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Student Resources

Whether you’re a prospective or current student, there are many resources to learn more about ways to succeed and get involved.

Capstone Manual (PDF): The Counselor Education Department Capstone Project Manual provides an overview of CE 695 Capstone Project. The manual includes the description of the project, its requirements, a writing format, grading rubric, and APA style resources.

Counseling Careers: Learn more information about Counseling Careers and their job outlooks and average salaries.

Counseling Scholarship (PDF): Scholarships are one way to aid in financing your education. The Gaylia Borror Advocacy in Action Scholarship is a WSU Foundation scholarship available to eligible students enrolled in a Counselor Education program.

Counselor Education Minority Student Scholarship (PDF): The Counselor Education Department (CED) strives for excellence in diversity. The scholarship is established to financially support underrepresented students due to their race, ethnicity, sexuality, or physical disability in the CED at WSU.

Forms: Explore the forms that are utilized by students within the Counselor Education Department.

Graduate Assistantships: WSU offers many opportunities to serve as a Graduate Assistant. When you serve as a degree seeking GA you can earn up to $10,000 a year in compensation plus full tuition for 6 to 9 graduate credits per semester.

Handbook (PDF): The Counselor Education Program Handbook gives current students an in-depth overview of the Counselor Education program. The handbook includes information on the department's mission and goals, different program options, admission information, financial information and more.
2016-2017 Handbook (PDF)
2015-2016 Handbook (PDF)
2014-2015 Handbook (PDF)

Loan Forgiveness and Repayment Programs: The Minnesota Department of Health provides information about Minnesota Loan Forgiveness and Repayment Programs. The US Department of Health & Human Services also provides information about a Loan Repayment Program.

Professional Identity Development (PID) Grant

Grant Origins: The Counselor Education Department at Winona State University is proud to have received one of three 2011 National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Professional Identity Awards. This national recognition signifies the faculty’s excellence in and commitment to promoting counselor professional identity.
Counselor Education (CE) program students who attend or present at local, regional, or national counseling conferences or workshops may apply for a Professional Identity Development (PID) Grant. The PID Grant functions to reimburse students for conference/workshop registration and related expenses. Levels of funding include:

Local/Regional Conferences:

  • $200 maximum for presenting/attending
  • $150 maximum for attending only

National Conferences:

  • $350 maximum for presenting/attending
  • $300 for attending only

Eligibility:

  • Deadlines for submitting PID Grant application and all expense related documentation must be met to qualify for reimbursement of expenses (see Application Process)
  • PID Grant applicants must be formally admitted to the CE Program and currently enrolled in CE courses on part-time or full-time basis (students enrolled in CE courses with Graduate Special status are not eligible)
  • Conference or workshop attended must be sponsored by state or national counseling association, and/or be approved by the CE Department (see recommended conferences below)

Recommended Conferences Include

  • American Counseling Association (ACA) Annual Conference
  • American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Annual Conference
  • Minnesota Counseling Association (MNCA) Annual Conference
  • Minnesota School Counselors Association (MSCA) Annual Conference
  • Wisconsin Counseling Association (WCA) Annual Conference
  • Wisconsin School Counselors Association (WSCA)
  • Other local, regional, and national counseling workshops/conferences approved by CE Department faculty

PID Grant Application Process
To qualify for the PID Grant, the following steps must be followed within the designated timeframes:

