WBTA Scholarship Program
General Education
2015 Application
Dear General Education Scholarship Applicant:
Thank you for your interest in the WBTA Scholarship Program. The Wisconsin Business Travel
Association (WBTA) is dedicated to providing travel professionals access to educational
opportunities. To support this initiative, in 2015, WBTA will award Two (2) $1,000
scholarships to an eligible WBTA Member.
The scholarship is awarded on a merit basis, with the recipient recognized as developing a
superior education/professional development plan. If you are selected, you will receive a $1,000
grant, which will be allocated to the Continuing Education Program that you designate. This
scholarship is available to WBTA members only for their continued education (i.e. college, trade
schools, classes) only. The scholarship will be awarded at the May 2015 WBTA meeting and
must be used within two years of acceptance.
Please review all materials in the enclosed Application Kit. Complete all forms and
requirements and send to Elizabeth Dressel by Friday, April 17, 2015. Applications arriving
after that date will not be considered.
The forms and information to be completed and returned are as follows:
1.
2.
3.
Application
Essay
Certification of applicant endorsement
If you have any questions, please contact Elizabeth Dressel at (608) 834-4943 or
elizabeth.dressel@us.qbe.com.
Again, thank you for applying for the WBTA Scholarship Program. We look forward to
receiving your application.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Dressel
WBTA Scholarship Committee Chair
Wisconsin Business Travel Association
Scholarship Program
I.
PURPOSE
The Wisconsin Business Travel Association’s (WBTA) mission includes advancing the
professional development of travel professionals. To support this initiative, WBTA has
developed a scholarship program for eligible WBTA members and their immediate
family members toward continuing education.
II.
SCOPE
WBTA scholarship grants are only available to qualified members of the Wisconsin
Business Travel Association who have demonstrated a well thought out education and/or
professional development plan.
III.
THE PROGRAM
A. Type of Scholarship
1. Scholarship will be awarded to a qualified individual to pursue continuing
education (i.e. college, trade schools).
2. Two (2) Scholarships will be awarded in the amount of $1,000.
3. Scholarship may not be applied to courses already completed.
4. Scholarship must be used within two years of acceptance.
5. Scholarship is given to the individual and is not transferable.
6. Applicants are eligible to receive no more than two WBTA scholarships
throughout their participation in WBTA education programs.
B. Timeframe
1. Applications are due no later than April 17, 2015.
2. Scholarship will be awarded at the May 2015 WBTA meeting.
3. The WBTA Scholarship Committee will notify scholarship recipients no later
than May 6, 2015.
IV.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
A. Applicant must be an active member of WBTA, and must retain WBTA membership
throughout the scholarship period.
B. Applicant must comply with all schedules and requirements pertaining to the
scholarship application process.
V.
APPLICATION PROCESS
A. Criteria and Procedures --Each applicant must:
1. Complete and submit application by April 17, 2015.
2. Submit an autobiographic essay outlining their education and/or professional
development plan, stating why the applicant is applying for the scholarship and
why the applicant should be selected.
3. Submit a personal endorsement form.
4. Applications must be complete to be considered.
B. Application Review
1. Applications are treated as privileged communication and are restricted to the
WBTA Scholarship Committee and WBTA Board members only.
2. The decision of WBTA to grant or not to grant a scholarship rests within the sole
and unfettered discretion of the WBTA Scholarship Committee, shall be final and
binding, and shall not be subject to challenge in any court for any reason.
3. WBTA Scholarship Committee will notify recipients directly.
VI.
SELECTION OF SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
A. Selection Criteria
The WBTA Scholarship Committee will select scholarship grant recipients based on
standard recipient selection procedures. Scholarship grants will be awarded using the
following standards:
1. Awards and honors
2. Leadership and participation within the travel industry, community,
extracurricular or other related activities
3. Statement of career objectives
B. Scholarship Committee
The WBTA Scholarship Committee is comprised of corporate travel managers and
representatives from the travel industry.
VII.
PAYMENT OF THE SCHOLARSHIP
A. The funds from the scholarship will be paid directly to the institution. WBTA will
not make the check payable to the recipient.
B. Scholarship funds will apply to tuition or registration fees only.
C. Funds are available for two years from the date of receipt.
VIII. CONTACT INFORMATION
Completed applications and attachments must be received by close of business on
April 17, 2015. Send to: QBE Americas, B100, Attn: Elizabeth Dressel, 1 General
Drive, Sun Prairie, WI 53596
Questions concerning the application process should be directed to Elizabeth Dressel at
(608) 834-4943 or elizabeth.dressel@us.qbe.com.
WBTA GENERAL EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION – 2015
NAME: __________________________________
TITLE: __________________________________
COMPANY: ______________________________
PHONE: _________________________________
ADDRESS: _______________________________
FAX: ____________________________________
CITY, STATE, ZIP: ________________________
E-MAIL: _________________________________
1. WBTA affiliation (check most appropriate)
 Allied
 Direct
2. Responsibilities: Briefly describe your responsibilities as they relate to staff supervision, budget,
policy, negotiations and other areas.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
3. Years in Industry _____ 4. Years NBTA member _______
5. Industry, GBTA and WBTA Activities (Offices held, Committees, Speaker, Instructor, etc.)
a.
d.
b.
e.
c.
f.
6. Number of GBTA conferences attended __________
7. Education: _____High School _____Some College ____AA _____BA _____MA _____ Ph.D.
8. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
a.
d.
b.
e.
c.
f.
9. ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AWARDS and CERTIFICATIONS
a.
d.
b.
e.
c.
f.
Affidavit: I certify that all information provided is true and if requested, proof of same will be submitted.
Failure to provide documentation, upon request, shall invalidate this application and result in
termination of any aid granted.
_____________________________________________
Signature
__________________________
Date
WBTA SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY
INSTRUCTIONS
Requirements:
Each scholarship applicant prepares and submits an essay to the WBTA
Scholarship Committee for evaluation as part of the selection process.
“Essay” must be submitted with the application and received by WBTA
no later than April 17, 2015.
Purpose:
The essay will provide necessary information to understand the merits,
accomplishments, and other reasons as to why the applicant should be
selected for a WBTA Scholarship. It will be scored based on organization,
clarity, completeness, and conviction.
The essay should outline the applicant’s experience, continuing education,
personal accomplishments, career goals and objectives, WBTA
participation, industry activities, job accomplishments and volunteerism.
Format:
1. The essay will be type written on standard 8 1/2” x 11” white paper
not to exceed two pages.
2. The applicant name, title and address will be in all capital letters at the
top of the page.
PERSONAL ENDORSEMENT FROM APPLICANT
TO:
WBTA General Education Scholarship
FROM:
Name ____________________________________________________________
Title _____________________________________________________________
Company _________________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip _____________________________________________________
Phone _______________________________ Fax _________________________
SUBJECT:
Name of Scholarship Applicant: _______________________________________
I, ________________________________________________, am very pleased to be applying
for a WBTA General Education Scholarship. Please be assured that I will endorse and support
this effort by confirming that I will have the time to attend courses necessary to achieve
objective.
_______________________________________
Signature
____________________________________
Date