2023 National Student Leadership Forum on Faith & Values

THE “NEED TO KNOW” INFORMATION

How much does the Forum weekend cost?

The cost to attend will be between $400 (two-bed hotel room with three other students, shared beds) or $475 (two-bed hotel room with one other student) and covers all food and hotel expenses throughout the weekend. If cost is a concern, contact our office at nslforum@nslforum.org, or learn about financial assistance opportunities below.

When is my payment due?

Payment is due by September 25th. Your spot will not be completely secure until the payment has been received. Payment can be made here: https://www.nslforum.org/payment.

What if I need financial assistance to attend the Forum?

Our recommendations:

  1. Send a personalized endorsement letter to your university to request funding. You can take this to your student affairs office, the dean of your college, the head of your department, or the director of your student union. If you would like a prewritten personalized endorsement letter, please email nslforum@nslforum.org.

  2. Once we’ve emailed you a personalized endorsement letter for your university, here is a sample email you can send to initiate contact with various offices on campus (see recommended offices above). Edit the sections highlighted in yellow to tailor the email to your circumstances.

  3. Ask your family and friends to help! You can even make specific requests for frequent flyer miles, gas money, partial funding for your Forum fee, etc.

  4. Create a fundraising campaign through social media outlets like Instagram, Instagram Reels, TikTok or Facebook. For tips on outreach, email nslforum@nslforum.org

When and where do I need to arrive on Friday, October 27th?

Arrive and register at the Hilton Washington DC Capitol Hill between 12:30pm and 4:30pm ET. The doors will open for the first session at 5:00pm ET.

When will the Forum conclude on Sunday, October 29th?

The Forum will conclude at 1:00pm ET. Please book your travel accordingly.

What’s the address for the Hilton Washington DC Capitol Hill?

525 New Jersey Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

How do I check-in when I arrive at the hotel?

When you arrive, the NSLF team will point you toward our check-in table. You will need your ID for registration.

Which Washington, D.C. airport should I fly in and out of?

Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) - approximately 15 minutes from the hotel.

Dulles International Airport (IAD) or Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI) - approximately 45 minutes from the hotel.

How do I get from the airport to the hotel?

Students are responsible for transportation from the airport to the hotel. Uber and Lyft are reliable options in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. You can also ride the Metro from DCA (Reagan National Airport).

Metro Instructions from DCA (Reagan National Airport): Ask for directions to the metro station in the airport. Board the Yellow line in the direction of Greenbelt. Ride the Yellow line for 6 stops. Get off the metro at the Gallery Place Chinatown metro stop. Board the Red Line in the direction of Glenmont. Ride the Red line for 2 stops. Get off the metro at Union Station, and exit onto the street. From Union Station, walk West on E St. NE for 2 blocks. Turn left on New Jersey Avenue NW.

If I plan to drive to the Forum, where should I park my car?

You can valet park your car through the hotel (about $60/night) or at Union Station (about $25/night). Please note that NSLF will not cover parking costs.

Am I allowed to stay with friends or at a different hotel?

We require all students to stay at the Forum hotel to make sure they get the full NSLF experience.

What should I pack?

Friday, October 27 - Business casual, comfortable shoes and a coat (for late-night activity)

Saturday, October 28 - Business casual (Jeans/Pants, Nice Blouse or Sweater)

Sunday, October 29 - Business professional (Suit, Dress, Blouse, Jacket)

If I need assistance, who should I contact?

If you have any issues, please feel free to call the NSLF team at 240.380.6482 or email us at nslforum@nslforum.org

 

UNIVERSITY FAQ

When and where is the National Student Leadership Forum on Faith & Values?

The Forum will take place Friday, October 27 through Sunday, October 29 at the Hilton Washington DC Capitol Hill (525 New Jersey Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001) in Washington, D.C.

 How much does it cost for a student to attend the Forum?

The cost to attend the Forum is $400-475 depending on the student’s rooming selection. Once accepted, students will be asked to pay a $50 deposit to hold their spot (the deposit goes toward the full fee).

What is the National Student Leadership Forum on Faith & Values?

A leadership forum hosted by members of Congress on both sides of the aisle, bringing students across the nation together to discuss servant leadership. Students will interact with Congressional, business, and community leaders who implement their faith and values in the way they lead. The weekend includes various meetings, speakers, and small group discussions, as well as fun Capitol Hill activities throughout the weekend.

Is this a political event?

While the event is hosted by members of Congress, its central focus is servant leadership. Students of different religious, cultural, and political backgrounds come together to grow in leadership by emphasizing the importance of identity, purpose, and relationships, and how they play a role in leadership.

 Is this a religious event?

At the Forum, we invite students to look at examples of servant leadership from Jesus of Nazareth and other influential figures. We aim to create a space for students to consider how their own faith and values influence their leadership. The Forum does not exclude participants based on belief.

Who should I nominate? How do I nominate?

NSL has a long tradition of bringing a diverse group of student leaders from around the world to the Forum. You can help us by nominating students who are open, willing to grow and exemplify leadership potential. Nominate students by clicking the “Nominate” bubble in the upper right-hand corner of this page. Once you nominate a student, they will receive an email with a link to apply to participate in the Forum. The NSL team will review applications on a rolling basis and keep you updated on the application status of your nominees.

Will the students I nominate be accepted?

Students are accepted on a rolling basis. There are a limited number of spots available, but if you are excited about a particular student, please email us at nslforum@nslforum.org. We will do our best to accommodate you in the acceptance process.

Is the University responsible for covering student fees?

The University is not responsible for covering student fees, though we encourage nominators to consider endorsing their students to support them. NSL does provide accepted applicants with an endorsement letter to take to their university to request full or partial funding.

Are students able to stay at our campus housing or another hotel located in Washington D.C.?

Students may only stay at the Hilton Washington DC Capitol Hill hotel.

 How do I speak with an NSL team member?

If you have any questions about NSL or would like to schedule a phone or Zoom call to learn more, please email us at nslforum@nslforum.org.