NIRSA Assembly

Professional Scholarships & Grants

Professional Scholarships

More than 40 scholarships are available to professionals to attend the 2023 NIRSA Annual Conference in Pittsburgh. In order to be eligible, applicants must be a NIRSA professional member in good standing for at least two years (NIRSA membership is not required to qualify for a Founder’s Endowment Scholarship). 

Applications for the 2024 NIRSA Annual Conference will be accepted from September 14–November 21, 2023.  

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

Professional scholarship applications are due November 30, 2022

The application period has ended.

General Scholarships

General Scholarships refer to need-based scholarships available to any campus recreation professional.

Scholarships for Professionals from Historically Black Colleges & Universities   

In honor of our founding members—the 20 African Americans from 11 Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs)—the Founder’s Endowment was established specifically for professionals working at HBCUs. It provides scholarship opportunities 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+ Professionals 

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

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

Small Program Scholarships

Scholarships are available to professionals who work at 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. Professionals are encouraged to also apply for a $1,000 travel stipend available through the NIRSA Foundation.

Professional Members are eligible for a NIRSA Foundation Travel Grant  

Eligibility requirements: 

  • Applicants must be a professional member in good standing for at least two years 
  • Seven travel grants will be awarded based on need to one NIRSA professional member from each NIRSA region 
  • The $1,000 (USD) grant is specifically designed to cover travel expenses associated with attending NIRSA 2023 in Pittsburgh (airfare, mileage, and hotel); funds will be released in the form of a reimbursement check after NIRSA 2023 
  • The travel grant does not include the NIRSA Annual Conference registration fee; however, an applicant can also apply for a scholarship to attend the conference

Regional Endowments and Conferences

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

Visit your regional site for more information.

See all of our past Scholarship & Travel Grant recipients

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.