Ferris State University is here to support both your academic and career growth. This includes participating in professional development experiences. These types of experiences are a crucial step in helping to bridge the gap between your academics and your career. These experiences will also allow you to begin building social capital that will support your career success beyond graduation.
We also know that college is expensive, and it can be hard to come up with the money to cover the costs involved in attending professional development experiences, so we want to help cover some of those costs. Thanks to funding through a Title III grant, we are able to offer Pell Eligible Undergraduate First-Gen Students funding to help cover professional development experiences.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a Ferris First-Gen student based on the definition below.
- Students from families where neither of their parents completed a bachelor’s degree in the United States.
- Must be an undergraduate student (pursuing an associate's or bachelor's degree).
- Must be Pell eligible.
- Must have completed at least two semesters at Ferris at the time that the travel is scheduled for.
- Must have FAFSA completed for current year.
- International students are not eligible.
What Types of Professional Development are Covered?
- Professional Organization Membership
- Conferences and Symposiums
- Webinars
- Workshops
- Class Fieldtrips
- Study Abroad
- External Certifications
- Internship Costs (excluding tuition)
What Specifically Can Typically Be Covered?
- Professional Organization Membership
- Conference Registration
- Transportation (flights, rideshare, taxi, etc.)
- Hotel/Lodging
- Parking (hotel, airport, etc.)
- Meal Per Diem
- Passport Fees
- Material Cost for Presentations
What Cannot Typically Be Covered?
- Tuition Cost
- Alcohol
- We are not able to provide cash in any form.
Study Abroad Specifics
- Due to the nature of study abroad trips, there is a different process and fund cap.
Before you apply for funding for study abroad, please ensure that you have completed/understand
this process.
- You must meet with someone in the international office to go over the process and financial costs of a study abroad trip.
- You must have a FAFSA completed for the current academic year.
- The maximum you can request for study abroad trips is $1,500.
- Requested funds cannot exceed the cost of the trip.
- If your application is approved, you must pay the required study abroad deposit before the FG Professional Development funds will be released to your student account (to help cover the remaining costs).
Please note that applications must be submitted at least one month prior to when the funds are needed.
Be on the lookout for workshops throughout the semester for help with the application process. Additionally, we will be offering pre-travel professional etiquette trainings throughout the semester.
If you are awarded funds, you will be asked to prepare a short presentation for an upcoming First-Gen RSO meeting.
Click here to begin the application process. It is recommended that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid delays and additional costs.