NIRSA Assembly

Student Scholarships & Grants

Student Scholarships

More than 50 scholarships are available to students to attend the NIRSA Annual Conference as well as the J. Michael Dunn Student Professional Development Preconference Workshop. Applicants do not need to be a NIRSA member to apply for a scholarship; however, recipients will be required to become a NIRSA member upon accepting a scholarship (NIRSA membership will not be required for recipients of the Founder’s Endowment Scholarship).  

Scholarship applications for the 2024 NIRSA Annual Conference can be submitted from September 14–November 21, 2023.  

Recipients will be notified no later than February 1, 2024. 

NIRSA regions have scholarships available for students to attend the NIRSA Annual Conference as well as regional conferences. For more information, please contact your regional representative.

Student scholarship applications are due November 30, 2022

The application period has ended.

General Scholarships

General Scholarships refer to scholarships available to any campus recreation student who applies through the application portal.

Scholarships for students from Historically Black Colleges & Universities 

In honor of the 20 African American founders of the Association who came from 11 Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs), the Founders Endowment provides scholarship opportunities for students working in campus recreation at HBCUs to attend either the NIRSA Annual Conference or a NIRSA institute.

Recipients of this grant will also receive a $500 travel stipend.

Scholarships for LGBTQ+ Students

The Braden Endowment provides scholarship opportunities for campus recreation students who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Recipients of this grant will also receive a $500 travel stipend.

Scholarships for racial or ethnic minority groups

The Gartenberg Endowment provides scholarships to students who self-identify with a racial or ethnic minority group to attend the NIRSA Annual Conference.

Preconference Workshop Scholarships

Students are invited to attend the J. Michael Dunn Student Professional Development Preconference Workshop held prior to the NIRSA Annual Conference. Students are encouraged to apply for a small scholarship that covers the cost of the preconference workshop registration fee courtesy of the J. Michael Dunn Endowment. Up to 30 students receive this scholarship annually.

Small Program Scholarships

Scholarships are available for students attending a “Small Program” college or university. Small Program is defined as less than 5,000 enrolled students and/or no more than three campus recreation employees. This scholarship covers the cost of registration and includes a $500 travel stipend.

Regional Endowments and Conferences

NIRSA regions have scholarships available for students to attend the NIRSA Annual Conference as well as regional conferences.

Visit your regional site for more information.

For More Info

Have questions about an application? Want to learn how you can help expand scholarship opportunities? Contact NIRSA Director of Philanthropy, Becky Sowers.

For additional scholarship opportunities offered in your area, please check your state association webpages. These scholarships are separate from the NIRSA Foundation scholarship program.