Student Scholarships
ORSA is fortunate to be able to provide a variety of scholarships and stipends to support our students in covering costs related to professional development opportunities. Click the buttons below to learn more.
ORSA Travel Stipends
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ORSA offers travel stipends to active ORSA members who need additional financial assistance to a professional 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.
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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.
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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.
Due to an overwhelming number of requests for travel assistance this year, we have closed the Travel Stipend request application for the remainder of 2026.
Besner / Sells NIRSA Annual Conference Scholarships
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The 2026 scholarship application period has closed. Please check back in early 2027 for more information.
2026 information:
ORSA is proud to offer financial aid for students to attend NIRSA 2026 Annual Conference in Harbor City, MD from April 8 - 11 through the Besner / Sells Scholarship.
Please Note: Scholarship recipients will receive early bird registration fees for member institutions, along with $350 of travel assistance for the conference. All scholarship funds are paid as a reimbursement to each recipient.
Professionals may apply to the Professional Scholarship.
For more information about the professional staff scholarships to the NIRSA Annual Conference, please visit the Professional Scholarships Page.
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The 2026 scholarship application period has closed. Please check back in early 2027 for more information.
The application period runs from February 3 to March 2, with all applications due by March 2. Scholarship winners will be notified and must register by the early bird deadline of March 18, 2026.
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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.
Besner / Sells NIRSA Annual Conference Scholarship Winners:
Nathan Marks, The Ohio State University
Sarah Messing, Bowling Green State University
Congratulations!
ORSA State Workshop Scholarships
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ORSA is excited to again offer student scholarships to individuals at ORSA institutions. This year’s ORSA State Workshop will take place at Cleveland State University from October 21 - 23, 2026.
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Applications are now open. Each application must be completed and submitted by 11:59PM on Tuesday September 29, 2026.
Scholarship winners will be notified no later than Monday, October 5, 2026.
Please Note: This scholarship is awarded as an access code during the registration process. If you have already registered for the workshop the award can be completed by reimbursement. Checks will be mailed to award recipients after the conclusion of the conference.
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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.
J. Michael Dunn NIRSA Region III Student Lead On Scholarships
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ORSA is proud to offer financial support for student employees at ORSA institutions to attend the Region III Student Lead On, held February 5–7, 2026, at Purdue University, through the J. Michael Dunn Region III Student Lead On Scholarship.
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Applications are now closed. Please check back in November 2026 for scholarship information.
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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.
Extramural Scholarships
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ORSA is excited to offer financial aid for students attending extramural events.
Scholarship winners will be awarded up to $80 for registration fees or travel expenses associated with participation in an extramural event as an official or administrator.
Please Note: This scholarship is awarded as a reimbursement. Checks will be mailed to award recipients after the conclusion of the experience.
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Scholarship applications are open August 1 - April 31 each year and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
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All applications for scholarships and will be reviewed by the Extramural Committee and evaluated on the following criteria:
Quality of the applicant’s submission response
ORSA involvement
Applicant's ability to clearly articulate their purpose for attending the extramural opportunity
Financial need