Student Travel Fund Rules
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers travel support for students attending professional conferences, thanks to the generosity of alumni donors, including Dr. Barbara Lerner Kurman, a 1978 alumna of our audiology program and president of Northeastern Technologies Group, an audiological equipment sales company.
Undergraduate Students:
Undergraduate students are eligible for one travel award during their program, only if they are presenting as a co-author.
They may receive up to $800 only if they are presenting as co-authors at the conference.
Graduate Students (MS and AuD):
Students are eligible for a one-time travel award during their program.
If not presenting, students may receive up to $300.
If presenting as a co-author, students may receive up to $800.
If a student initially receives $300 for attending a conference without presenting, they may apply for an additional $500 if they present at a second conference.
PhD Students:
PhD students may receive travel support of up to $800 per conference, but only if they are presenting.
They are eligible to receive travel support up to two times during their PhD program.
If an AuD/PhD student received $300 before being admitted to the PhD program, they are eligible for $500 for the first presentation travel and $800 for the second. If $800 was already received, they may receive $800 for one additional presentation at a conference.
Students may apply for travel funds at any time during the academic year.
If funding amounts are limited, priority is given to applicants who are presenting as authors or co-authors.
Applications must include details about the conference and the nature of the student's involvement (presenting or attending), title of presentation (if applicable) and faculty co-author.
Receipts:
Itemized receipts must be submitted for all expenses. Only the approved student's expenses will be reimbursed.
For group expenses, individual receipts or clear identification of each student's portion on the receipt are required.
Reimbursement Limits:
Eligible expenses: Reasonable travel costs per university policy, excluding optional charges such as seat upgrades, meal costs already included in conference registration, or other non-essential fees.
Transportation and lodging expenses should be submitted first.
If the total of those costs is less than the award amount meals may be included up to a limit of no more than $40 per meal, excluding alcohol.
Thank You Letter Requirement:
Students must write a thank you letter to Dr. Kurman, including a brief description of how the funds supported their travel and professional growth.
The letter must be submitted to the department with the receipts before reimbursement will be processed.
These guidelines ensure that funds are used responsibly and that donors are appropriately acknowledged for their support of student professional development.