NCRA members regularly recommend that students of court reporting and captioning sign up for a student membership. But, you may wonder, what is it that students receive with NCRA membership? While student members have access to all of the same benefits as full members, such as the JCR, advocacy efforts, and certifications, there are many benefits that are just for student members.
Financial assistance: From additional discounts on NCRA practice material, webinars specific to students, books and merchandise, the NCRA Conference & Expo, and certifications (on top of the discounts offered NCRA members) to access to scholarships, students can apply for financial assistance for court reporting programs, access to the Career Launcher program, and conference attendance.
- Nearly $50,000 has been set aside by NCRA and its philanthropic arm, the National Court Reporter Foundation, to be given out in 2026 to support many students and new reporters. Visit NCRA.org/Scholarships for more information and to apply.
- In addition, students can find discounts on many different products and services through the NCRA Member Saving Program and our group insurance program (NCRA.org/Member-Benefits).
Emotional support and connection with others in the fields: From speed coaching to mentoring, students can make connections with other court reporters and captioners from the very start.
- Students can follow NCRA on social media sites including Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn so that they can get the latest news from NCRA and connect with like-minded people on their own professional journeys.
- NCRA also offers a Virtual Mentor Program, allowing students to match with experienced court reporters and captioners geographically and by interest. (Visit NCRA.org/VMP to sign up.)
News on the profession: Students have access to the JCR and the JCR Weekly, just like all NCRA members; in addition, students receive an emailed newsletter, Up-to-Speed, every other month. Up-to-Speed focuses on student issues such as practice methods and inspirational profiles as well as lists of those who completed a speed or graduated, and it also keeps students up to date on deadlines for scholarships.
Additional training through Career Launcher: The National Court Reporters Foundation offers additional training for a variety of situations students are likely to run into on the job through Career Launcher, an innovative and comprehensive professional training program designed for court reporting students, new professionals, or anyone who needs a crash course in the life of a deposition reporter. This program is asynchronous and consists of 10 video mock deposition modules. Students can work through the program at their own pace. Candidates will benefit from more than 150 years of cumulative experience from leading industry professionals as they navigate the myriad circumstances and environments that they will encounter in their career. The program is reasonably priced, and the Foundation offers scholarships quarterly to interested applicants.
Yet another benefit for students — one that doesn’t easily fit into a category — is graduated dues for the first and second years in their career. As students graduate and begin their careers, often as freelancers, they may find additional financial pressures — to pass certification exams, upgrade software and equipment, or even paying fees to establish themselves as a business. Graduated fees are just one more way that NCRA can help students as they step into a new role while keeping them connected to the community. From enrollment to graduation, NCRA is here to support the success of each and every court reporting and captioning student.
Learn more about NCRA membership.
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