Graduate Student Association
PDF/TDF Guidelines
General Information for PDF and TDF
The Graduate Student Association (GSA) provides two resources for individual funding: a Professional Development Fund (PDF) and a Thesis/Dissertation Fund (TDF). Student fee money is allocated for both the PDF and TDF each year, and awards will be given until funds are depleted. A student is eligible to apply for two (2) PDF awards per fiscal year. In addition, students may apply for one (1) TDF for each graduate degree they receive at UNCG.
Professional Development Funds (PDF)
The GSA allocates funds to support professional development activities. Any graduate student attending a professional conference related to his/her academic area may apply for funds. Funds are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis until funds are depleted. Each PDF award is a maximum of $300.
Eligibility for PDF Awards
The student must have been accepted to The Graduate School and enrolled in graduate-level classes at UNCG during the semester of the conference. The student must submit a correct and complete application for funding at least two weeks prior to the conference.
In addition, the student and/or the student's departmental GSA representative must regularly attend the GSA monthly meetings during the academic year. Regular attendance is defined as attendance to all but one (e.g., three out of four, two out of three) of the meetings scheduled each semester. Stipulations to be followed by the student and GSA Executive Board are available upon request. At the end of each semester, attendance records will be reviewed to determine the funding status of each department.
PDF Application Periods
PDF funding is divided into three application periods based on when the professional development activity, usually a conference, occurs:
- Fall: activities between the first day of the fall semester and December 31.
- Spring: between January 1st and May 31st.
- Summer: between June 1st and the first day of the fall semester.
Application Windows
Students may apply for PDF funding only within the following date-ranges:
- Fall activities: Applications will be accepted beginning on the first day of that fall semester.
- Spring activities: Applications will be accepted beginning November 1 of the previous semester.
- Summer activities: Applications will be accepted beginning March 1 of the previous semester.
Deadlines for Applications
All applications must be received a minimum of two (2) weeks prior to the opening date of the conference as shown on the official registration form or invitation letter (not the date you plan to arrive, if not attending the entire event). Since the funds work on a first come, first serve basis, these deadlines are absolutely non-negotiable.
Because funds are limited, students should apply as early as possible after deciding to attend a conference. If plans are cancelled, simply notify the GSA office.
Additional information for PDFs
Please note, these awards are reimbursements, not grants. You must provide proper documentation in order to receive your award. You MUST submit ORIGINAL receipts/proofs of purchase. Therefore, if you submit receipts totaling less than your stipulated award, GSA will reimburse you ONLY for the amounts for which you present original receipts. A PDF award is given to a student attending or participating, in any capacity, in a professional conference or meeting in order to gain information relevant to his/her field of study. Please see the PDF application for further procedures.
Thesis/Dissertation Funds (TDF)
Graduate students are eligible for one award ($ 300.00) per degree. Please see the TDF application for further procedures.