2024 Travel Assistance Program

JA Family Summit – St. Louis, Missouri
July 11-14, 2024

The JA Family Summit travel assistance application process is now closed. Applications submitted after 5 p.m. ET on Friday, March 15, 2024, will not be considered.

The Arthritis Foundation is pleased to offer limited financial assistance to those wishing to attend the 2024 JA Family Summit who meet certain criteria. Travel assistance applications are open to both children/teens and their families (up to four people in the same household) and young adults with up to one companion (ages 18-30).

Please review the following important information regarding the travel assistance program BEFORE completing your application.

Important Dates

• JA Family Summit

JA Family Summit begins Thursday, July 11, 2024, at Marriott St. Louis Grand in St. Louis, Missouri.

General Information

• Priority will be given to first-time attendees, families who have not received travel assistance in the past and to those who demonstrate a financial need. Families and young adults who have received travel assistance in the past will be scored based on involvement with the Arthritis Foundation community and impact (through advocacy, local JA initiatives and events).
• A committee of Arthritis Foundation volunteers will anonymously review applications from across the country. No member of the travel assistance selection committee may apply. Arthritis Foundation staff are not eligible to receive travel assistance.
• Personal information provided in the application will remain confidential from the review committee. The information will be redacted from all application materials during the review and selection process.
• Travel assistance is not guaranteed for all applicants as there is limited funding available.

Eligibility

Family Travel Assistance

• Travel assistance is available to families of children/teens with arthritis or related childhood rheumatic diseases. The application should be completed and submitted by the parent/guardian.
• Eligible applicants include children/teens diagnosed with juvenile arthritis or a related childhood rheumatic disease and their immediate family members.
• Travel assistance is for a family of up to four living in the same household. If you choose to bring additional family members, you are responsible for all additional expenses. 

Young Adult Travel Assistance

• Travel assistance is  available to young adults (ages 18 to 30) with arthritis or related rheumatic diseases. The application should be completed by the young adult.
• Young adult travel assistance is designed only for young adults with arthritis or related rheumatic diseases. If you require a travel companion, please indicate that when applying, along with an explanation. Requests will be reviewed, and one travel companion may be approved to travel with you.

 Travel Assistance Funding 

• The overall average cost to the Arthritis Foundation for the JA Family Summit is $3,500 per family and $1,500 for a young adult. Travel assistance only covers partial expenses, which allows more families to attend the JA Family Summit. Travel assistance does not cover the costs of additional meals, transportation to/from airport, airline baggage fees, room upgrades or expenses related to additional members of the family.

 

Applications are anonymously reviewed by volunteers from across the country. 

Assistance is granted without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender, disability or national origin.  

Travel assistance covers the following expenses:
 

Family Travel Assistance

Event registration, hotel accommodations (1 standard room for 3 nights' lodging – Thursday, Friday and Saturday) and transportation (airline or gas card + hotel parking; up to 4 people)

Young Adult Travel Assistance (ages 18-30)

Event registration, hotel accommodations (1 standard room for 3 nights’ lodging – Thursday, Friday and Saturday) and transportation (airline or gas card + hotel parking)

• The Arthritis Foundation will pay for the expenses listed above directly. No money will be distributed directly to travel assistance recipients.
• The event registration fee includes all planned activities and six meals, including: Thursday opening dinner, Friday breakfast and lunch, Saturday breakfast and dinner and Sunday light continental breakfast. Additional meals are not included.
• Lodging includes 1 standard room that sleeps up to four people at the JA Family Summit hotel.
• Transportation could include coach-class airfare/train fare for up to 4 people or a gas card to cover mileage. Airline/train tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.
• Travel assistance recipients will receive gas cards to cover mileage expenses. Gas card rates will be determined based on round-trip mileage and cannot exceed the cost of a round-trip flight. Commercial air travel is generally the most economical and practical means for round-trip distances over 350 miles. Travelers should use the most direct route when calculating mileage. Refer to the rate chart below and 2024 Travel Assistance Radius Map for more details.

1. 50 - 150 miles: $75.00
2. 151 - 250 miles: $125.00
3. 251 - 350 miles: $175.00

Notification Process

• Notifications will be sent to all applicants, whether they were selected or not, to the email address provided in the application, at the beginning of April 2024. Applicants who do not receive notification by April 15 should contact [email protected] regarding application status. 
• If selected, travel assistance recipients will be required to complete an online commitment form stating they will attend all sessions, get involved with the Arthritis Foundation locally and submit a "thank-you" letter to be shared with donors following the event. Recipients will have 30 days to return the completed commitment form to confirm travel assistance. 

Please direct any questions regarding the 2024 Travel Assistance Program to [email protected].