Professional/Crew Development Grants

The ASTA Professional/Crew Development Grant has been established to provide financial assistance to professional crewmembers of ASTA vessels in order to meet new and existing requirements for maintaining as well as advancing their USCG licenses, and to encourage the highest possible standards of safety training for individuals or groups of ASTA members.

How to Apply for an ASTA Professional/Crew Development Grant
Application should be submitted in letter form, and include all information indicated in the appropriate paragraphs below. Applications will be reviewed by a staff committee made up of the Executive Director, Director of Operations and Education Director. Applications must be received by ASTA by March 31 , June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year. Applicants will be notified of the Review Committee's decision within 14 days of these dates.

• Individual grants: An individual award will be made for not more than 1/2 of the total cost of the course or program, and will not be made to cover travel or lodging expenses. The individual will provide documentation of the cost of the program, and ASTA may choose to fund half of a less expensive, equivalent program if one is available. Grants will be made on a reimbursable basis, that is, the applicant must first pay for the course out of his/her own funds, then submit proof of satisfactory completion of the course in order to receive the grant.
• Group grants: In some cases, ASTA Professional Members may desire to have a course given for all crewmembers on board the vessel, or at a nearby training facility, as the most cost-effective way to obtain required training. As with individual grants, ASTA will fund not more than half of the cost. Proposals for this kind of grant will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Reimbursement of the approved amount will be made on receipt of verification by the course provider that the course has been given.

Minimum Criteria for Eligibility and Information Required
Individual applicants:

• ASTA individual member.
• Demonstrate employment as paid or volunteer crewmember for not less than 9 months aboard ASTA   member vessel(s) within past 24 months.
• A statement of financial need. The goal of this grant is to provide for those who truly need assistance
• Letter of recommendation from a Captain (preferably) or vessel owner for which the individual has sailed within the past 48 months. (Other letters of recommendation may be submitted as supplemental material.)
• Justification for taking the course requested. The individual should explain the need for the program applied for. It is not ASTA's intention to provide funding for Examination Preparation courses. ASTA will determine the validity of the program applied for.
• Provide documentation of cost.

Group applicants:

• Organizational member of ASTA.
• A description of the proposed training course, who will provide it, how many will benefit, and why it is required or desired.
• A quotation from the school or facility offering the course, indicating course cost and duration, credentials of the provider, and Coast Guard course approval (if appropriate).

Within 6 months of notification of their award, Awardees must:

• complete the training program and provide verification of successful completion (ie, certificate of completion)
• provide verification of training program tuition paid (ie, paid invoice or receipt)

If all above criteria are met, Awardees will receive grant as reimbursement, direct to them.