Click here to download a PDF version of the program details.

Program Objectives

The philosophy of the GBSSA is to encourage its members to improve themselves, their schools, their students, and their industry. The objectives of the Professional Development Scholarship Program include the following:

• To promote excellence in graduate business student services;
• To recognize and support quality delivery of graduate business student services;
• To provide financial support for development opportunities that are not eligible for other sources of funding or for which funding is difficult to obtain;
• To build the GBSSA’s reputation as an organization which promotes professional development opportunities to its members.

Eligibility

1. Any staff person from a GBSSA member business school may apply;
2. Applicant may not have received this scholarship during the current membership year;
3. Distribution of approved funding must occur within the current GBSSA membership year;
4. Applicants who are not granted a scholarship request may re-apply with different funding requests within the current membership year;
5. Current GBSSA Board of Directors are ineligible for this scholarship.

Suggested Funding Uses

• Conference fees (may be considered for the GBSSA Annual Conference).
• Education-industry publications or subscriptions that apply directly to professional development or career enhancement.
• Professional educational memberships (may not be considered for the GBSSA annual membership fee).
• Training seminars and workshops (may include online opportunities).

Funding Exemptions

• Tuition, fees, books, materials, etc. for staff enrolled in an active, degree-seeking program.
• Any type of transportation or lodging expenses.
• Membership fees for alumni associations.
• Any transactions which would be prohibited by the applicant’s institution of employment.

Funding Capacities

• No individual award will exceed $750.

Application Process

1. Complete the online application;
2. Submit a Statement of Purpose (in conjunction with the online application);
3. Submit a Supervisor’s Statement;
4. Submit supporting documentation.

Upon completion of the online application (items 1 and 2 above), applicants will receive an e-mail which confirms submission of the application and contains a confirmation number. Please include this confirmation number on items 3 and 4 before sending via e-mail to board@gbssa.org or via fax to (612) 626-7785, ATTN: GBSSA.

Selection Process

1. Application materials must be submitted at least 60 days in advance of any applicable due dates.
2. GBSSA Board of Directors will review all applications for completeness; timeliness of the request; applicability to the delivery of student services; and applicability to professional development.
3. A majority vote cast by the Board members will determine if an award is granted or denied.
4. Board members from the same institution as the applicant will not have a vote in the selection process.
5. The decision of the Board is final.

Distribution Process

1. Payment for approved funding will be submitted to the vendor or agency by the GBSSA on behalf of the award recipient (preferred method).
2. Reimbursements of approved funding to individuals or schools when prepayment is made will be distributed when both a copy of the paid invoice and proof of payment have been received and verified.
3. Award recipients are responsible for any Internal Revenue Service considerations and reporting.

Effective Date

The effective date for the Professional Development Scholarship Program is November 1, 2009. Requests for funding opportunities which occur prior to the effective date will be ineligible.

Definitions

GBSSA Member School: Any business school of a higher education institution which has paid membership dues for the current membership year.

GBSSA Membership Year: The GBSSA membership year runs from September 1 through August 31.

GBSSA Board of Directors: Chair, Co-Chair, Business Manager, Communications Chair, Membership Chair, Technology Chair, and Conference Chair.

Supervisor's Statement: This is a document written on official letterhead from your immediate supervisor which confirms that your requested service(s) or item(s) are not currently paid nor budgeted at your institution; that this expense does not violate any purchasing policies at your institution; and that your supervisor endorses this expense for your professional development. Please ensure that the name and job title of your supervisor are legible.

Supporting Documentation: Any and all documentation which is related to the scholarship request. This may include Web pages or printed pages which detail the requested item; cost information; payment information; registration directions; etc. If awarded the scholarship, this is the information we will need to pay out the award.