WASHINGTON -- For the fourth year, the International Airlines
Travel Agent Network is offering tuition grants for agents seeking
the Certified Travel Associate and Certified Travel Counselor
designations from the Institute of Certified Travel Agents.
Each month from May though December, Iatan's will award five
tuition assistance grants of $125 apiece, for a total of 40 this
year, for agents prerequisite for the CTA designation, a precursor
to the CTC designation.
Each month five grants of $250 each will be awarded to agents
aiming to become CTCs, for a total of 40 grants this year.
Only agents who are registered with Iatan and hold a valid Iatan
identification card are eligible to apply.
Candidates also must have been employed full time in the travel
industry continuously for at least three years and must obtain a
letter of recommendation from the agency owner or manager.
Agents also must complete the application form, including a
statement of 25 words or less on how the CTA or CTC designation
will help their careers. Those applying for CTC grants must enclose
copies of their CTA certificates.
Agents need apply only once because those not selected for a
month will be included in all future selections this year. Tuition
certificates are not transferable and must be redeemed at ICTA in
90 days.
Over the past three years, IATAN said it awarded grants to 360
agents at all levels of employment. The total includes 195
employees, 68 managers, 35 agency stockholders, 21 officers, 17
independent contractors, 13 partners and 11 sole proprietors.
Application forms are available at www.iatan.org. Click on
the "education" icon to retrieve document 310. The document also
can be obtained from Iatan's fax-back service at (800)
294-2826.