IMPORTANT NOTE: ALL 20 OF THE SPRING 2026 SYMPOSIUM GRANTS HAVE BEEN AWARDED. IN AUGUST, WE WILL OPEN THE GRANT FORM FOR THE ATLANTA SYMPOSIUM ON NOVEMBER 5 AND 6. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN OUR PROGRAMS!


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.

These grants provide free event registration with some food included, one night's shared hotel room for students coming from the same college, a maximum of $500 per student for travel (mileage reimbursement for personal car, van rental for a group of students, or flight booked via our WSIA travel agent; meals not included while traveling on the days of the symposium). Up to 10 grants can be awarded per symposium. The 2025 - 2026 symposiums are:

LAS VEGAS, NV
Thursday, February 26 (starting at 1:30 p.m.) and Friday, February 27 (ending at 12:00 p.m.)
UNLV and the Embassy Suites Las Vegas
Grant application deadline January 29, 2026.

CLOSED - ALL GRANTS HAVE BEEN AWARDED.

CHICAGO, IL
Thursday, March 26 (starting at 1:30 p.m.) and Friday, March 27 (ending at 12:00 p.m.)
The Westin Chicago River North
Grant application deadline: February 26, 2026.

CLOSED - ALL GRANTS HAVE BEEN AWARDED.

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.
  • 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.

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* Student First and Last Name

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* Email Address

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* Phone Number

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* College Name:

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* Academic Major and Minor (if applicable)

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* Classification (year in school)
(Note: for undergraduate students only)

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* I confirm that I am currently authorized to work in the U.S. and will not now nor in the future require sponsorship for an employment-based visa status.

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* I confirm and understand that I need to be present for the entire symposium schedule on both days in order to receive this grant.

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* Which symposium do you wish to attend?

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* City Where Student Will Be Traveling From:

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