The Graduate School

Graduate Students who are currently enrolled in a Graduate program are eligible to apply.  

I am an accelerated student in an undergraduate program, can I apply?

No, you need to have earned a bachelor’s degree and be fully enrolled in a master’s program to be eligible.

I am a certificate student, can I apply? 

Yes, currently enrolled graduate students can apply. 

I am an international student, can I apply?

Yes. International students enrolled in graduate programs can apply for the award. Please note that form W-8 must be completed for reimbursement.

I am a WCU employee, can I apply? 

WCU employees enrolled in graduate programs may be eligible for the Graduate Dean's Professional Development Award if they do not receive a tuition waiver, tuition reimbursement, or departmental funding for professional development. 

You can search online for professional organizations that offer conferences in your discipline. Your instructors and graduate coordinator can also help identify appropriate conferences to attend.

The award will only reimburse conference registration fees. Travel and other associated expenses are not eligible for reimbursement. 

No. In order to maximize funding for as many as students as possible, only one (1) conference per student can be funded per academic year.  

Professional conferences associated with your program of study are eligible. Other events such as workshops, seminars, and classes are not eligible.  

The conference must take place while you are an active graduate student. Conferences that take place after you graduate are not eligible for reimbursement.

The application cycle for the 2024-25 academic year is now closed. The application is anticipated to reopen in September 2025 for next academic year.

*Notifications for ALL SUMMER REQUESTS will be sent by April 16. 

No. Students attending conferences in spring and summer are not required to wait until that term to apply for an award. In fact, students are encouraged to apply early in order to maximize funding. 

The award application typically opens during the fall semester. Applications for the full academic year (fall, spring, and the following summer) can start being submitted when the application first opens. Students are encouraged to apply early to have to the best chance at receiving an award. 

Enter student ID (only numbers) and press enter -> info will auto-populate. If you’re ID number starts with a 2-9, add a leading zero (0).

No, applications are only accepted for the current academic year. 

No, application deadlines are in place so all applications can be reviewed at the same time, so as many students as possible can be awarded funding. 

Yes. However, students cannot seek funding for the same expense in multiple departments. For example, students can be awarded the registration fee in one department and travel expenses in a different department. Students cannot submit for reimbursement of conference registration in multiple departments.

No, applications are reviewed as a group each semester so funding can be distributed to as many students as possible. 

No. Reimbursements are processed and issued outside of The Graduate School, so we cannot adjust the timeline. 

No. Every student must apply individually with their own application. 

 Yes. While an award is not guaranteed, students can apply for conferences they have already attended in the current academic year.

No. Only the student can be reimbursed for this expense. 

Please email graddeanaward@wcupa.edu and let us know you will not be using your award so we can redistribute the funding. 

After submission, please allow up to 1 month to receive your check in the mail. The check will be mailed to the address you entered on your W9 form. 

No. Reimbursements are processed and issued outside of The Graduate School, so we cannot adjust the timeline.

You must submit an itemized receipt that shows the amount paid and payment method used. 

You must submit your reimbursement request within two (2) weeks of returning from the conference. Requests not received by this deadline will not be processed.

In order for your request to be processed a valid W9 must be on file, per Accounts Payable’s policy.  International students must complete a W8 form instead. 

The form can be uploaded through Self-Service by following these instructions .

Please note the form cannot be accepted via email and it must be signed and dated. 

The check can only be mailed to the address provided on your W9.

Yes, the address should be listed in Ramportal.

The electronic PDF form will be sent with your award notification and should be completed, signed, dated, and returned promptly. 

Yes. The W9 form is required to be reimbursed for non-payroll items. 

Accounts Payable will mail a check to the address listed on your signed and dated W9 form. 

Please e-mail graddeanaward@wcupa.edu so we can check on the status.