Student Affairs Professional Development Scholarships

The Division of Student Affairs is committed to supporting the continued learning, growth, and professional development of our employees. Through the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, $7,500 in annual funding will be allocated to provide professional development opportunities. For the current fiscal year 2026/2027, the application cycle will open this October. Beginning with fiscal year 2027/2028, application cycles will launch each preceding spring. Please note, a successful applicant can be awarded up to a maximum of $2,500.

All Division of Student Affairs employees—excluding executive team managers—are invited to apply. Awards may support participation in an in-person or virtual conference, training, workshop, webinar, institute, certification program, or other professional development opportunities related to your work. Think broadly, think outside the box - this is your professional development opportunity!

Funds may be used for eligible registration and, when applicable, travel expenses. If the total cost exceeds $2,500, other funding must be identified and secured to supplement the award.

AY 2026/27 Opportunity Timeline

October 1, 2026: Applications open
November 1, 2026: Applications close
By November 30, 2026: Recipients selected and notified
By December 31, 2026: funds will be transferred to recipient’s department
By June 30, 2027: Professional Development opportunity, including all trainings and travel, must be completed, concur expenses processed and all payments finalized

*Please note: funds must be used in the fiscal year they are awarded. Unused funds will be forfeited.

Thinking About Applying?

We encourage employees to explore professional development opportunities that will strengthen their work today while also supporting their continued professional growth.

Before applying, please talk with your Appropriate Administrator about the opportunity you are considering. Together, you should discuss how this opportunity connects to your role and professional development, the timing and any operational considerations, anticipated expenses, and whether additional funding may be needed.

The goal of this conversation is to make sure you and your Appropriate Administrator are in agreement that the opportunity is a good fit, that your application should move forward and that the professional development opportunity can be completed in the fiscal year that the funds are awarded. Please have this conversation before submitting your application as your Appropriate Administrator’s written approval is required.

Keep in mind that applying for or receiving an award does not, on its own, authorize registration, travel arrangements, or University expenditures. Those will continue to follow the usual Division and University approval processes.

How Applications Will Be Reviewed

The Vice President’s Executive Team will review applications and select recipients using the following criteria:

Alignment with Role and Responsibility: How clearly the applicant demonstrates that the opportunity will enhance effectiveness in their current role.
Professional Growth and Skill Development: How the opportunity will build new competencies or strengthen existing skills.
Impact on Department, Division, and Student Success: How participation will contribute to departmental goals, divisional priorities, and/or student success initiatives, including how the opportunity aligns with and supports the CSU Student Success Framework.
Aspirational Learning and Future Skill Development: How the opportunity will support the applicant’s professional growth beyond their current responsibilities.
Quality and Relevance of the Opportunity: The reputation and relevance of the opportunity and its appropriateness for the applicant’s professional level and development goals.
Clarity and Thoughtfulness: The clarity, specificity, and thoughtfulness of the application.

Applicants should be specific in sharing what they hope to learn and why the opportunity matters to their work, their professional growth, and the students and colleagues they serve.

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For Those Selected

Professional development has the greatest impact when learning is brought back and shared with others. Recipients will be asked to share what they learned through a department or division meeting, or another appropriate forum as discussed and approved by their Appropriate Administrator.

For opportunities involving travel, recipients will need to work promptly with their department to make the necessary arrangements.

All professional development opportunities and associated expenses must be completed and all payments processed by June 30, 2027, including travel completed and processed through the Concur travel claim process.

Please wait to register, make travel arrangements, or commit University funds until all applicable University approvals have been completed.