Real World Learning Awards

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Alvernia offers Real-World Learning Awards to financially assist students for a variety of experiential opportunities, without reducing the amount of financial aid a student already has been awarded.

Launched in 2016, these competitive awards support student participation in:

Internships (see policy for more information)
Faculty/staff-led study abroad programs
Alternative Breaks
Undergraduate research (for non SURF participants)

Award amounts vary based on type of experience. All students are welcome to apply. With limited funds available, students will be reviewed on a first come first serve basis and priority will be given to students that have not accessed this fund before.

Applications will be evaluated on a variety of criteria, including academic performance, extra/co-curricular involvement at ��ֱ��, and the degrees to which the proposed experiences will add to a student's progress toward fulfilling our mutual mission to become:

"Broadly educated, life-long learners; Reflective professionals and engaged citizens; And ethical leaders with moral courage."

The Real World Learning Award is intended to assist students with expenses related to experiences such as study abroad, study away, alternative breaks, non-SURF related research, internships, and academic conferences. The following is a list of items deemed appropriate for reimbursement by the Real World Learning Committee. This list is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather a guide to help determine eligible expenses.

Program Fees

*Proof of registration and/or receipt required

Study abroad, study away, program or conference registration which may include program participation, lodging, travel or other expenses.

Travel Expenses

*All receipts are required for reimbursement

Airline tickets – (If flying independently and not participating in an ��ֱ�� sponsored trip) Paper or e-ticket receipts/invoices must contain the following: Passenger Name, Date(s) of Travel; Origin/Destination of Travel; Fare Basis (economy or coach is required), Ticket Amount, Ticket Number, & Credit Card Number charged. Please note that a credit card statement or receipt alone is not sufficient documentation to support airfare expenses.
Taxi/Uber/LYFT fares - tips must be noted on the receipt for reimbursement
Rental car for travel over 50 miles round trip
Public transportation including bus, train, subway, or metro pass
The use of a parking garage or metered parking
Gas mileage will be reimbursed when necessary. Applicants must submit an expense report for mileage, as well as, a travel map of their trip.

Meals

*All receipts are required for reimbursement

When meals are not prearranged or provided by an ��ֱ�� sponsored trip, reasonably priced meals will be reimbursed -tips must be indicated on the receipt for reimbursement
Alvernia will not reimburse for alcoholic beverages

Accommodations

*All receipts are required for reimbursement

When lodging is not prearranged or provided by an ��ֱ�� sponsored trip, the student should use sound judgment to obtain accommodations at a reasonable rate and are encouraged to share rooms when appropriate
Lodging expenses shall be reimbursed for basic room rate and applicable taxes
Incidental charges to the room, such as room service, movies, internet charges, and other additional service will not be reimbursed

Miscellaneous Supplies

*All receipts are required for reimbursement

Supplies related to research that are required for the student to conduct and collect experiment results. Examples include but are not limited to: specialized equipment and tools, chemicals, and external lab review of samples

Prohibited Reimbursement

Alcohol and controlled substances
Fines for parking or traffic violations
Charges resulting in a traveler’s failure to cancel guaranteed reservations
Personal purchases or services
Expenses incurred by family members, travel companions, or others who accompany student on travel
Wages lost or unearned as a result of participation in an ��ֱ�� Real World Experience