AIMHO 2005 Conference Scholarships Available! - By Sue Bellati, Northern Arizona University

In the early part of November, the association and its members will be gathering at the 51^st annual AIMHO conference.  The setting for our conference is Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a place graced by the backdrop of the Grand Teton mountains.  The AIMHO conference offers a time for each of us to share in the synergy of the work we do in housing with a group of talented and dedicated colleagues from within the region.  The camaraderie is something that is difficult to beat anywhere else within our profession.

As conference plans are being made by individuals and institutions, I wanted to share with you information about various scholarships offered through AIMHO for potential funding assistance.  These scholarships are an excellent way to introduce new professionals to the association, as well as welcome back institutions that have been unable to attend the conference during the past years.

Dick Daines Memorial Scholarship - A $250.00 scholarship is awarded to a new professional in Apartment/Family Housing who has not previously attended an AIMHO conference.  (A “new professional” is defined as anyone who has worked in a housing position for three years or less.)  The recipient of this scholarship could opt to use these funds for the ACUHO-I Apartments Conference if desired.  They would be asked to submit an article to the AIMHO newsletter about that experience.

Dallan Sanders Memorial Scholarship - A $250.00 scholarship is awarded to a new professional in Housing who has not previously attended an AIMHO conference.  (A “new professional” is defined as anyone who has worked in a housing position for three years or less.) 

Small School Registration Scholarship - A waiver of one registration fee and one night’s lodging at the AIMHO conference is offered through this scholarship.  The AIMHO organization has defined a “small school” as being one whose housing program accommodates 1-1000 students on the campus of the applicant.

New Member/Non-Attending Member Scholarship - A $600.00 scholarship is awarded to a new member school who has joined AIMHO in the two previous years, or to a school who has been a member but unable to attend the annual conference for the past three years.

AIMHO College Scholarship - Limited funds are available to assist in offsetting the cost of attendance at the AIMHO College.  Only those individuals who are selected to attend the AIMHO College, and who submit a scholarship application will be considered for these scholarship funds.

Information on these scholarships and the on-line application can be found on the AIMHO website at www.aimho.org.  Look for a blue pop-up screen that will navigate you to the scholarship link.  Take a moment to review the scholarship criteria and think about submitting an application.  You may want to share this information with all of your colleagues attending the upcoming conference as well.  The deadline for applying for a scholarship is October 10, 2005. 

The theme for AIMHO 2005 is “Reaching New Heights Together”.  I am confident that through your participation in the programs, the dialogue sessions, and the informal time spent among colleagues within the profession, you will return from the conference rejuvenated and passionate about the work you are doing on behalf of your residential students.