NIRSA 2026 Aurora

Financial Assistance

  • The NIRSA Foundation is dedicated to the personal and professional development of NIRSA members

What you need to know

Scholarships are available for students and professionals to attend the 2026 NIRSA Conference and Campus Rec Expo in Aurora. Applicants do not need to be a NIRSA member to apply for a scholarship; however, recipients will be required to become a NIRSA member upon accepting a scholarship.

Important dates

  • Applications will be accepted Monday, September 15 through Saturday, November 15, 2025.

  • Recipients will be notified no later than Wednesday, February 11, 2026. All applicants will be notified of their application status before early bird registration ends.

Student Scholarship Opportunities

General Scholarships

available to any campus recreation student who applies through the application portal

Scholarships for LGBTQ+ students

The Braden Endowment provides scholarship opportunities for campus recreation students who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. Recipients of this grant will also receive a $750 travel stipend.

Small Program Scholarships

Scholarships are available for students attending a "Small Program" college or university. Small Program is defined as less than 5,000 enrolled students and/or no more than three campus recreation employees. This scholarship covers the cost of registration and includes a $750 travel stipend.

Professional Scholarship Opportunities

General Scholarships

need-based scholarships available to any campus recreation professional

Scholarships for LGBTQ+ professionals

The Braden Endowment provides scholarship opportunities for campus recreation professionals who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. Recipients of this grant will also receive a $750 travel stipend.

Small Program Scholarships

Scholarships are available for professionals attending a "Small Program" college or university. Small Program is defined as less than 5,000 enrolled students and/or no more than three campus recreation employees. The scholarship covers the cost of registration and includes a $750 travel grant.

NIRSA Foundation Travel Grants

Applicants must be a professional member in good standing for at least two years; grants will be awarded based on need to one NIRSA professional member from each NIRSA region; the $750 (USD) grant is specifically designed to cover travel expenses with attending NIRSA 2026 in Aurora (airfare, mileage, and hotel) – funds will be released in the form of a reimbursement check after NIRSA 2026; the travel grant does not include the NIRSA Conference registration fee, however, an applicant can also apply for a scholarship to attend the conference

  • General Scholarships: available to any campus recreation student who applies through the application portal
  • Scholarships for students from Historically Black Colleges & Universities: In honor of the 20 African American founders of the Association who came from 11 Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs), the Founders Endowment provides scholarship opportunities for students working in campus recreation at HBCUs to attend either the NIRSA Annual Conference or a NIRSA institute. Recipients of this grant will also receive a $500 travel stipend.
  • Scholarships for LGBTQ+ students: The Braden Endowment provides scholarship opportunities for campus recreation students who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. Recipients of this grant will also receive a $500 travel stipend.
  • Scholarships for racial or ethnic minority groups: The Gartenberg Endowment provides scholarships to students who self-identify with a racial or ethnic minority group to attend the NIRSA Annual Conference.
  • Small Program Scholarships: Scholarships are available for students attending a "Small Program" college or university. Small Program is defined as less than 5,000 enrolled students and/or no more than three campus recreation employees. This scholarship covers the cost of registration and includes a $500 travel stipend.

  • General Scholarships: available to any campus recreation student who applies through the application portal
  • Scholarships for students from Historically Black Colleges & Universities: In honor of the 20 African American founders of the Association who came from 11 Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs), the Founders Endowment provides scholarship opportunities for students working in campus recreation at HBCUs to attend either the NIRSA Annual Conference or a NIRSA institute. Recipients of this grant will also receive a $500 travel stipend.
  • Scholarships for LGBTQ+ students: The Braden Endowment provides scholarship opportunities for campus recreation students who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. Recipients of this grant will also receive a $500 travel stipend.
  • Scholarships for racial or ethnic minority groups: The Gartenberg Endowment provides scholarships to students who self-identify with a racial or ethnic minority group to attend the NIRSA Annual Conference.
  • Small Program Scholarships: Scholarships are available for students attending a "Small Program" college or university. Small Program is defined as less than 5,000 enrolled students and/or no more than three campus recreation employees. This scholarship covers the cost of registration and includes a $500 travel stipend.
  • General Scholarships: need-based scholarships available to any campus recreation professional
  • Scholarships for professionals from Historically Black Colleges & Universities: In honor of the 20 African American founders of the Association who came from 11 Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs), the Founders Endowment provides scholarship opportunities for professionals working in campus recreation at HBCUs to attend either the NIRSA Conference. Recipients of this grant will also receive a $500 travel stipend.
  • Scholarships for LGBTQ+ professionals: The Braden Endowment provides scholarship opportunities for campus recreation professionals who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. Recipients of this grant will also receive a $500 travel stipend.
  • Small Program Scholarships: Scholarships are available for professionals attending a "Small Program" college or university. Small Program is defined as less than 5,000 enrolled students and/or no more than three campus recreation employees. Professionals are encouraged to also apply for a $1,000 travel stipend available through the NIRSA Foundation.
  • NIRSA Foundation Travel Grants: Applicants must be a professional member in good standing for at least two years; grants will be awarded based on need to one NIRSA professional member from each NIRSA region; the $1,000 (USD) grant is specifically designed to cover travel expenses with attending NIRSA 2025 in Orlando (airfare, mileage, and hotel) – funds will be released in the form of a reimbursement check after NIRSA 2025; the travel grant does not include the NIRSA Conference registration fee, however, an applicant can also apply for a scholarship to attend the conference
Thanks to Our Sponsors
Thanks to our NIRSA Sponsors!

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