Any graduate or professional student at East Tennessee State University who has a completed membership form on file and is actively involved in Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) can apply for use of GPSA travel funds. A travel form can be obtained from the Graduates Studies Office or here. Documentation of attendance, such as a letter of acceptance to present, should be attached to the travel request form. GPSA only awards money for individual travel. Also, the travel request must be signed by the graduate student's department chair and by the graduate student (who signs on the employee line). You must request 606 funding from the Student Government Association (SGA), if you are seeking to apply as a group. The GPSA does not approve group travel. If granted 606 funding, you are ineligible for GPSA travel grants. The maximum amount of money you can get is currently $500.00 for traveling over 500 miles. If traveling less than five hundred miles, the maximum you can obtain is $250.00. Once travel is completed, a claim form must be completed in a prompt manner. If awarded GPSA travel funding, you must give a 5-10 minute presentation during GPSA Appreciation Week in April. Funding is on a first come fist serve basis. Because the funds are limited, the following priorities will be followed in the allocations:
- First priority will be given to applicants who are requesting funds for presenting research/ scholarly presentation in which the applicant is sole or co-author.
- Second priority will be given to applicants who are requesting funds to attend a conference or professional development workshop that can be shown to be linked to their program of graduate study at ETSU.
- Other proposals will be considered if applicants can demonstrate that the proposed activity will enhance their graduate education, program of study and/or scholarship.
If you are not a member of GPSA, you can be by filling out this application here and dropping it by the Graduate Studies Office. It doesn't cost anything to be a member, but the benefits are worth hundreds!
