NIRSA Foundation scholarship and stipend applications open August 8

As autumn approaches, we look forward to the many great things fall brings: football, pumpkin spice, and, most importantly, NIRSA Foundation Scholarship Season! This season launches on Tuesday, August 8 and closes on Tuesday, October 17. The NIRSA Foundation adds additional scholarship opportunities year after year, and we hope you will consider applying as well as encourage a colleague, mentee, or student of yours to do the same.

As university budgets continue to get tighter, it seems that professional development money is often the first thing to go. According to responses to a survey of recipients conducted in July, almost 71% of 2017 NIRSA Foundation scholarship recipients said they would not have been able to attend their NIRSA event if it were not for the scholarship they received. Maybe you’ve wanted to attend the NIRSA School but could never find the money, or maybe your institution covers the cost of registration for the Annual Conference but not travel or hotel costs. This is where The NIRSA Foundation comes in!

Professional scholarships are frequently used to attend the NIRSA Annual Conference & Campus Rec and Wellness Expo, and Annual Conference preconference educational workshops. But did you know that there are also scholarships available for the NIRSA School of Collegiate Recreation, the NIRSA Recreational Facilities Institute, and other NIRSA educational events and institutes?

Student scholarships are also available to provide our future professionals the opportunity to attend the Annual Conference, including 30 awards to attend the J. Michael Dunn Professional Development Preconference Workshop.

The Professional Travel Assistance Stipend, presented by Core Health and & Fitness, is in its sixth year. And this year, Core and the NIRSA Foundation are thrilled to announce the expansion of this program to include NIRSA’s new Canadian Region! The stipend allows one professional member from each of NIRSA’s seven regions to receive travel assistance funds to attend the Annual Conference. The awards help defray the cost of travel and cover reimbursement for airfare, mileage, and lodging up to $1,000 (USD).

Make sure to apply before the October 17 deadline. Scholarships and stipends provide a great opportunity to further your growth as a collegiate recreation professional or aspiring professional. The NIRSA Foundation is proud of the leaders it is able to recognize and support with these awards each year!