Scholarships FAQs
- General Information
- Registration Information
- Hotel Information
- Travel Information
- Reimbursement Questions
General Information
What do GHC Scholarships cover?
A full scholarship covers conference registration, a shared hotel room with one other scholarship recipient for up to four nights (check in 10/2 and check out 10/6), and travel expense reimbursement up to a certain amount. Partial scholarships are also awarded which cover some of these expenses.
How many scholarships were awarded last year?
In 2011, 197 full and partial scholarships were awarded. We received over 1,000 applications. We expect higher numbers for 2012.
How does the review process work?
The Scholarship Committee and Scholarship Reviewers consist of men and women from industry and academia. Each application is reviewed by at least two Scholarship Reviewers and the Scholarship Committee. 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, need, and look for thoughtful, creative, well-written essays that stand out.
What special events should I attend at the conference?
We suggest that scholarship recipients plan to attend the following events:
- Scholarship Luncheon on Wednesday, October 3rd at 11:45 am – 12:45pm. The lunch is open to 300 attendees on a first-come first-serve basis.
- CRA-W Career Mentoring Workshops on Wednesday, October 3rd at 12:45 pm – 4:15 pm.
- For the Newcomer Session for First time GHC Attendees and Scholarship Recipients on Wednesday, October 3rd at 6:30 pm – 7:15 pm.
- The Career Fair will be held during the conference on each day, so be sure to stop by the sponsor booths to discuss career opportunities.
Please check the program schedule for information on all activities and sessions.
Registration Information
My school registered me or I registered myself before I knew that I had won a scholarship. What do I do?
You do not need to re-register online, but you do need to contact us so we can issue the reimbursement. Please contact ghcscholarships@anitaborg.orgwith your scholarship registration code and we will issue the refund and modify your registration record.
I did not receive a scholarship. Can I still register at the Super 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 Super 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 also encourage you to consider becoming a Hopper at the conference. Hoppers are temporary conference staff who work 8 hours at the conference in exchange for a free conference registration. Please see the Hoppers page for more information and to apply. Applications will open July 19th.
Hotel Information
Note: Not all scholarships cover hotel. Please check your scholarship acceptance email to see if hotel was included in your scholarship.
Who makes the hotel reservations?
The Scholarship Committee makes reservations for you for the nights of October 2, 3, 4, and 5. Your hotel confirmation number will be posted shortly before the conference. If you want a hotel room for additional nights, please indicate so in registration and we will make the reservation for you; however, you will be asked to provide your credit card information and are responsible for additional charges.
In which hotel will we be staying?
Scholars will have a shared room at the Hampton Inn Baltimore: 550 Washington Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21230.
Will I be assigned a roommate?
Yes, you will be assigned another GHC Scholarship recipient as a roommate.
Can I request a roommate?
Yes, but your roommate must be another GHC Scholarship recipient with the same travel dates as you. You can make your request when you register for the conference. 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?
No, you will need to make and pay for your own arrangements.
My child/spouse/friend will be traveling with me. Can I make my own hotel arrangements?
Yes, but you must notify us by July 31st. You will be partially reimbursed for the nights of October 2, 3, 4, and 5. No other nights will be reimbursed. Please contact ghcscholarships@anitaborg.orgto work out the details.
When are check-in/check-out times?
(coming soon)
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, there will be internet access in the rooms and throughout the hotel. There will also be wifi in the Baltimore Convention Center and Hilton Baltimore Hotel.
If I have problems checking into the hotel, who do I call?
A few days before the conference you will receive an email with 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@anitaborg.org.
Can visa costs be covered by my award?
Most likely. 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 reasonable costs related to your travel. For example, coach airfare, visa costs, cab or shuttle fare, food eaten at the airport (on the days you travel only), etc. You must save your receipts so that you can be reimbursed for your expenses.
What if I need more funding than I was given in my original travel award?
If you think that your travel award will not cover your travel costs you may send the Scholarship Committee a request for additional funding. Requests must be made by August 7th. Your request must include the amount of additional funding that you need and give the committee a breakdown of the expenditures that the additional funding will be used for when you travel. Please send your request to ghcscholarships@anitaborg.org. A member of the committee will contact you to let you know if your request has been granted or denied.
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:
In order for my airfare to be a reasonable amount, I have to arrive a day late. Is this OK?
Yes. However, you will miss many of the sessions geared towards students, including the informational “For the Newcomer” session.
My airfare was higher than I expected. Can my scholarship cover the additional costs?
Perhaps. If you need additional funds please you may send the Scholarship Committee a request for additional funding. Requests must be made by September 30th. Your request must include the amount of additional funding that you need and give the committee a breakdown of the expenditures that the additional funding will be used for when you travel. Please send your request to ghcscholarships@anitaborg.org. A member of the committee will contact you to let you know if your request has been granted or denied.
Where can I find additional information about travel?
Please visit the GHC Travel page for more information about travel.
How should I get from the airport to my hotel?
Ground transportation information is available on the GHC travel page.
Reimbursement Questions
How do I get reimbursed for my expenses?
Please keep all of your original travel receipts. Reimbursement instructions and packets are available online. You must mail your expense report to us AFTER the conference, and a check will be mailed to you 4-6 weeks thereafter. Wire transfers will only be processed for those living outside of the US and Canada.
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 October 6, 2012 will be used to calculate your reimbursement.