Professional Development Fund

Professional Development Fund 2022-2023

The Professional Development Fund is temporarily pausing applications. No new applications are being accepted at this time. The fund is expected to reopen with updated guidelines in the coming weeks. Please contact intefund@binghamton.edu with any time-sensitive concerns relating to this pause.

The Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development, with financial support from the Binghamton University Parent Leadership Council, has established a Professional Development Fund to support both undergraduate and graduate Binghamton University students to pursue career- and academic-related professional development opportunities. Funds may cover expenses such as preparation for standardized tests, learning resources, professional attire, conferences and other professional development needs. Students who demonstrate financial need may receive partial to full funding, which will reimburse the costs of eligible expenses associated with the professional development opportunity. 

*Please Note: You need to sign in to careertools to view the application form.

Who is Eligible:

Currently matriculated  Binghamton University undergraduate and graduate students who have made (or will make) a professional development purchase. Funds will cover up to $2,000.

Please note:

  • This is a competitive application process and not all requests will receive funding. Preference will be given to students with the highest financial need. Please indicate your financial need in your personal statement.
  • Funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and are likely to run out before the end of each academic year.
  • There will be monetary limits for purchases/reimbursements and you may not receive the full funding amount requested.

Supported experiences may include, but are not limited to:

  • Registration, travel, material, or lodging expenses for career or research related conferences or competitions.
  • Travel or lodging expenses for professional networking events or training that takes place off-campus .
  • Travel or lodging costs to attend Binghamton University Employer Treks.
  • Graduate or professional school application fees.
  • Graduate or professional school admissions test fees and test preparation courses.
  • Travel to Accepted Student Days for graduate or professional school.
  • Purchase of professional clothing for interviews, networking, etc.

Restrictions:

  • Funds will not be awarded for tuition, fees, or expenses related to course enrollments or education abroad.
  • Funds will not be awarded for any travel to experiences outside of the United States.
  • Students who are traveling to or whose permanent address is within a 100-mile radius of the destination are not eligible for overnight expenses. Transportation may be reimbursed.
  • Funds will not be awarded for political activity.
  • Funds will not be used to purchase technical equipment (laptops/computers/3D printers) or softwares.
  • Funds can not be used for lunch or snacks. Only breakfast and dinner costs may be covered.
  • Students may not request financial support for any retroactive activity.
  • Students will only be awarded up to one request per academic year.

Application Process:

Required to apply

  • Resume
  • Personal statement of interest that includes information about the professional development opportunity and how it relates to future career goals; also indicate your financial need if applicable  (500 words maximum, check application form below)
  • Expenses Budget Worksheet (Note: You will need to download and complete the Expenses Budget Worksheet here and upload to the online application below.)

Deadline:

  • Application opens October 12, 2022 and will be reviewed every month until the new semester starts in August of 2023.
  • You will be notified if your funds are approved within 4 weeks of submitting your application. Please note that this is a competitive application process and not all applicants will receive funding.

Disclaimers/Restrictions:

  • Students may not request financial support for a retroactive activity.
  • Students will only be awarded up to one request per academic year.
  • These funds will be rewarded by reimbursement and in special cases can be rewarded upfront.
  • Money paid upfront requires a W9 form and may impact your tax status at the end of the year.  
  • Please note that this is a competitive application process and not all requests will receive funding. Preference will be given to students with the highest financial need. 
  • Funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and are likely to run out before the end of each academic year. 
  • There will be monetary limits for purchases and you may not receive the full funding amount that you requested.
  • All awards must meet reimbursement criteria for the Binghamton University Foundation.
  • Receipts are due within 14 days of purchase.

Once funds are approved:

Students need to provide the original receipt of their purchase as well as a copy of a credit card or bank statement showing their purchase once they are approved to receive funding. For students who are requesting reimbursement for a conference, students need to include where the conference will be held, date of the conference and a confirmation that they have registered for the conference. 

IMPORTANT: 

  • Students need to provide the receipt of their purchase within 14 days from purchase date.
  • Travel expenses can only be reimbursed. 

For reimbursement:

  • Submit the original receipt of your purchase no later than 14 days from purchase date,. Any receipts submitted after 14 days are ineligible for reimbursement. Receipts for physical purchases (e.g. food purchases, gas) require the original receipt.
  • Submit a copy of credit card or bank statement showing the purchase. Please black out account number (except for the last 4 digits) and other unrelated purchases.
  • If funds are used for a conference registration, submit the conference registration information including where the conference will be held and date of the conference.

Receiving your payment:

A check for the reimbursement amount will be mailed to students within two weeks of receiving the receipts of purchase.

*Please Note: You need to sign in to careertools to view the application form. Please complete all required information below and click submit. Once you submit the application a message will appear indicating that your application has been received.

Please log in using your Binghamton credentials prior to submitting this form. You may do this using the button in the top right.