POLICIES FOR FACULTY DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
Tuition Grants
Full-Time Tuition Grants
The Faculty Development Committee, whose members the Associate Provost appoints, will meet (if necessary) and award a full-time tuition grant in the amount of 3,500 per semester. They can be awarded to one (1) or two (2) qualified faculty who are released from their teaching duties to work full-time on a terminal degree. Recipients cannot teach any courses while working on this grant. In order to be eligible for a faculty tuition grant, one must have been actively employed for twelve consecutive months (excluding summer months) prior to application.
To receive these grants, recipients must sign an obligation agreement that commits them to one year of continuous service to Mississippi Valley State for every two semesters funded. Continuous service requirements will not exceed six years. If recipient chooses not to return to the University, they will be required to repay at current interest rates, all salary and other funds extended for purpose of upgrading credentials.
Part-Time Tuition Grants
Part-time faculty tuition grants will be awarded each semester. Recipients will receive $2,000 for tuition and $500 for travel expenses. Grants will be given to no more than five (5) eligible faculty each semester, contingent upon availability of funds. (Tuition grants for summer semester will be awarded only if funds are still available.) In order to be eligible for a faculty tuition grant, one must have been actively employed for twelve consecutive months.
Faculty must complete a Tuition Grant Application, along with a relevancy statement that addresses how the degree or certificate will further develop their current position and discipline and enhance Mississippi Valley State University.
They must also sign an obligation agreement that commits them to one year of continuous service to Mississippi Valley State for every two semesters of University support, not to exceed four years. If a recipient chooses not to return to the University, they will be required to repay at current interest rates all salary and other funds expended for purpose of upgrading credentials.
Application must be made before August 15 for fall semesters and December 15 for spring semesters. To receive reimbursement, recipients must complete a remittance voucher and attach a zero balance tuition receipt. Reimbursement must be obtained within 30 days after the end of the semester
Recipients must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 for masters and doctoral levels of study. They must submit to the Office of Title III Programs and The Faculty Development Office a copy of their course schedules two weeks after classes begin and a copy of their transcripts thirty days after classes end.
The Faculty Development Committee will select applicants based on whether it strengthens their current service to the university, as well as their letter of purpose, the amount of time in the program, number of courses to complete degree, critical need of the degree, and cumulative GPA.
No courses can be taken during normal working days.
Any accomplishments received related to the grant, including workshops, seminars, readings, publications, degrees, and other related activities must acknowledge the support of the U.S. Department of Education, The Title 111-Part B Program, Mississippi Valley State University, and The Teaching and Learning Center. Documentation of any of these activities must be submitted for record keeping.
Travel Grants
Overview
Faculty travel grants support faculty travel to professional meetings, workshops & other professional development events.
The University will provide $1,000 to support faculty travel until all funds are exhausted. The University also encourages faculty travel to professional meetings, even though one is not presenting a paper, leading a roundtable discussion, or taking part in a poster session.
Eligibility
To receive a travel grant, faculty must have been employed at the University for twelve consecutive months. They must complete all application forms and submit all other forms as required by the University.
Procedures
Applications and any other important information can be obtained though the Faculty Development Office. The Faculty Development Committee will meet to review travel grant applications on the 15 of the month or the closest following business day or when time constraints demand immediate attention. Applications should be submitted along with a travel request, conference agenda, flight itinerary, hotel arrangements, and relevancy statement that explains how the conference will add to the applicant’s professional development and to the enhancement of the University.
Applicants will be notified once the application and proposal have been accepted or denied. If a proposal is accepted, recipients must submit a travel request form along with an application form and proposal. They will also need to include conference agenda, flight itinerary, and hotel information. (See Fiscal Affairs Handbook for the procedures, forms, and attachments that must be included.)
Upon their return, recipients will be reimbursed for their expenses after they submit the necessary forms. All forms must be submitted within 15 after they return. Travel vouchers, remittance vouchers, and/or requistion forms must include a conference agenda, travel itinerary, hotel receipts, airline receipts, and any other required receipts. If travel expenses exceed the $1,000 limit, any additional funds must come from another source.(See Fiscal Affairs Handbook for proper forms and other requirements.)
Recipients will also have to submit a final report to share with colleagues in a meeting or forum. The report may be given in the Faculty Development conference room or some other appointed place.
A faculty member can receive only one travel grant during the semester. Travel funds will be awarded on a first come first served basis until all funds are depleted. Funds will be frozen if half of available funds are spent before November 15. They will begin to be awarded again on January 15.
Any accomplishments received related to faculty development grants, including workshops, seminars, readings, publications, and other related activities, must acknowledge the support of the U.S. Department of Education, The Title III-Part B Program, Mississippi Valley State University, and The Teaching and Learning Center. Documentation of any of these activities must be submitted for record keeping.
Research Grants
Research grants of up to $5,000 are awarded in the spring semester. Faculty must complete an application form with all other necessary information as stated in the application form. The forms and supporting documents must be submitted on or before the given due date. Any stipend request must be limited to 35% or less of the total amount of the grant.
Recipients of research grants must submit a final report within thirty (30) days after the close of the grant period on September 1, and no grant will receive additional funding after September 1. No future consideration will be given to grant recipients who do not complete their reports.
The Title III Office will form a committee to consider applications. They will base their decisions on the feasibility of the project, a reasonable timeline, the innovative nature of the project, its contribution to professional development and field of study and on its contribution to the University. Applicants will not be eligible to receive a grant for one consecutive year.
Any accomplishments received related to the grant, including workshops, seminars, readings, publications, and other related activities must acknowledge the support of the U.S. Department of Education, The Title 111-Part B Program, Mississippi Valley State University, and The Center for Teaching and Learning. Documentation of any of these activities must be submitted for record keeping.
Processing Grants
Anyone receiving a grant must read and sign this document. All grants must have prior approval, which includes all required signatures, to receive funds. The Teaching and Learning Center will process all grants in a timely manner, but has no control over the amount of time other units take to process paper work. Faculty should be aware that the reimbursement process could take as long as thirty days, which is not uncommon for any college or university.
The Faculty Development Grants Committee will meet to determine which applications have the most merit. See above grant categories for criteria used to making decisions.