Journalist Scholarships: Terms & Conditions for the 2024 Higher Ed Seminar

The Education Writers Association wants to ensure journalist members and media outlets are equitably represented at EWA conferences. Therefore, we are limiting the number of scholarships per independent media outlet to three (this does not include journalists coming as speakers or moderators on panels). 

Thank you for helping EWA diversify the 2024 Higher Education Seminar and allow members from various news organizations and regions to participate in gaining new skills.

Scholarship Terms and Conditions

• EWA is fair and equal in all of its scholarship processes for all individuals, without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristics protected by law.
• Submitting an application does not guarantee a scholarship will be awarded.
• Applicants may be awarded partial scholarships that do not include all costs requested.
• Scholarships are only available for active EWA journalist members who are in good standing. 
• All scholarship decisions are final. There is no appeals process for decisions made regarding the awarding of these scholarships.
• Scholarship recipients agree to follow all instructions and deadlines in their award letter as a condition of their scholarships. If a recipient fails to follow instructions, EWA reserves the right to modify or revoke the scholarship award.
• Any requests for modification or adjustment to an awarded scholarship must be approved by EWA in advance in writing prior to the seminar. No adjustments may be made afterwards.
• Reimbursements will be made after the Higher Education Seminar concludes and only if the recipient attends the 2024 Higher Education Seminar, follows submission instructions as specified on the reimbursement form, and participates in all follow-up surveys or evaluations by the specified deadline.
• All reimbursement forms must be submitted by Sept. 30, 2024.
• Scholarship recipients must purchase travel insurance to reduce the risk of unforeseen events that may prevent attendance. EWA will reimburse up to $50.00 for travel insurance as part of your reimbursement. The travel insurance must be included on your submitted receipt. 
• Scholarships do not include reimbursement for additional meals beyond those provided during the seminar.
• If this reimbursement policy creates a financial hardship for individual scholarship recipients, EWA may be able to reimburse airfare early on a case-by-case basis. 
• If a recipient must cancel after receiving a scholarship letter, they must contact EWA immediately, so the scholarship can be released and reallocated to another qualified applicant.
• Journalists from the same news outlet may be eligible to receive scholarships, but they must submit individual applications to be considered.
• Scholarships are non-transferable. 

Travel

• Travel scholarship recipients are responsible for arranging and paying for their travel at the time of booking. Recipients should refer to their scholarship award letters for details on the parameters of their travel award before purchasing their tickets.
• EWA will reimburse up to the awarded travel amount for those who attend the seminar and complete all required steps as specified.
• If the recipient’s scholarship includes car travel reimbursement (in lieu of airfare or train fare), the scholarship may cover mileage at the prevailing federal rate OR direct expenses (such as gas, tolls, and/or parking). Limits on the reimbursed amount still apply.
• Travel scholarships do not cover ground travel, including but not limited to taxis, mileage, parking, or shuttles between home and the airport. 
• Travel scholarships do not cover other travel fees, including but not limited to baggage fees (checked or carry-on), early boarding fees, upgrades or other fees that are not customary or reasonable.
• Scholarship recipients must purchase travel insurance to reduce the risk of unforeseen events that may prevent attendance. EWA will reimburse up to $50.00 for travel insurance as part of your reimbursement. The travel insurance must be included on your submitted receipt.

Lodging

• Recipients of lodging scholarships are responsible for arranging their lodging at the conference hotel.  
• EWA will reimburse up to the awarded lodging amount for those who attend the seminar and complete all required steps as specified.
• Lodging scholarships are only valid at the conference hotel at the prevailing EWA block rate (or less), including the base room rate and associated taxes. If additional charges to the room are made (e.g., room service), recipients are responsible for those costs.
• Lodging scholarships do not cover hotel costs beyond the scholarship award and the parameters of the seminar, including but not limited to incidentals, early check-in fees, late check-out fees, room rates above the EWA block rate, parking, or additional nights at the hotel unless specifically approved by EWA in advance.
• All recipients are required to cancel their own hotel reservations if they are unable to attend the event. Failure to do so might result in a hotel cancellation or no-show fee that the awardee will be responsible for paying.