Up to, but not exceeding $300 for registration, transportation, and lodging.
  • Three or more students attending the same conference:
    • Up to, but not exceeding $700 for registration, transportation, and lodging. 
  • Conference materials or organization membership fees must be covered by the student or another funding source. 
  • Virtual conference applicants will receive reimbursement for registration only. In-person conference applicants will be reimbursed for registration, transportion, or lodging expenses. 

Funds are limited and distributed post-conference only.  There is no guarantee that a conference funding request will be approved. If approved, the office will fund only one conference per academic year for individual or group of students. Students are encouraged to choose carefully the conference they are hoping to attend and to apply in advance.  It is recommended that groups limit the number of participants given the maximum reimbursement for a student group is a set amount regardless of the group size.  *Three or more students attending the same conference will be considered to constitute a group, whether students apply as a group or individually.

Award Notifications

Applicants will be notified via email within one week after applications are submitted. We will not provide same day decisions. 

Reimbursement Requirements

Within 2 weeks upon conclusion of the conference, students are required to submit a one-page descriptive report along with reimbursement form and registration receipts.  Please print the travel form, attach registration receipts, and send (via email) to rschrad1 who will finalize the reimbursement request business office processing.  Reimbursement will be deposited into student accounts within three weeks. *Reimbursement will not be processed without a report. Please note that the report may be shared with relevant academic departments, Division of Student Affairs, President’s Office, or the Board of Managers.

General questions about the Student Conference Fund can be directly addressed to Rosemary Tourish at rschrad1

*Note:  The Division of Student Affairs reserves the right to reduce conference funding levels if students receive awards or stipends from other sources or if the amount exceeds our travel fund policy. We will close the application when funds have been exhausted for the academic year.