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

  • 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.

  • 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.

Besner / Sells NIRSA Annual Conference Scholarships

  • ORSA is proud to offer financial aid for students to attend NIRSA 2025 Annual Conference in Orlando, FL from April 23 – April 26 through the Besner / Sells Scholarship.

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

    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.

  • Each application must be completed in full and submitted by Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.

    Scholarship winners will be notified on Friday, March 7, 2025, and must register for the conference by the early bird deadline of Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

  • 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.

ORSA State Workshop Scholarships

  • ORSA is excited to again offer student scholarships to individuals 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 (around September).

  • 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.

J. Michael Dunn NIRSA Region III Student Lead On Scholarships

  • ORSA is proud to offer financial aid for students who work in ORSA institutions to attend the Region III Student Lead On at Grand Valley State University, January 30 - February 1, 2025 through the J. Michael Dunn Region III Student Lead On Scholarship.

  • More information will be released closer to the NIRSA Region III Student Lead On Conference (around November).

  • 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.