Presidents Grant Application

How to Apply:
You may complete the application form below after reading though the information about the grant. You may also download and submit a hard copy to GCCA Past President by clicking here. Contact information is available on form.

Grant Description and Criteria:

The Georgia College Counseling Association is pleased to help support the future of our profession through Presidents’ Grants.  In January 2009, the board voted to establish the Presidents’ Grant to honor the founders and past presidents of GCCA.  These grants, awarded annually, are to encourage and support emerging graduate students in their development as professional college counselors in the state of Georgia.

Presidents’ Grants are designed for students in graduate programs located in Georgia which may lead to employment as a college counselor.  Grant winners are expected to present at the Annual Conference either in a poster session or in a regular session, and may co‐present with professionals. The information below applies to the 2018-2019  academic year.  For more information about GCCA please go here.  See below for contact information specific to the Presidents’ Grant.

Grant Benefits:

1. Cash grant of $200.  (The cash award portion of the grant has no restrictions on use.)
2. Registration for the GCCA Annual Conference and meals provided during the conference (lunch, breakfast).
3. Room for three nights at the GCCA Annual Conference (January 29^th – Feb 1^st 2019).

Criteria for applicants:

1. The applicant must be a masters, specialist, or doctoral level student in a program which prepares students to become a college counselor, if they choose.  This could be counseling, social work, psychology, marriage and family therapy, or other related programs.
2. The applicant must be a member of the Georgia College Counseling Association. Membership is free for students. Complete application by clicking here.
3. The applicant’s program must be based in the State of Georgia or student must be attending a campus in Georgia.
4. The applicant must submit the appropriate application which includes a statement of financial need (Part of the application). The applicant must be willing to submit supporting documentation if requested. This may include tax return information, employment verification, or other documentation.  This information will only be used by the GCCA council and will be destroyed after the grant(s) have been awarded.  Personally identifiable information will not be released to the council.
5. The applicant must submit two letters of support/reference, one of which must come from a faculty member in the program in which the student is enrolled.  References should be submitted in writing in a sealed envelope directly to designated GCCA representative or submitted online via the application form below with a signature from reference.
6. The applicant must submit proof of enrollment.

Rules and Regulations:

Grant winners are required to present at the Annual Conference. This may be a 20 minute poster session (this may be done via PowerPoint presentation) or a regular, 1.5 hour presentation session.   Grant recipients are also expected to assist at the conference with tasks assigned by the executive council. *Doctoral Students must present a 1.5 hour program.

The GCCA Council will review all applications and make recommendations to the Past‐President as to whom the grant should be awarded. The review process will be “blind.” Applicants will be assigned a number and personally identifiable information will be removed before applications are reviewed. Scholastic accomplishment, demonstrated leadership, and financial need will be considered in determining grant recipients. The Council may modify the criteria or other aspects of the grant.  The Council may elect to offer more than one grant during a given year.

Timetable:

• Deadline for applications:  November 30^th, 2018
• Award winners will be notified:  December 15^th,  2018
• Awards will be announced at the annual conference:  January 29^th-Feb 1^st , 2019

Contact for Presidents’ Grant Information:

If you have any questions regarding the Presidents’ Grant, do not hesitate to contact the current GCCA Past‐President. All grant applications are submitted directly to the Past‐President, who will also inform all applicants of their status after grant recipients are selected.

Angie Wheelus
GCCA Past‐President
Director Student Support Services,
Georgia Highlands College
3175 Cedartown Highway
Rome, GA 30161
(706) 368-7707
awheelus@highlands.edu