'Yay!' For Money That I Don't Have to Pay Back!

So as I mentioned in passing in a Facebook status last week, I have received one of the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) Study Abroad Stipends! The money will be counted directly towards my trip and will knock off a considerable chunk of what I will need to take out in student loans.

Interestingly, my major isn't considered a part of CAS - I belong to the College of Education & Professional Studies (COEPS). However, because I am secondary education, my emphasis is Art, and the art department is a part of CAS, I was eligible.

Also, I work for the Dean's Office of CAS. So after the submission deadline was closed, I was responsible for organizing, making copies, and filing the other submissions. It was interesting to experience the application process all the way through - from writing the application to processing it. Of course, my favorite part of the process though, was receiving the stipend itself. ^-^!

On a side note, our tour leader has sent out an email today to start some of the final preparations for the trip, including organizing meeting points at Minneapolis/St. Paul and JFK. The countdown has begun!