CPS Scholars Program
Supported through philanthropic funds, the CPS Scholars Program provides paid assistantship opportunities for undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students within the College of Professional Studies. Students who conduct supervised, faculty-led, and supported Research, Scholarship, and/or Creative Activities (RSCA) under a faculty sponsor's supervision may apply to receive compensation for their assistantship.
Every funding cycle, there are ten (10) $500 awards available. Each CPS Scholars award is equivalent to approximately 31 hours of employment in the RSCA endeavor.
Peruse our Frequently Asked Questions below for more information on the CPS Scholars program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an assistantship?
What is an assistantship?
An assistantship is an academic position involving Research, Scholarship, or other Creative Activities conducted under the guidance of a faculty sponsor. An assistantship includes employment compensation for up to $500 each funding cycle. The CPS Scholars Program supports transformational experiences that enable students to work under the direct supervision of faculty on research, scholarship, and creative activity endeavors (not limited to faculty RSCA grants) and participate in related professional development opportunities.
What are examples of qualifying activities?
What are examples of qualifying activities?
Research activities can look like
- Writing an IRB Application or a grant proposal,
- Creating and distributing a survey,
- Collecting data,
- Reviewing/synthesizing/writing a summary of literature related to a specific discipline,
- Transcription,
- And more!
Teaching activities can look like
- Preparing materials for lecture/discussion/activity/lab,
- Preparing lesson plans,
- Holding special out-of-class workshop related to a specific topic and/or discipline,
- Holding office hours for a specific class,
- And more!
Creative activities can look like
- Coordinating a project or event,
- Developing project or event materials,
- Providing outreach for various programs,
- And so much more!
What is the role of the faculty sponsor?
What is the role of the faculty sponsor?
The faculty sponsor is integral to the success of the CPS Scholars Program. The Faculty Sponsor functions as the direct supervisor and an academic mentor to their CPS Scholar. The Faculty Sponsor is responsible for the following:
- Supporting students in making connections between the RSCA endeavor, disciplinary skills, and the student's professional goals
- Conducting regular meetings with the CPS Scholar to discuss project objectives, goals, and plans
- Monitoring student progress throughout the duration of the award and being responsive to student needs throughout the experience
- Completing the CPS Scholars Symposium form within two weeks of the end of the RSCA endeavor.
How and when to apply?
How and when to apply?
- Confirm your participation and support from your faculty sponsor.
- To submit a complete application go to the CPS Scholars Program Application page. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all funds are allocated.
- Upon acceptance into the program, the CPS Dean's Office will initiate the process of appointing the recipient into a student assistant role in partnership with your faculty sponsor. This step will require you to fill out and submit a packet of Human Resources documents. You may not begin work until you have been notified that these documents have been processed. The processing of these documents may take up to 2 weeks from the moment you submit them to Human Resources.
- Once the student assistant appointment is completed, the partnership can begin!
Who is eligible?
Who is eligible?
- Open to all undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students currently enrolled in a program within the College of Professional Studies.
- Must be sponsored by a College of Professional Studies faculty member.
- Students may only apply for one assistantship award per award cycle.
- Faculty may sponsor up to three (3) students per award cycle.
- Participation in the CPS Scholars Symposium is recommended. Eligibility for future CPS Scholars funding is contingent upon the faculty sponsor's submission.
What to focus on?
What to focus on?
When reviewing applications, the CPS Dean's Office will pay close attention to the following:
- The enrichment of your disciplinary learning and professional development.
- The impact of the project's activities on your professional, scholarly, and personal goals and success.
- The clarity of the scope of work.
Be sure to prepare your responses with your proposed faculty sponsor!
Eligible applicants with complete applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all funds are allocated.
When will I be notified if my proposal is accepted?
When will I be notified if my proposal is accepted?
When will I get paid for my assistantship?
When will I get paid for my assistantship?
Upon receiving and approving your completed application, the CPS dean's office will work with the University Human Resources department to officially appoint you as a student assistant. Allow a couple of weeks for receiving, filling out, submitting, and processing of your appointment documents. After you have been officially appointed, you will submit the hours worked via PeopleSoft HR Center and will be paid in accordance with the most recent Payroll calendar. More information on submitting your timesheet can be found on the Student Time Reporting page.
How long does it take to complete the assistantship?
How long does it take to complete the assistantship?
The project length and scope of work are determined by you and your faculty sponsor.
Each academic year has two application/funding cycles:
- September-January
- February- July
Each CPS Scholars award is equivalent to approximately 31 hours of employment in the RSCA endeavor.
What is the CPS Scholars Symposium?
What is the CPS Scholars Symposium?
In an effort to enhance the visibility of the CPS Scholars' partnerships, celebrate our brilliant students, and showcase what CPS does best, we have decided to invite students to share their Scholars' experiences using multiple modalities that truly reflect what they gained and inspire future partnerships.
When is the CPS Scholars Symposium submission due?
When is the CPS Scholars Symposium submission due?
Your faculty sponsors should complete the proposal submission form within two weeks of your completion of the RSCA assistantship and no later than February 14th, 2024.
In order to be considered for future funding, the final report must be submitted no later than two weeks before the next funding cycle.
Faculty sponsors: submit student work to be considered for the CPS Scholars Symposium here.
Will I be able to apply for multiple funding cycles?
Will I be able to apply for multiple funding cycles?
Yes! As long as you are an enrolled CPS student and the funding for the program is available, you are eligible to apply in the future!