Professional Attire Grants

Professional Attire Grants are designed to help current second-, third-, and fourth-year Grinnell students acquire professional business attire for interviews or related activities (e.g., attending a professional conference, internships). Grant awards should primarily be used for purchasing attire, but students may also use funds for personal care items (e.g., hair cut/styling, hygiene products, cosmetics). At present, first-year students are not eligible. Professional Attire Grants will not be awarded to cover costs for attire already purchased. ​​​​​

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

In order to apply for a CLS Professional Attire Grant, you must be:

  • a current, degree-seeking second-, third-, or fourth-year student at Grinnell College; and
  • in good conduct standing.
  • For processing purposes, 5 p.m., November 22, 2024 is the last day applications will be considered from seniors graduating in December. Requirements must be completed by 5 p.m. December 2, 2024. The last day applications will be considered from seniors graduating in May 2025 is Friday, April 18 by 5 p.m. Requirements must be completed by 5 p.m., May 9, 2025 for processing to occur before commencement.

FUNDING AMOUNTS:

Funds will be awarded each semester on a rolling basis. Please note that one’s financial need level (as determined by the Financial Aid Office) will determine the amount of funding they are eligible to receive. The maximum amount of professional development funds a student may receive for attire—based on their level of financial need—will not exceed $300 over the course of their time at Grinnell College. Students may apply for professional development funds more than once (for different reasons). Students awarded a professional development grant will receive a lump-sum deposit into the bank account they have on file with the College. Recipients of funds will need to keep a detailed (itemized) expense report of attire purchased and return a digital upload of all original receipts. Additionally, recipients are required to write a brief reflection essay (typed) detailing their professional goals.

PROCESSING TIME:

Please note that it takes time to receive, review, and process these requests. If you are seeking funds to attend a conference or professional development program and the event is fewer than 15 business days from the date of submitting this form, the CLS may not be able to fully consider your request.

PAST DUE NOTICE:

If a student fails to complete the detailed requirements by the due date highlighted in their initial email notification, a PAST DUE email notice will be sent as a final reminder stating that all required documents must be received within five (5) days of the deadline. Depending on the student’s class year, the student may lose access to the following grants: professional attire, professional development, senior interview, summer internship, and CLS funded trips such as externships and treks and their student account may be charged the full amount of the grant received.

FREE PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE:

All students regardless of class year or financial need are invited to check out the Career Clothing Closet. We offer a wide range of grab-n-go gently used donated professional clothing ranging in sizes and formality. Donations come from alums, staff, faculty, and community members. To visit the Closet, please make a Career Clothing Closet appointment on Handshake.

*These grants are considered taxable income. For non-resident taxpayers, the Accounting Department will adjust the funds you are granted to cover the eventual tax to be paid.

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