1. 2016-2017 Simmons Graduate Council
A Helpful Guide

2. What is the Graduate Council?
The Simmons School of Education and Human Development’s Graduate Council was started in 2011 by the student body.
The Council administers funds for graduate student enrichment and professional development projects and research.
Graduate council funds are accrued from student fees and are designed to support student growth and development activities.
Each department within the Simmons School has an elected representative on the council.

3. Who are the Graduate Council Representatives?
Masters of Liberal Studies – Bryan Prasifka
Ph.D. in Education – Jillian Conry
M. Ed Education Policy and Leadership – Rekha Nair
Masters of Counseling – Ebonii Nelson
Masters of Dispute Resolution – Betsey Attel
Masters of Sport Management – Kacie Kamp
Ed. D Education Policy and Leadership – Laurie Gagne
Doctor of Liberal Studies – Gina Weber

4. Who can receive funds?
Students currently enrolled in a graduate or Ph.D program within the SMU Simmons School of Education & Human Development are eligible.
Both the main and Plano campuses are eligible.

5. How can funds be utilized?
Student travel, conference and event fees, networking activities, support for research projects, and other activities that enrich a graduate student’s experience at SMU.
Events where you are presenting academic research.
Activities/events that are related to your studies but are not for course credit.
Examples include the 2016 Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Conference in Grapevine, TX, the 2015 Association of Graduate Liberal Studies (ALGLSP) National conference in San Jose, CA, or the 2016 Society for the Scientific Study of Reading (SSSR) Conference in Porto, Portugal.

6. Reimbursement
The process is designed to reimburse expenses, not provide money up front. If an application is approved, all relevant receipts must be turned in immediately after the event.
Just because plane tickets, hotel rooms, registration fees, etc. are purchased prior to an application’s submission does not mean that application is guaranteed approval. A quality application is still required and must be approved. This is an accepted risk when submitting to the Council.

7. What is not eligible for reimbursement?
Capital expense items (items that cost more than $5,000 or last longer than five years such as computers).
Stipends or pay to individuals including research assistants.
Food or alcohol (with or without travel).
Baggage fees, change fees, upgrades, room service, rental cars, taxis, Uber (or similar).
Classes/events earning course credit – This is the most common request denied funding (i.e. study abroad programs, books for classes, or school equipment).

8. Financial Limits
A student may submit one application per funding cycle (Three cycles per academic year: Fall, Spring, Summer).
The maximum support a student can receive for travel expenses is $500 for in-state travel, $1,000 for domestic (within the contiguous 48 states), and $1,500 for international activities.
The maximum support a student can receive per academic year (all activities combined) is $1500.
The academic year is defined as Fall through Summer.

9. How do I apply?
Complete the digital form found at the Graduate Council Website: eCouncil

10. Application Tips THOROUGH DOCUMENTATION
Screenshots of travel itinerary
Conference registration receipts
Proof of purchase(s) by student submitting application (3rd-party purchases are not eligible).
Graduate-level effort is expected. Don’t throw out a lot of information and expect the Council to sift through it for you.
Provide high quality documents, follow the application guidelines, and present thoughtful writing.
Application and guidelines can be found at the Graduate Council Website.
Organization and Presentation matter!
Examples of applications can be found here:

11. Application Tips (cont’d)
Ensure your application shows how the funding will enrich your SMU experience and/or is related to your studies.
Explain how the funding helps you reach your academic/professional goals?
Show us the passion you have for the subjects that interest you!
Read and then re-read the Policies and Procedures. They are the best help available.

12. Application Deadlines
Fall 2016: August 29 – September 11, 2016
Spring 2017 and Summer 2017: TBD
Cycles usually start at the beginning of the semester.
Remember the Academic Year is defined as Fall through Summer.

13. Just Added!
Group Application – We have recently added a group application where 3 or more students can apply to attend the same event on the same application instead of submitting 3 (or more) separate applications.
Try to find other students who are interested in the same subjects/events!
When applying, please list all the members of the group.
Individual limits still apply and cannot be combined.

14. DISCLAIMER
Council representatives cannot help create an application, look at an application beforehand, or guarantee approval. The burden is on you.
The process is designed to be competitive. You are competing with every other graduate or Ph.D student who submits for funding and not all funding is approved.
No means no. You can resubmit for the same event only once and decisions are final. Berating your representative or department head will not help.

15. GOOD LUCK!!!