ATTENTION: Summer funding requests are now officially closed for the 2025-2026 school year. The application will tentatively reopen on Monday, August 31, 2026. For more details, please see section Summer Funding Deadline.
The Career Development Funding Request form is at the very bottom of this page. You may need to sign in to the virtual career center at the top-right corner of this page using your Dickinson credentials to access the form. Please read all of the terms and conditions of the fund below prior to completing the form.
If you have already completed your professional development activity and are looking for the post-event reflection form, please click here.
Overview
This funding, provided by generous donors to the College, helps students explore careers, build professional skills, and engage with employers or industry communities. Supported experiences may include but are not limited to:
- Professional or industry conferences
- Networking events
- Job shadowing experiences
- Skills-based certifications or trainings required for a given industry
All applications are reviewed by Center for Career Development staff. Funding is limited and awarded on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted.
What the Fund Covers
Approved expenses may include:
- Registration for conferences
- Transportation costs to and from an event (except for international travel)
- Lodging, when:
- The event is more than two hours away, and
- The event schedule prevents safe same-day travel
- Certification or training fees for industry-relevant learning
Expenses Not Covered
The fund explicitly does not cover (not an exhaustive list):
- Meals/food-related expenses
- Merchandise, entertainment, or optional conference events
- International travel to an event
- Research, internships, or trainings that should be covered by the employer
- Legal work authorization fees (e.g., OPT, H-1B)
- Graduate or professional school application or enrollment fees
- Costs associated with background checks, fingerprinting, child abuse clearances, or other required clearances or compliance screenings
If you are unsure whether an expense qualifies, contact career@dickinson.edu before applying.
Funding Limits & Priority
- Maximum award: $800 per student per academic year (July 1–June 30)
- Priority is given to first-time applicants
- Students may not receive funding more than once for the same event or conference during their entire time at the College
Students are responsible for any costs beyond the approved funding amount.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be currently enrolled at Dickinson College
- Students on leave and alumni are not eligible
- Be in good academic and campus life standing
- Submit a complete application, including all required documentation
- Demonstrate how the opportunity supports their career development goals
The Center for Career Development may consult with the Registrar, Financial Aid, or other College offices to confirm eligibility.
Summer Funding Deadline
To support annual budget reconciliation and planning, the Center for Career Development pauses Career Development Funding during the summer months.
- Funding requests close after the final day of spring semester classes and reopen on the first day of fall semester classes.
- Funding requests cannot be submitted or approved during this pause period.
- Funding requests cannot be submitted or approved during this pause period.
- Professional development activities that take place during the pause are not eligible for retroactive funding, unless prior written approval was granted before the funding deadline.
- Students are strongly encouraged to plan ahead for summer opportunities and submit funding requests well in advance of the pause period. Questions about timing or eligibility should be directed to career@dickinson.edu prior to submitting an application.
Important Note for Graduating Seniors
Due to processing and reimbursement timelines, students in their final semester at Dickinson College must adhere to earlier application and post-event deadlines in order to remain eligible for Career Development Funding.
- Spring graduates
- Funding request deadline: March 15
- Post-Event Submission Form deadline: April 15
- Fall graduates
- Funding request deadline: October 15
- Post-Event Submission Form deadline: November 15
Final-semester students whose applications or post-event materials are submitted after these deadlines will not be eligible for funding or reimbursement, regardless of event dates. Students are strongly encouraged to plan early and consult with the Center for Career Development if they are unsure whether their graduation timeline affects their eligibility.
Important Academic Note
Receiving funding does not excuse class absences. Students must discuss attendance plans with faculty and receive permission before applying.
How to Apply
Timeline
- Students must submit their application at least 10 business days prior to the event
- Funding cannot be awarded retroactively for past events
Payment & Reimbursement
- Students will pay expenses upfront and are reimbursed after completing post-event requirements
- Students who have already registered may still apply if the event has not yet occurred and the application is submitted on time
- Funding is not guaranteed; requests may be partially funded or denied
The Center for Career Development recognizes that not every student may be able to pay for professional development opportunities out-of-pocket and may need the funds in advance to cover these expenses. If you feel that you should need the funds in advance, please contact the Center for Career Development at career@dicksinon.edu or (717) 245-1740 for further guidance prior to submitting your request.
Application Requirements
Your application must include the following where applicable:
Event Information
- Description of the event, training, or conference
- Links, flyers, brochures, and registration cost
Budget & Documentation
Provide estimates and supporting documentation for all requested expenses:
Registration/certification fees
- Screenshot(s) or documentation of anticipated expenses for the event
Lodging
- Screenshot(s) or documentation showing:
- Hotel name
- Location
- Estimated cost
Public transportation (plane, train, bus, Uber, etc.)
- Screenshot(s) showing estimated cost
- Include return trip
Personal vehicle
- Mileage to/from campus
- Reimbursed at $0.70 per mile
- Use a map or travel app to calculate distance
- Rental car expenses may also be requested
Written Statement
- Short essay explaining:
- How the experience supports your career development or professional goals
- Three specific career goals you hope to achieve by attending
Award Notification
Students will be notified by a member of the Center for Career Development within 5 business days of submitting an application. This notification will include:
- Award decision and amount
- Next steps
- Post-event requirements (see further below for more information)
Receiving Funds
- Reimbursements are issued after you complete the Post-Event Submission Form
- Payment methods:
- Direct deposit, if banking info is on file with the College (e.g., having an on-campus job)
- Paper check mailed to your home address, unless noted otherwise
- Please note that reimbursement may take 2-4 weeks to process
Approved expenses must match submitted receipts. Missing receipts may result in partial or full repayment charged to your student account.
Funding may be taxable—students are responsible for reviewing applicable IRS guidelines.
Use of Other Funding Sources
If a student’s total expenses exceed the allowed amount from this fund, they are permitted to secure additional funding from outside sources to make up the difference in cost. If students receive funding for the same event from another source, the Center for Career Development maintains the right to withdraw approved funds if the additional award amount(s) will cover or exceed 50% or more of the total costs requested by the student from this fund. If this is discovered to have occurred after the event or after funding has already been awarded, then a portion or total amount of the funds granted through this award may be added to the student’s account for repayment following the conference.
Post-Event Requirements
Within two weeks after the event, students must submit the Post-Event Submission Form, including:
- Reflection essay describing:
- What you learned
- Whether you achieved stated goals
- Up to three photos from the event
- Final receipts for approved expenses
- Registration
- Lodging
- Travel/mileage
- Marketing consent form
Receipts should include as much detail as possible (vendor, date, amount, purchaser, etc.)
Cancellations
If your event is canceled or you cannot attend:
- Notify the Center for Career Development within 24 hours at career@dicksinon.edu
- The Center will work with you on refund or repayment processes
- If the student cancels:
- A reason must be provided
- The Center will attempt to recover costs through the conference, when possible
Appeals Process
Currently, there is no process to appeal funding decisions. When funds have been spent, applicants must wait until a future cycle to apply.
Policy Notice
All policies, deadlines, funding availability, and eligibility requirements are subject to change. Students are encouraged to contact the Center for Career Development and consult the information on this page regularly for the most current information.
Contact
Students can contact the Center for Career Development at career@dickinson.edu with questions. Students are encouraged to ask questions prior to the application to ensure that they are completing it appropriately.