  1. Students must submit all documentation at least 10 business days prior to travel and/or conference attendance. For example, the conference is during Oct. 7 and 8. You are traveling on Oct. 6. You must submit all documentation by Sept. 22.
    a. Submission includes:
    i. Winona State University Counselor Education Professional Identity Development Grant Form. This form is located on the CED Website. Please submit this form to Dr. Heather Fye (HFye@winona.edu). Please direct questions related to this form to Dr. Fye.
    ii. WSU Travel Request Form. Several original signatures from faculty members in the College of Education are required. Therefore, please submit the paper form (PDF) (cannot be scanned, copied, or emailed) to Nadia Miranda in 132 Gildemeister Hall. Note: leave Cost Center field blank.
    iii. W-9 Form is required (social security number is required to be included on the form). This form must be submitted directly to the business office. This form allows the Business Office to reimburse you. You must complete this form to receive your reimbursement check. No exceptions as per state regulations!
  2. You will receive written notification of approval (and amount) or denial for the PID Grant Request.
  3. Within 5 days after completion of travel and/or conference attendance, submit the following documents to the WSU Business Office (Somsen Hall 106):
    i. WSU Student Reimbursement Form and original, itemized receipts:
    -The Student Reimbursement form requires the student’s original signature. Submit completed form (cannot be scanned, copied, or emailed) with an original signature and original receipts to Nadia Miranda in 132 Gildemeister Hall. Receipts include (but may not be limited to):
    -Conference registration payment original receipt(s)
    -Food and lodging original and itemized receipt(s) (no exceptions!)
    -Transportation/airfare receipt(s) (note: if using Uber, business card of driver must also be submitted)
    ii. Professional Identity Grant Reflection Paper: describe the following:
    -professional goals met by attending activity
    -description of conference or workshop
    -benefits of attending
    -plans for future activities. Please submit the following to Dr. Heather Fye (HFye@winona.edu). It can submitted email or in-person (132 Gildemeister Hall).

Reimbursement Guidelines (from WSU Business Office Website)
Note: This is only a guide and some policies differ from faculty travel. Please refer to the Business Office website for specific details.

Meals
Students are reimbursed for the actual cost of a meal not to exceed the maximum established in the applicable collective bargaining agreement or compensation plan (Bargaining Agreement/Compensation Plan).

Eligible meal reimbursement:

  • Breakfast - in travel status overnight or when the trip begins before 6am (not to exceed $9)
  • Lunch - in travel status and more than 35 miles from work station through the normal lunch period (not to exceed $11)
  • Dinner - in travel status overnight or when the trip ends after 7pm (not to exceed $16)

Mileage
Students are reimbursed for actual miles driven at the rates specified by the applicable collective bargaining agreement, compensation plan, or state statute. There are several rates used when reimbursing mileage for travel. The IRS sets a standard mileage rate and updates it periodically.

  • Mileage will be reimbursed for the shortest direct route from your home “work” location to your destination or your “residence”, whichever is shorter.
  • Requested but no State Vehicle was available – check current rate on the WSU Business Office website
  • Choose to drive your own vehicle – check current rate on the WSU Business Office website
  • Long distance driving reimbursement is limited to the lowest round trip airfare. Contact the Business Office for more details.

Lodging
Lodging facilities must be licensed. For one example, the use of AirB&B, VRBO and similar properties, are not reimbursable, as the license status is unable to be determined.

  • Your name must be on the original receive for lodging. If splitting the room rate, please make sure you have a receipt with your name on the split lodging cost.
  • Students must submit the itemized receipts for lodging showing the details and dates of charges.
  • Students must not accept any lodging benefits/rewards for their lodging. If rewards are connected or used for the lodging, WSU will not reimburse you. Review your receipt carefully to ensure no rewards are connected to the lodging receipt.

Other Expenses
Itemized receipts are required for all expenses. For example, parking, taxi, baggage, etc.

Expenses that do not qualify for reimbursement include:

  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Annual fees and interest for personal credit cards
  • Late payment fees or interest on state-issued corporate credit cards
  • Expenses of traveling companions or family members
  • Expenses related to vacation or personal days while traveling
  • Loss or theft of personal cash or property
  • Entertainment or amusement costs, movies, optional travel or baggage insurance, parking or traffic tickets, commuting mileage or costs, health/fitness club fees, towing/repairs of personal vehicles
  • Incomplete or incorrect reimbursement form

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