Professional Scholarships

ORSA is fortunate to be able to provide a variety of scholarships and stipends to support our members in covering costs related to professional development opportunities. Click the buttons below to learn more.

ORSA Travel Stipends

  • ORSA offers travel stipends to active ORSA members who need additional financial assistance to a development opportunity of their choosing. These stipends, while available year-round, are limited, as they are offered on a first - come, first - serve basis. The Professional Development Committee will contact winners and post when all stipends have been disbursed. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

    The travel stipend is awarded to cover professional development travel related costs (air or ground transportation, lodging).

    Please note: This stipend is awarded as a reimbursement. Checks will be mailed to award recipients after the conclusion of the event.

  • These stipends are available year-round, but funding is limited and awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.

    The Professional Development Committee will contact applicants within one week of submitting application and will post when all travel stipends have been disbursed.

  • All applications for scholarships and stipends will be reviewed by the Professional Development Committee and evaluated on the following criteria:

    • Quality of the applicant’s submission responses.

    • ORSA involvement.

    • Applicant's past involvement in NIRSA national, regional, and state workshop/conferences, committees, presentations, and volunteer opportunities.

    • Applicant's career goals and commitment to NIRSA at the national, regional, and state levels.

    • Applicant's ability to clearly articulate their purpose for attending the professional development opportunity.

    • Quality and professionalism of the applicant's resume/vitae.

NIRSA Annual Conference Scholarships

  • ORSA is proud to offer financial aid for professionals working at an ORSA affiliated institution to attend NIRSA 2025 Annual Conference in Orlando, FL from April 23 – April 26, 2025.

    Please Note: This scholarship is awarded as a reimbursement. Checks will be mailed to award recipients after the conclusion of the conference. 

    The deadline to apply has passed. Please check back in January - February 2026 for more information.

  • More information will be released closer to the Annual Conference (around January).

  • All applications for scholarships and stipends will be reviewed by the Professional Development Committee and evaluated on the following criteria:

    • Quality of the applicant’s submission responses.

    • ORSA involvement.

    • Applicant's past involvement in NIRSA national, regional, and state workshop/conferences, committees, presentations, and volunteer opportunities.

    • Applicant's career goals and commitment to NIRSA at the national, regional, and state levels.

    • Applicant's ability to clearly articulate their purpose for attending the professional development opportunity.

    • Quality and professionalism of the applicant's resume/vitae.

Congratulations to our scholarship winners!

Dani Ondreka

University of Dayton

Cole Richmond

University of Akron

ORSA State Workshop Scholarships

  • ORSA is excited to again offer professional scholarships to individuals working at ORSA institutions. This year’s ORSA State Workshop will take place at Bowling Green State University from October 22 - 24, 2025.

    More information will be shared closer to the state workshop.

  • More information will be released closer to the State Workshop (around September).

  • All applications for scholarships and stipends will be reviewed by the Professional Development Committee and evaluated on the following criteria:

    • Quality of the applicant’s submission responses.

    • ORSA involvement.

    • Applicant's past involvement in NIRSA national, regional, and state workshop/conferences, committees, presentations, and volunteer opportunities.

    • Applicant's career goals and commitment to NIRSA at the national, regional, and state levels.

    • Applicant's ability to clearly articulate their purpose for attending the professional development opportunity.

    • Quality and professionalism of the applicant's resume/vitae.