To increase awareness of and interest in the wholesale, specialty and surplus lines industry, the WSIA Talent Advocacy and Engagement Foundation is providing financial support for undergraduate U.S. students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), or underrepresented students from other universities, to attend an Extreme Risk Takers Symposium. The symposiums include a career fair, networking opportunities, and educational sessions.
The grant includes complimentary symposium registration, designated symposium meals, and one night of shared hotel accommodations for students attending from the same college. Up to $500 per student is available primarily to help offset transportation expenses, including mileage reimbursement, group van rental, or airfare. Lunch while traveling on Thursday or Friday may also be reimbursed up to $25 per meal within the $500 grant maximum. Any additional meals or personal expenses will be the student’s responsibility. Ten grants can be awarded per symposium. The 2026 - 2027 symposiums are:
ATLANTA, GA - Grants have already been awarded for this symposium. If you would still like to attend without a grant, the cost is just $25, and there is a reduced hotel rate of $100. You can register here.
The grant includes complimentary symposium registration, designated symposium meals, and one night of shared hotel accommodations for students attending from the same college. Up to $500 per student is available primarily to help offset transportation expenses, including mileage reimbursement, group van rental, or airfare. Lunch while traveling on Thursday or Friday may also be reimbursed up to $25 per meal within the $500 grant maximum. Any additional meals or personal expenses will be the student’s responsibility. Ten grants can be awarded per symposium. The 2026 - 2027 symposiums are:
ATLANTA, GA - Grants have already been awarded for this symposium. If you would still like to attend without a grant, the cost is just $25, and there is a reduced hotel rate of $100. You can register here.
Thursday, November 5 (starting at 1:30 p.m. ET) and Friday, November 6 (ending at 12:00 p.m. ET)
The Westin Buckhead Atlanta
The Westin Buckhead Atlanta
LAS VEGAS, NV
Thursday, March 4 (starting at 1:30 p.m. PT) and Friday, March 5 (ending at 12:00 p.m. PT)
Embassy Suites Las Vegas Convention Center
Embassy Suites Las Vegas Convention Center
(Grant application deadline: February 1)
CHICAGO, IL
Thursday, April 1 (starting at 1:30 p.m. CT) and Friday, April 2 (ending at 12:00 p.m. CT)
The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago
(Grant application deadline: March 1)
CHICAGO, IL
Thursday, April 1 (starting at 1:30 p.m. CT) and Friday, April 2 (ending at 12:00 p.m. CT)
The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago
(Grant application deadline: March 1)
NOTE:
- Complete and submit this form below to be considered for this grant. Students should submit an individual grant request, but can indicate on the second page if they are traveling with a group coming together and would need travel expenses covered as a group, such as for mileage reimbursement for a car or van, rather than a flight.
- If a faculty member would like to attend with students, they can contact Denise Marshall at denise@wsia.org. Although this grant does not cover travel and meals for faculty, registration is waived and WSIA will reserve and pay for one night's hotel stay at the symposium hotel.
- Students receiving grants must be in attendance for the full program on both days. (Program ends on the second day at 12:00 p.m. local time.)
- Students must confirm that they are currently authorized to work in the U.S. and will not now, nor in the future, require sponsorship for an employment-based visa status.
For the latest information on the symposium schedules, click here to go to the symposium web page. If you have any questions, please contact Denise Marshall, denise@wsia.org.