Scholarships
Performance Test Scholarship
The number of scholarships able to be awarded may change depending on the financial stability of WisRID. Each scholarship will cover the fees for taking a performance test excluding additional charges for out-of-state or non-member rate. Candidates are asked if they are receiving additional assistance for the exam to indicate the amount and the amount remaining would then be covered by this scholarship. Candidates can only receive one performance test scholarship per calendar year. If a candidate applies for the first deadline and is not selected as a scholarship recipient, then he/she may reapply for the second deadline. Recipients that have not received a scholarship in the past calendar year will get priority.
Applications are accepted annually and must be submitted online by 5pm on February 15th and July 15th.
The following exams will be supported by this scholarship
Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA)
National Interpreter Certification (NIC), CASLI Performance
Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI) Performance Exams
Qualified Mental Health Interpreter Exams (QMHI) - Written Only
Certified Deaf Interpreter Exam (CDI)
The following exams will not be supported by this scholarship
NIC written
EIPA written
BEI Test of English Profeiciency (TEP)
All written exams are excluded from this scholarship, with the exception of QMHI exam.
Applications are accepted annually and must be submitted online by 5pm on February 15th and July 15th.
Application Materials:
All applications must include the following items and be submitted online:
•General Scholarship Application Form (Click "Apply Now" to access this application)
•Letter of intent:
o The letter must:
o Explain why the candidate is qualified to receive the scholarship
o Emphasize educational background, interpreting experience, and any involvement with WisRID and RID
o Identify the test for which the candidate is applying
o Be a formal letter of intent, spelling and grammar will be rated
• Letter of Recommendation
o One (1) letter of recommendation from an interpreter who is currently working in the field and has a minimum of 3 years interpreting experience OR a Deaf consumer. The Letter of recommendation cannot be written by a relative or employee of a formally established interpreter training program. Letter of recommendation must be submitted by the applicant along with other application materials.
•Video Recommendations
o Videos in ASL are allowed to be submitted in lieu of a written letter of recommendation.
o Videos must be no more than four (4) minutes in length. Video link must be submitted by applicant along with other application materials.
Candidates must submit a signed Proof of Test Completion form by the testing administrator, such as the LTA, to the Performance Test Scholarship Coordinator. Voucher will only reimburse a candidate for the test on their scholarship application. The candidate does not have to pass the test to receive reimbursement.
Scholarship recipients will receive an award letter along with a voucher. All vouchers must be used within one (1) year after date of award letter. Persons who fail to redeem their scholarship voucher within one (1) year forfeit their scholarship, Vouchers can be redeemed by submitting them to the WisRID Treasurer along with proof of payment.
Student Initiative Scholarship
Each scholarship will be $500 or determined by WisRID board depending on WisRID financial stability. Scholarship to be awarded 3 times annually, award period to align with typical school terms (fall, spring, summer). There will be one scholarship awarded for each scholarship period unless determined by the WisRID board, based on financial stability, to award additional applicants. Each scholarship will be awarded to assist a student currently enrolled at a formally established Interpreter Training Program and accepted into the Interpreter Training Program OR taking prerequisite coursework for the Interpreter Training Program at time of application. Students will only be awarded one Student Initiative Scholarship per academic year. If a student applies and is not selected as the recipient for that term, they may reapply for this scholarship during that same academic year. Students who have not received the Student Initiative Scholarship will be given priority.
Deadlines: Fall: August 20th at 5pm
Spring: January 2nd at 5pm
Summer: May 25th at 5pm
All applicants must: be
-A Student member of WisRID for minimum 30 days prior to application
-Enrolled at a school with a formally established Interpreter Training Program and accepted into the Interpreter Training Program OR taking prerequisite coursework for the Interpreter Training Program at time of application
All applications must include the following information items and be submitted online:
-Name of institution currently attending
-Campus identification number
-A letter of intent
Explain why the student is qualified to receive the scholarship and outline financial need if applicable.
Emphasize experience in the Deaf and interpreting communities and any involvement with WisRID and/or RID if applicable.
Be a formal letter of intent, spelling and grammar will be rated.
-Transcripts to show related coursework (unofficial or official transcripts will be accepted)
Upon award, student(s) will receive a scholarship certificate, funds will be sent directly to the school of the applicant.
Leo Dicker Memorial Fund
The Leo Dicker Memorial Fund is available to all Voting, Associate, and Student members seeking assistance with general professional development or mentoring costs. Submit your request to the Leo Dicker Memorial Fund Coordinator one month or more prior to the beginning date for the class, workshop, etc. you would like to participate in. Requests can be made for up to half of the actual registration cost and up to half of your travel expenses (lodging and food not included) . The actual amount awarded to each recipient will depend on the amount of funds available and the number of applicants for a given year.
The Scholarship Review Group will consider the merits of your request as well as the current solvency of the fund and make the recommendation to the board to either award or decline funds or partial funds accordingly.
Send application packet to the Leo Dicker Memorial Fund Coordinator at [email protected].
Recipients will be responsible to pay the difference between the funds awarded and the cost of the activity. Only one (1) grant will be awarded per member per year.
Scholarship recipients will receive an award letter along with a voucher. All vouchers must be used within one (1) year after date of award letter. Persons who fail to redeem their scholarship voucher within one (1) year forfeit their scholarship, Vouchers can be redeemed by submitting them to the WisRID Treasurer along with proof of payment.
Hedy Miller Memorial Fund
The Hedy Miller Memorial Fund is available to Voting, Associate, and Student members seeking assistance with professional development or mentoring costs relating to legal or religious interpreting. Submit your request to the Hedy Miller Memorial Fund Coordinator one month or more prior to the beginning date for the class, workshop, etc. you would like to participate in. Requests can be made for up to half of the actual registration cost and up to half of your travel expenses (lodging and food not included) . The actual amount awarded to each recipient will depend on the amount of funds available and the number of applicants for a given year.
The Scholarship Review Group will consider the merits of your request as well as the current solvency of the fund and make the recommendation to the board to either award or decline funds or partial funds accordingly.
Send application packet to the Hedy Miller Memorial Fund Coordinator at [email protected]
Recipients will be responsible to pay the difference between the funds awarded and the cost of the activity. Only one (1) grant will be awarded per member per year.
Scholarship recipients will receive an award letter along with a voucher. All vouchers must be used within one (1) year after date of award letter. Persons who fail to redeem their scholarship voucher within one (1) year forfeit their scholarship, Vouchers can be redeemed by submitting them to the WisRID Treasurer along with proof of payment.