Application Guidelines

Keith A. Thomson Professional Development Grant

Purpose:

To provide financial support to current members of the South Dakota Association of College Career Centers (SDACCC) as they pursue professional development activities.

Eligibility:

1. Current membership in the SDACCC. (Associate members are not eligible.)
2. Individuals applying for a grant must have been active in the organization for a minimum of two years.
3. Each individual member may apply for a grant every third fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).

Awards:

Annual allocation of $300 per fair and the interest from the SDACCC three-year Certificate of Deposit will be applied to the scholarship fund.

A SDACCC member may apply for a grant, ranging from $300 - $500. Total grants awarded for a fiscal year may not exceed $1500.

Qualifying Activities:

All qualifying professional development activities must have a career and employment emphasis. Consideration will be based on the following priority order:

1. Dissertation or thesis research project
2. National Conferences
3. Regional Conferences
4. Other qualifying activities

Application Process:

Download an application

Applications may be obtained from the SDACCC Treasurer upon request and also will be available at all SDACCC official meetings. Applications are due to the SDACCC President by the primary application deadline of September 1st. Grant recipients will be notified at the Fall Association meeting. If the annual allocation has not been awarded after the primary deadline, a secondary deadline may be extended to January 15th for the remainder of the annual allocation. Recipients of the secondary deadline will be notified by March 1st.

Application Review:

Completed applications will be reviewed by a committee of three SDACCC current members appointed by the SDACCC President. Appointed members must not have made application for a grant. An applicant’s dedication and level of participation in SDACCC activities will be considered when reviewing applications.

Expectations of Grant Recipients from the SDACCC:

The award must be used for the approved activity indicated on the grant application. If the grant is not used for the approved activity, the funding must be returned. If funding is not returned with a reasonable time period, the Board of Directors will request in writing the return of the funds and state a deadline for submission and any applicable consequences.

Recipients of a Thomson Professional Development Grant are required to provide an educational presentation at the next official SDACCC meeting that follows the approved activity. The purpose of this presentation is to share the information and knowledge gained as a result of receiving the grant. Handouts of the information are encouraged.