Student Scholarships: Student Scholarships FAQ

General Information

What do GHC Scholarships cover?

A full scholarship covers conference registration, lodging for three nights (with a roommate), and travel expenses. Partial scholarships are also awarded which cover some of these expenses.

How many scholarships were awarded in the past?

In 2006, approximately 83 full scholarships, and 25 partial scholarships. Over 550 applications were received. We expect similar numbers for 2007.

How does the review process work?

The Scholarship Committee consists of men and women from industry and academia. Each application is reviewed by at least two members of the Scholarship Committee, and the reviews are blind. Each reviewer answers questions about each application, and the results are tallied and normalized. Scholarships are awarded to the candidates with the highest scores.

What criteria are used to award scholarships?

We use a variety of criteria and try to evaluate each candidate individually. We consider academic achievement, potential in the field, and need, and look for thoughtful, creative, well-written essays that stand out.

What do I need to do before I attend the conference?

We encourage you to submit your resume to the on-line resume database following the directions you received in an email.

What events do I need to attend at the conference?

On Wednesday, Oct 17:

• “For the Newcomer”, 5:30 pm, location to be determined. (Optional, but recommended if this is your first time attending GHC)
• “Opening Reception”, 6:00 pm, location to be determined. (Optional, but recommended). Here we will have a table for you to meet up with other scholarship recipients and learn about panels and workshops that might be of interest to you.
• “GHC Scholarship Winners Orientation”, time and location to be determined, required for all GHC Scholarship winners

On Friday, October 19:

• “Scholarship Luncheon”, 12:15 pm location to be determined.

In order for my airfare to be a reasonable amount, I have to arrive a day late. Is this OK?

Yes. You will miss the “For the Newcomer”, so you may have some questions upon your arrival.

Registration Information

My school registered me before I knew that I had won a scholarship. What do I do?

You will need to re-register as a scholarship attendee using the procedure detailed in your award letter. Your school will be reimbursed for the fee they paid for your registration. Please contact ghcscholarships@cs.tamu.edu for details on the reimbursement procedure.

I did not receive a scholarship. Can I still register at the Early Bird rate or are there other ways I can attend the conference?

Yes. If you do not receive a scholarship we will give you a window of time to register for the conference at the Early Bird rate.

If you would like to come to the conference but think you can not afford to attend we encourage you to consult with a sympathetic person in your department in order to determine if you have exhausted all local opportunities to secure funding. We would also encourage you to become a Hopper at GHC 2007. Hoppers are temporary conference staff who work 8 hours at the conference in exchange for a complementary conference registration. Please see the Be a Hopper page for more information and to apply. The application deadline is August 20, 2007.

Lodging Information

Note: Not all scholarships cover lodging.

Who makes the hotel reservations?

The Scholarship Committee makes reservations for you for the nights of Oct 17, 18, and 19. If you were awarded a Bridge Day Scholarship we will also make arrangements for you on Oct 16. If you need arrangements for additional nights, you are responsible for making (and paying for) these arrangements.

In which hotel will we be staying?

You will be notified which hotel you will be staying when you receive your confirmation number. More information will be posted to the Registration & Travel page.

Will I be assigned a roommate?

Yes, you will be assigned another GHC Scholarship winner as a roommate.

Can I request a roommate?

Yes, but your roommate will need to be another GHC Scholarship recipient. Please log in to the scholarship Web site to do this. We cannot guarantee that we can honor your request, although we will do our best.

I want to arrive a day early/leave a day late. Does my scholarship cover this?

Your scholarship covers lodging for a total of three nights (four if you are attending Bridge Day). For example, if you are arriving a day early and leaving a day early, your scholarship may cover all three nights. Contact ghcscholarships@cs.tamu.edu to work out the details.

My child/spouse/friend will be traveling with me. Can I make my own hotel arrangements?

Yes, and you can be reimbursed up to the cost of half of a double room for three nights. Please contact ghcscholarships@cs.tamu.edu to work out the details.

When are check-in/check-out times?

Check-in time is 3:00 pm and check-out time is 11:00 am.

What do I do with my luggage if I arrive before the check-in time or leave after the check-out time?

The hotel will have a place for you to store your luggage if you arrive early or leave late. Ask for details at the front desk.

Does the hotel have high-speed internet access?

Yes. The Hotel guarantees Internet access in your room. We are working on providing access during the Conference.

If I have problems checking into the hotel, who do I call?

A few days before the conference you will receive an email which contains this information.

Travel Information

Note: Not all scholarships cover travel expenses.

My award letter said that I would receive $0 USD for my travel expenses. Is this correct?

Probably. Some of the partial scholarships awarded do not cover travel expenses. If you have questions about your award please contact ghcscholarships@cs.tamu.edu.

Can my visa costs be covered by my award?

Maybe. You cannot be reimbursed more than your travel allowance. If your award covers $500 towards travel, and your airfare was $500, then you cannot be reimbursed for your additional costs. But, if your award covers $500 and your airfare was only $400, then the additional $100 could be used to cover costs such as your visa. Please keep your receipts.

What exactly does my travel award cover?

It can be used to cover most costs related to your travel. For example, if your award covers $500 towards travel, and your airfare is only $400, then the remaining $100 can be used to cover visa costs, cab or train fare, food eaten at the airport, etc, as long as these expenses are reasonable. (For example, you will probably not be reimbursed for a $75 snack at the airport.) Save your receipts!

Which websites do you suggest I use to book my travel to GHC?

The Scholarship Committee recommends that you use the following sites to book your airfare:

• Travelocity
• Orbitz
• Expedia

My airfare was higher than I expected. Can my scholarship cover the additional costs?

Perhaps. If you need additional funds please log in to the Scholarship site to request an increase and give us your airfare estimate. A member of the committee will contact you to let you know if your request has been granted.

Where can I find additional information about travel?

Additional information will be available on the Registration & Travel page.

How much is cab fare from the airport to the hotel?

Approximately $50 USD (plus tip) from Orlando International. Before you get into the cab, ask the driver what the fare will be, and if it is much higher than $50, find another cab.

We recommend Mears Shared Shuttle (Mears Transportation Group): ~$19 one-way per person or $31 round-trip per person. Reservations can be made online or by phone: (407) 423-5566. Note: This is a shared ride. Waiting times at the airport can be up to 45 minutes. Additionally, it will take 30-45 minutes to reach the hotel, depending on traffic. For the return trip from the hotel to the airport, you will be asked to schedule transportation 3 hours before your return flight.

Who do I contact if I have questions about a visa?

Contact ghcscholarships@cs.tamu.edu.

If I have problems while I am traveling who do I call?

A few days before the conference you will receive an email which contains this information.

Reimbursement Questions

How do I get reimbursed for my expenses?

You will be sent a packet of information with details about the reimbursement process. No reimbursements will be made on-site this year.

Do my receipts need to be in English?

No. But they do need to be original receipts.

Do my receipts need to be in USD?

No. We can convert your receipt amounts to USD. The exchange rate at the end of the business day on Oct. 17 will be the rate that is used.

If I have additional questions, who do I ask?

Please contact ghcscholarships@cs.tamu.edu.