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ACADEMICS | RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP

PSP PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD

The goal of the Presidential Scholars Program Professional Development Award (PSP PDA) is to help Presidential Scholars participate in educationally and/or professionally enriching activities that might not otherwise be possible without these enrichment award funds. Presidential Scholars are eligible to apply for PSP PDA funds at any time during their four years of enrollment at Villanova, following the instructions.

Application
FAQs

PROCESS

Scholars prepare their application materials (e.g., contact information for the enrichment program, validation from the proposed enrichment program, a completed budget sheet—see below for an example Budget Worksheet—and verification of costs indicated on the budget sheet) and submit an application to CRF before the pertinent deadline. A committee will review all applications and determine funds to be awarded.

The Presidential Scholars Program leadership reserves the right to change the PSP PDA application rules and protocols at any time.

DEADLINES

September 1 - for use in the fall (Aug 25-Dec 31)
December 1 - for use in the spring (Jan 1-May 31)
April 1 - for use in the summer (June 1-Aug 25)

Note: Applications submitted after the published deadlines will be considered only on a funds-available basis, so it is to your advantage that you submit your application before the deadlines listed. Additionally, in the case of extraordinary circumstances, CRF may choose to expedite the review of an application.

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for the PSP PDA, Presidential Scholars:

  • must be in good standing (including a minimum overall GPA of 3.33)*
  • must be up-to-date with all required advising sessions
  • cannot have graduated before the time period in which the experience is taking place; and
  • must prove acceptance into the program for which seeking funds (send to CRF within 24-48 hours of receipt if you do not have it at the time of application).

*Scholars who are on probation should reach out to CRF directly with ideas, as requests may be considered and granted on a case-by-case basis.

LIMITATIONS  

For use in Fiscal Year 2025 (June 1, 2024-May 31, 2025), Scholars may apply for PSP PDA funds of up to $4,000.

  • There is a lifetime maximum per Scholar during the Scholar's time at Villanova University. The PSP PDA award email will indicate whether the Scholar has reached lifetime maximum. Yearly maximums also apply (please see above).
  • Outside of the yearly and lifetime maximums, there are no limitations to the number of times a Scholar may apply for the PSP PDA in a given semester or during their time at Villanova.
  • In many (if not most) cases, the PSP will be unable to provide the full cost of an enrichment experience. Award amounts vary, but they typically range from $200-$2,000. Please think critically about the amount of funding you are requesting.
  • If the need exceeds PSP PDA, CRF recommends that you apply for additional funding via other sources.
  • PSP PDA funds may not be used to cover financial bill balances (e.g., fees, library fines, parking tickets, health center charges, etc.).
  • PSP PDA funds may not be used to cover Graduate School application fees.
  • PSP PDA funds may not be used to cover tuition or costs that approximate tuition at Villanova or other educational institutions or agencies. Exceptions may be made for courses not offered at Villanova (e.g., language courses), and for study abroad during the summer, as applicable.
  • PSP PDA funds may not be used as stipend, salary, wages, or living expenses for activities occurring at or near Villanova during the academic year.
  • Applications submitted after the published deadlines will be considered only on a funds-available basis, so it is to your advantage that you submit your application before the deadlines listed. Additionally, in the case of extraordinary circumstances, CRF may choose to expedite the review of an application.
  • Applications must be submitted prior to the enrichment activity and may not be used retroactively for past experiences.
  • Your PSP PDA may be considered taxable income. Please refer to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidelines regarding scholarships and fellowships to learn if you need to include your award, or a portion of your award, on your income tax return.
  • Instead of applying for the Villanova Undergraduate Research Fellows (VURF) Summer Program or for the CRF Conference/Research and Travel Grants, Presidential Scholars should submit VURF research proposals through the PSP PDA application.

If you plan to use funds for international travel, please note that your safety is important to us. Following University policy, CRF will deny grant requests for countries with a Travel Warning in force and may deny requests for countries with a public announcement in force. Travel Warnings are issued when conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable lead the State Department to recommend that Americans avoid or consider the risk of travel to that country. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. government’s ability to assist U.S. citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff. If a PSP PDA request has been approved, and a subsequent Travel Warning or public announcement has been issued for the country(ies) to which you are traveling, CRF may cancel approval of the grant request and ask for a return of the awarded funds. See the U.S. Department of State’s website for information on current travel warnings.

TYPES OF EXPERIENCES

Acceptable types of experiences for which a Presidential Scholar may apply for a PSP PDA include (see more information on the FAQs page):

  • Study abroad
  • Unpaid or low-paying internships
  • Summer research
  • Research during the academic year
  • Professional development
  • Volunteer or service experiences

The Presidential Scholars Program is administered by the Center for Research and Fellowships.