Honors Development Grant (HDG)

Current MHC scholars who are good standing and are making satisfactory progress in the MHC curriculum are eligible to apply.

Note 1: Students who are on warning but not dismissed from the MHC may still apply, however, students in good standing will be given priority.

Note 2: Should a student choose to withdraw from the Mahurin Honors College (MHC) the MHC reserves the right to rescind any financial awards or funding previously granted in connection with their participation in the program.

All requests must fall within standard WKU budget policies.

Examples of approved uses:

• tangible items such as equipment or materials to be used for research or other academic endeavors **
• documentable travel expenses to support CE/T research or to present at a professional conference.
• expenses related to travel to an internship with substantial unmet costs.
• Study away (a National Student Exchange program or WKU faculty-led program in the USA)

Notes:

• **The MHC reserves the right to request two or more price quotes be obtained prior to purchase.
• **All purchased items become the property of WKU & MHC.

 Examples of prohibited uses:

• membership dues
• subscriptions
• living expenses
• tuition
• computers

The Honors Development Board (HDB) weighs the number of applications, the available funds and the strength of each application.  

A strong application:

1. clearly articulates how the funding will contribute to intellectual and professional development, course of study, and/or research goals,
2. provides a detailed budget, and,
3. if appropriate, specifies additional funding being sought from other sources.

In addition to these criteria, the scholar's GPA, honors curriculum progress, and financial need are considered. 

More information on the Honors Development Board may be found on the HDB page.

The Honors Development Board prioritizes educational experiences that that significantly contribute to an MHC scholar’s intellectual development, course of study and/or research goals. 

Highest Priority to Lowest Priority:

• Intensive, domestic, credit-bearing language program or study away program
• CE/T Research (up to $1,000)
• Individual expense for an academic conference related to honors coursework when scholar is presenting CE/T presentation at a conference (up to $750)
• Expenses related to a class-based project that produces a product (i.e., honors augmentation contract). Or, individual expenses for a faculty-led field trip/conference related to honors coursework when the scholar is not presenting (up to $500)
• Conference attendance connected to a class (not presenting) (registration cost)

The Honors Development Board will review applications between the dates listed below, as funding allows. 

• August 1 - October 1: winter and spring programs
• November 15 - February 15: summer programs
• January 1 - March 1: fall and full academic year programs

Applications received after these dates will be reviewed as funding allows.

Upon approval, recipients are notified by email. The approval process takes up to a month after the deadline. 

The HDG award letter details how scholars can access funds either to reimburse expenses (as in the case of travel) or to pay an invoice.

All receipts must be provided within 30 days of purchase.  After the 30-day deadline, funds will not be issued.

The HDG application should be submitted and approved prior to any purchases. While certain purchases may have to be made prior to approval; the MHC is not obligated to fund any unapproved purchases.

Scholars who were awarded HDG funding are expected to do the following:

• Submit photos and a brief reflection of the HDGs impact;
• Successfully complete the MHC curriculum;
• Meet with an MHC advisor each semester; and
• Write a substantial thank you letter to donors for any private funds received. 

Requirement 1: Photos & Thank You Letter

• • Photos: Select three to five photos that capture representative moments of the HDG-supported experience (scholar conducting research, traveling, doing fieldwork, delivering a paper, working with colleagues or mentors, visiting a unique destination, etc.). In a separate word document please describe the location and people appearing in each photo. 
  • Thank You Letter: In a separate word document, formatted as a business letter, describe why was this opportunity was important to your intellectual and personal growth and/or research.

Submit your photos, Word documents, and reflection essay by completing this form within a month of the conclusion of your HDG-supported project. Failure to submit these required materials may affect your eligibility for future funding from the MHC. Be aware that the photos and information you submit will become the property of the MHC and may be used in online or print publications.