NEW POLICY as of September 2006

Beginning in 1997, the Graduate Student Association has allotted a portion of the GSA budget to be used specifically for funding student research and professional development. This includes but is not limited to presentation of a paper or project at a conference, attendance at a conference, or research and original works.

The first step is to fill out the original award application form and its supplemental materials and submit them to the GSA office, room 215 in the 7800 York Rd Building. This original award application must be submitted prior to attending the conference. This is a rolling application process, and each application will take about 10 working days to be reviewed and decided upon. We take applications anytime, but please allow extra time for processing when applying outside of the regular University schedule.

Registered graduate students in good academic standing are eligible to apply for and receive an award. Award money will be given as reimbursement for supplies related to research projects, costs associated with a presentation at or attendance of a convention or conference.Should you be granted an award the following must be submitted in order to receive reimbursement:

A miscellaneous voucher with ORIGINAL receipts for any supplies or expenses.

If you are traveling, you must submit a Travel Authorization Form before your trip along with documentation to support the nature of your trip such as a conference brochure or workshop agenda. Once the trip has taken place, a travel voucher along with ORIGINALS of any hotel receipts, travel/fare receipts and boarding passes, registration receipt, for ANY expenses that you wish to be covered, with the exception of meals, a receipt must accompany the travel voucher. Meal expenses are reimbursed according to the Towson University per diem rates.

These are the Towson University Business Travel policies and procedures enforced by the Working Fund unit of Towson's Financial Services department, no exceptions will be allowed.

Contact the GSA office for copies of the required forms or download them from the Towson University forms directory.

If you are interested in obtaining an application, you may print the application by clicking the "Application" button or download Word Document file.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Please Note: Reimbursement takes anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks. The sooner you turn in your receipts and COMPLETED paperwork, the soon you can expect reimbursement! Furthermore, you MUST spend according to the budget you turn into us. Please let us know if your budget changes!

Application    Guidelines     Back to Top     

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

The application process for reimbursement for presentation of a paper at a conference or convention requires:

• Completed application form
• Abstract of the paper to be presented
• Copy of the letter of acceptance to the conference
• Letter of support from the department head or faculty advisor
• Anticipated budget (broken down to reflect where money will be spent) and travel itinerary
• Statement about how a GSA Award will impact or benefit you personally, your educational experience, and Towson University

The application process for reimbursement for research or original work requires:

• Completed application form
• Clear presentation of the research project abstract or description of work in progress
• Letter from the department head or faculty advisor supporting the research project
• Anticipated budget (broken down to reflect where money will be spent) and/or travel itinerary
• Statement about how a GSA Award will impact or benefit you personally, your educational experience, and Towson University
  

The application process for reimbursement for attendance at a conference or convention requires:

• Completed application form
• Copy of the conference or convention agenda
• Letter from the department head or faculty advisor advocating attendance as a furtherance of educational or professional goals
• Anticipated budget (broken down to reflect where money will be spent) and travel itinerary
• Statement about how a GSA Award will impact or benefit you personally, your educational experience, and Towson University
  

Frequently Asked Questions About Funding:

How Much Money Should I Ask For?

What you believe will cover all of your costs.

How Much Money Should I Expect To Receive?

Here is the general breakdown, which is subject to change on a case-to-case basis:

Presentations at a Conference or Convention: 500.00 (or more, depending on circumstances)

Research or Original Work: 300.00 Maximum

Attending a Conference or Convention: 200.00 Maximum

Application    Guidelines    Back to Top     

College of Graduate Studies and Research
Graduate Student Association
7800 York Road, Room 215

Phone: 410-704-3967
Fax: 410-704-4675
E-mail: gsa@towson.edu