Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

Student Scholarship Application for the USITT National Conference

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

Student Scholarship Application for the USITT National Conference

supported by the Northern Boundary Section of USITT

Application guidelines:

Students wishing to apply for the NBS/USITT scholarship must be a registered student in good standing in an institution within the Northern Boundary Section area. The student must also be a member of Northern Boundary. If you are not a current member, please fill out the membership form in this newsletter (or at http://www.northernboundary.usitt.org/Membership Application.htm) and mail it with your dues to the Treasurer listed at the bottom of the membership form.

The student must be sponsored by a current faculty member of their institution. Students awarded the scholarship are required to submit an article about their experience by April 15 for publication in the issue following the conference and attend the section meeting at the USITT Conference. The registration fee is paid with the intention that the student will not "work" the conference.

Review process

Application deadline is Oct. 15 of each year to meet the very early registration deadline for the conference. Applications will be reviewed by five members of NBS appointed by the chair. Notification of award will be made in time for early registration.

Application Information

1. Name:

2. Address:

3. Email address:

4. College/University:

5. Faculty Sponser:

Faculty email address:

6. Educational Standing:

Please indicate your major interest areas with a number in order of preference (1 is highest interest):

Please answer the following questions on a separate text document.

7. Have you ever attended a NBS workshop or meeting?

8. Have you ever attended a USITT conference?

9. Have you ever received this scholarship in the past?

10. Attach a letter of application that includes your future plans in theatre or performance and how you expect attendance at a USITT National Conference will further those plans.

11. Ask your faculty sponsor to submit a letter of recommendation to the address below and follow up with your sponsor to ensure that it is mailed.

Please submit this application form, a current resume, and have your letter of recommendation from your faculty sponser sent to Corey Shelsta, NBS Chair. Email: corey.shelsta@sdstate.edu These materials should arrive to Corey by by October 15. When sending via U.S. Mail, the address is: Corey Shelsta, South Dakota State University, Communication Studies & Theatre, CST-Box 2218, Brookings, SD 57007

Student Signature:

Date:

Faculty Sponsor Signature:

Date:

Enter text✕

What this Student Scholarship Application is and who it serves

The Student Scholarship Application for the USITT National Conference is a standardized form used by applicants to request financial assistance to attend the annual USITT conference. It collects applicant identity, academic enrollment details, program of study, statement of need, faculty endorsement, and any requested budget or travel estimates. Organizations use the completed application to evaluate eligibility, compare candidates, and document award decisions. The form supports digital submission and may require attachments such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, or institutional verification to establish student status.

Why a clear, complete scholarship application matters

A well-prepared application ensures fair evaluation, reduces administrative follow-up, and documents eligibility for compliance and audit purposes. Accurate submissions speed review and support consistent award decisions across candidates.

Why a clear, complete scholarship application matters

Typical applicants and administrators involved

This application is used by students seeking conference support and by program administrators who review and award scholarships.

  • Undergraduate and graduate students pursuing theater, design, or production studies seeking travel or registration support.
  • Faculty advisors or department administrators verifying enrollment and nominating candidates.
  • USITT volunteer reviewers and committee members who score and select awardees.

All parties play distinct roles: applicants provide documentation, institutions verify eligibility, and reviewers make funding decisions based on the compiled record.

Core sections to include in a professional scholarship application

A complete application groups information logically so reviewers can assess eligibility, need, and fit quickly.

Applicant Details

Full legal name, preferred name, contact info, student ID, institutional email and phone number for reliable contact and verification.

Enrollment Status

Current degree program, year/term, full-time or part-time status, expected graduation date, and name of the accredited institution.

Financial Need

Clear description of need, other funding sources, estimated travel and registration costs, and requested award amount or coverage.

Academic or Professional Statement

Short statement explaining how attendance supports educational or career goals, projects to be presented, and expected learning outcomes.

Supporting Documents

Unofficial transcript, faculty recommendation, proof of registration or invitation to present, and any required institutional verification forms.

Certification and Signature

Applicant attestation of accuracy, consent to share records with reviewers, signature and date, plus contact information for follow-up.

Step-by-step: submitting a complete application

Follow this sequence to prepare, verify, and submit your scholarship application.

  • 01
    Prepare Documents: Gather transcript, recommendation, travel estimate, and ID.
  • 02
    Complete Form: Fill all fields, using MM/DD/YYYY and full legal name.
  • 03
    Institutional Verification: Request faculty or registrar confirmation if required.
  • 04
    Submit Electronically: Upload attachments and submit before the stated deadline.

How to set up an online submission workflow

Configure your digital workflow to capture required fields, attachments, and reviewer routing.

Field Configuration
Required Fields Mark name, email, student ID and signature required
Attachments Allow PDF uploads for transcript and recommendation
Reviewer Routing Route to faculty then awards committee sequentially
Confirmation Send applicant receipt and PDF copy after submission

Where to send and how submissions are processed

Understand destination, processing steps, and confirmation so your submission is tracked correctly.

  • Submission Portal: Upload applications to the designated USITT scholarship portal or email address
  • Initial Validation: Administrative staff check completeness and required attachments
  • Committee Review: Reviewers evaluate eligibility, need, and fit against criteria
  • Notification: Committee notifies applicants of award decisions and follow-up requirements

Digital submission and integration requirements

Ensure your chosen platform supports required file types, authentication, and retention policies before opening applications.

  • File formats: Accept PDF and DOCX uploads
  • Authentication: Email verification or two-factor access
  • Integrations: Supports CRM and cloud storage

Platforms that integrate with institutional systems reduce manual entry and preserve audit trails for review and compliance.

Typical timeline elements to track during the application cycle

Plan backward from the conference date and allow time for verification, committee review, and notification.

Application Open Window:

Opens several months before the conference to allow planning

Submission Deadline:

Deadline is firm; late applications are frequently ineligible

Review Period:

Committee review may take several weeks depending on volume

Award Notification:

Recipients are typically notified by email with next steps

Reimbursement Deadlines:

Award letters specify documentation and deadlines for payment

Common mistakes to avoid when applying

  • Incomplete attachments: missing transcript or recommendation leads to disqualification or delays.
  • Mismatched names or IDs: inconsistency with institutional records prevents verification and may void application.
  • Unclear budget requests: vague or unsupported cost estimates reduce perceived need and hinder award decisions.
  • Late submissions: failing to meet the stated deadline typically results in automatic ineligibility.

Consequences of errors or omissions

Ineligibility: Application may be rejected
Award Forfeiture: Funds rescinded if misrepresentation detected
Delayed Payment: Processing delays pending verification
Privacy Breach: Improper handling may violate FERPA
Tax Reporting: Awards may trigger IRS reporting
Legal Risk: Intentional false statements carry sanctions

Required applicant information and how to present it

Name: Full legal name
Contact: Institutional email
Enrollment: Degree and status
Financials: Requested amount
Attachments: Transcript, letter
Signature: Signed and dated

eSignature pricing and feature comparison for scholarship workflows

Common vendor options and plan basics for document signing and routing; signNow is listed first per comparison conventions.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently asked questions about the scholarship application and e-submission

Answers to common questions about eligibility, signatures, deadlines, and attachments to reduce confusion and administrative follow-up.


Need help? Contact support

be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users