Honors Educational Enhancement Scholarship (HEES)

In addition to the tuition scholarship, students in the Honors Program at Clarkson University are eligible for the Honors Educational Enhancement Scholarship which provides up to $2,000 for scholarly and professional development activities outside of the classroom. HEES supports “high impact” experiences such as study abroad, service learning, research and creative work, unpaid internships, conference participation, and professional training. The goal of HEES is to help students to apply classroom knowledge and develop skills in “real world” undertakings that advance educational goals and/or career goals. HEES is for optional enhancement opportunities and is not intended to be used for tuition, books, fees, or other costs related directly to required academic course work. 

Students in good standing in the Honors Program can apply for up to $1,000 per academic year (July 1 to June 30) to cover the cost of approved activities and up to a total of $2,000 over their tenure in the Honors Program. Please note that students admitted after the first year are eligible for a pro-rated portion of funds, such that sophomore admits may receive a total of up to $1,500 and juniors up to $1,000.

Students must apply for funding and receive approval for all expenses before they are incurred (in other words, there are no retroactive applications). We prefer to issue reimbursements of expenses after the activity, but if necessary you may apply for an advance. In either case, itemized receipts must be submitted for all expenses exceeding $75 and awardees must meet all reporting requirements. Failure to meet reporting requirements may jeopardize eligibility for future awards.

The Honors Program recommends that students seek alternative and/or supplemental sources of funding for their educational enhancement opportunities in order to make these funds go further. For example, academic departments and honors societies will often provide some support for travel to conferences, and splitting the cost between multiple sources can be very effective in stretching the funding available.

Start Your HEES Application

Eligibility

Applicants and awardees must be in good standing in the Honors Program.  First year Honors students can apply beginning in the spring semester, with the exception of both “Dualies” and “fast-track” admits from the Clarkson School who are not eligible until the fall semester of their sophomore year. Funding is not available for activities that begin after graduation from the Honors Program, except for travel to conferences to present work done as part of an Honors thesis.

HEES represents an investment by Clarkson in your scholarly and professional development, and may not be used for other activities. The following includes examples of enhancement opportunities eligible for HEES:

  • Supplies, materials and travel expenses involved in approved research, scholarship, and artistic activities
  • Travel and room/board for unpaid international or domestic internships
  • Participation in academic conferences*
  • Fees and travel expenses for study abroad and exchange programs or NCHC programs such as Partners in the Parks
  • Study abroad fees and travel expenses (not tuition) for any of the following:
  • Semester Exchange Program: a full semester at one of our partner schools
  • Global Business Program: a two to four week faculty led trip (UNIV 399)
  • Canadian Studies Program: Introduction to Canada course (UNIV 267)
  • International or domestic service learning trips (UNIV 349)
  • External pre-approved programs open to all full-time students

Examples of ineligible expenses include:

  • Laboratory equipment or other items real property (greater than $75 in value) that would be owned by a faculty member
  • Personal equipment purchases such as iPods, digital cameras, computers, software or any real property not research related that would be owned by the student
  • Travel for personal reasons, recreation, or other activity not directly related to professional development
  • Travel or other expense for religiously affiliated mission trips or political activities
  • Social fraternity/sorority conventions and events
  • Tuition payments for credit-bearing courses
  • Application fees for graduate/professional school
  • Travel to interviews for jobs or graduate school/professional school
  • Fees for study materials and exams for professional certifications
  • Fees for workshops, study materials, or exams related to professional school and graduate school entrance or employment certification (e.g. MCAT, GRE, PE)
*You may apply for funding to attend one approved academic conference even if you are participating only as an observer. A second conference may be funded only if you listed as a presenter in the conference program.

Applications

You must complete the application form and receive approval in order to receive funding.  Applications are due on the last Friday of each month during the semester (excluding May) and they are reviewed at the mid-monthly meetings of the HEES Awards Committee, September-November and January-April.  During the summer, the HEES Award Committee will meet as needed to consider applications exclusively for students participating in the Honors Summer Research Program.

The application form asks students to provide biographical information, explain the activity, obtain the support of a faculty member and/or academic advisor, outline their budgetary needs, and describe how they will share insights from their experience with the campus community. 

Start Your HEES Application