WCRA Student Scholarship Program
WCRA STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
APPLY NOW!
Spring Convention scholarship submissions due by March 25, 2026.
Fall Convention scholarship submissions due by October 1, 2026.
WCRA WILL AWARD A SCHOLARSHIP AT EACH LEVEL TO STUDENTS OF AN NCRA-ACCREDITED INSTITUTION WHO IS ALSO A WCRA MEMBER.
-A $750 SCHOLARSHIP FOR 200 WPM LEVEL
-A $500 SCHOLARSHIP FOR 170 WPM LEVEL
-A $200 SCHOLARSHIP FOR 140 WPM LEVEL
Students can apply at each level even if they previously received a scholarship at a different level. Each student can only be awarded once at each level.
Students can only apply for one scholarship level per convention.
Student MUST be a WCRA member.
If you qualify, email a short letter to:
The Student Committee
- Include your name, address, NCRA-approved court reporting school attending, speed level attained (at least one passed test), years in program, how you heard about careers in court reporting/captioning/CART, what your employment goals are, and any personal or professional background you would like WCRA to consider.
Note: Previous recipients of advanced scholarship awards are ineligible. Scholarship recipients will be contacted directly.
KELLY POWERS NEW PROFESSIONAL SCHOLARSHIP
Through the generosity of Kelly Powers’ brother, Brian Powers, WCRA has been able to establish the Kelly Powers Foundation. Brian has offered to make a yearly contribution on behalf of his beloved sister, recognizing her lifelong desire to promote the profession of court reporting.
Per fund availability, WCRA will award one scholarship a year up to $3,000 for new professionals.
Application submission due by October 1, 2026.
Eligibility Requirements:
1. Recipient must have graduated in the past 12 months from an NCRA-approved court reporting school. Must submit proof of graduation (transcript, letter by instructor, copy of diploma)
2. Recipient must be a current WCRA member.
3. Submit an essay outlining reasons for applying for this scholarship, future goals, and which field of court reporting (freelance, official, CART/captioning)
4. Recipient must provide a letter of recommendation from a professional that they interned with or from an instructor.
Submit applications to:
The Student Committee
Note: Scholarship recipients are not eligible to apply for the identical scholarship in which they've previously won.
* * * * *
Kelly Powers
In Memoriam: Kelly was a graduate of Kaukauna High School and then attended Madison Business College where she graduated with a degree in court reporting. Her career began in August of 1991 working with the Honorable William Johnston in LaFayette County. From there, she moved to Madison and worked with the Honorable Sarah O'Brian from August 1992 until July of 2009. Kelly decided she wanted to live the “big city” life and moved to Chicago working in Cook County until October of 2012. At that point, she moved back to Kaukauna to live with and care for her father, taking a position in Waupaca County with the Honorable Raymond Huber.
During her 35-year career, Kelly was an active member of both NCRA and WCRA. She served as president of WCRA from 2005-2007. From 2006-2012, Kelly served as a trustee for NCRF, the National Court Reporters Foundation, and was an NCRF Angel donor for three years. She attended NCRA Boot Camp during that same time period. She served on the Advisory Board for MATC for several years and also taught a Civil Procedures class. During her career, Kelly also mentored many students. Most notable were her fundraising activities. She participated in many of the silent auctions, helping to raise money to purchase materials for the baskets that were auctioned at WCRA conventions. Kelly's enthusiasm for raising funds for WCRA was contagious, bringing together not only the court reporting community but family and friends as well. She also volunteered with NCRF during their annual phone-a-thon, traveling to Washington, D.C., during the years 2002-2007, 2009, and 2011. When you received a call from Kelly for a donation, it was hard to say no. She was one of their most successful phone-a-thoners! WCRA was lucky to have Kelly advocate for our profession for so many years! Kelly was awarded the WCRA Distinguished Service Award in 2016 and the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 posthumously.