ASW Student Funding
Opportunity Fund
Apply for funds to attend a conference or professional meeting, conduct research, or engage in the service of others.
What Is It?
Students should apply for funding if the money will be used to pay for registration costs for attending an academic conference, attending a significant professional meeting, conducting research, engaging in the service of others, or any other event that shall significantly advance the student’s personal, professional, and/or academic growth. Priority is given to students who have exhausted other funding options first.
Selection Timeline
- Students can apply for funding up to 8 weeks prior to the event date.
- Students should submit their application between 8 and 2 weeks prior to the event date.
- Students can apply up to 1 day prior to their event, however, it's recommended to apply at least 2 weeks prior.
Selection Procedure
- Students will receive email communication from the ASW Director of Budgeting with 72 hours after submitting their application. This intital email follow up will provide an update on the process, which might include follow up questions for the applicant.
- Funding is not guaranteed. ASW will always try and award the most funding per student, but this process isn't automatic. ASW reviews each application within the guidelines before awarding any funds. If an application lacks necessary information that could impact the awarding of funds, ASW will reach out to the student for more information before denying an application.
- The Opportunity Fund operates as a reimbursement process only. No advance monies will be issued to students. In other words, once a student pays for their expense and completes the event, then they can receive reimbursement.
- Once a student completes their event, they must submit all required documentation
for reimbursement:
- An itemized receipt of expense
- A completed follow-up form (typically, students will receive this information in the email announcing their award funds; the ASW Director of Budgeting will also send at least one reminder email to the student)
- A photo of the student at the event
- Students MUST submit all their documentation within 2 weeks of the event or they are subject to not receiving the reimbursement.
Funding Parameters
- Maximum funding per student: $400
- Maximum funding per student for entire time at Westminster: $800
- Maximum funding per event (for group events): $1,200
- Maximum funding for graduate school visits (program not offered at Westminster): $200
- No tuition expenses or program requirements will receive funding
- No study abroad programs will receive funding
- No May Term Study Experience will receive funding
- Funding is designed for unexpected opportunities*
*Unexpected opportunities defined as any event that is not anticipated annually by a school organization or group. Some examples of expected opportunities may include conferences departments attend regularly or competitive tournaments for teams that have existed for more than one year. The Opportunity Fund Committee will determine if an opportunity is unexpected.
2014 Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing
This was one of the greatest experiences I have ever had. The conference lasted three days, and each day was filled with seminars, mentoring, socializing/networking, job hunting, and so many other great things. I was able to network with incredible women in my field and get interview experience. I also learned that I’m interested in several fields that I had never considered before. This opportunity was the missing link between my education and my career. After attending this conference, I sincerely hope that I can inspire other females to seek out this life changing experience.
– Hanna Rosen
2014 Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education
All six of us are pursuing the Outdoor Education & Leadership minor, and attending this conference was the perfect supplement to our coursework. One of the most meaningful aspects of the conference was getting to meet professionals who have pursued career paths similar to what many of us have been considering. We appreciated being exposed to the wide variety of paths that exist in the outdoor industry, and figuring out which of those seemed most appealing to us. Furthermore, the ideas presented in the presentations were directly applicable to Westminster’s Outdoor Program. The knowledge we have gained will help us to improve the quality and experience the Outdoor Program offers.
– Outdoor Leaders Group (Brett Carroll, Tyler Price, Zoe Zulaf, Katherine Dalrymple, Nathan Maples, and Graham Archer)
2014 Investor Event at Santa Clara University
I was given the opportunity to travel down to California and present to an audience of investors at Santa Clara University. I presented on a course that my peers and I made in hopes of getting funding for a clinic we plan to build in Uganda. I learned that each investor has different interests and that fundraising methods change based on the individual. The experience expanded my knowledge of raising money and public awareness. I will apply the skill I learned to my next fundraising event.
–Brolin Mawejje
Upon completion of your approved event, please fill out the Opportunity Fund response form to detail the benefits of your experience. Please also submit a photo of your experience to the ASW Director of Budgeting at aswbudget@westminsteru.edu.
Eco-Warrior Grant
Implement your innovative sustainability project or a brilliant idea into the Westminster community.
Mission
The ASW Eco-Council recognizes that student-driven projects directed towards environmental efforts are an essential component on the road to a stronger and more self-sustainable campus. The council encourages Griffins to turn their research, class projects, and simply bold initiatives into action throughout the Westminster community by using the Sustainability Fund (Eco-Warrior Grant) specifically designated for this purpose. Providing the necessary support and helping students access the tools and resources needed to bring their ideas to life is one of the Eco-Council's core priorities.
Eco-Council Structure
The Eco-Council meets throughout the semester to review grant applications and discuss the progress of the previously funded projects. The council consists of 5 members: the ASW director of budget and accounting, ASW vice president, an ASW senator, an Environmental Center employee, and an Environmental Studies faculty member. The Environmental Center manager serves as the Eco-Council chair and is a non-voting member of the council, serving as the advisor for new applications and the point of contact for new and approved applications.
Grant Eligibility
All students registered for at least 2 credit hours are eligible to apply for the Eco-Warrior Grant. Students can apply in teams or individually. Teams must designate 1 main contact.
Application Process and Timeline
Before submitting an application, all applicants must meet with the Eco-Council chair for guidance. Applicants should discuss proposed ideas with the chair to create the strongest, most concise application possible. After meeting with the council chair, applications will complete the online application.
The council's chair will contact applicants within 1 week of receiving their application to provide a timeline for the review process and ask any necessary follow-up questions. After the Eco-Council reaches a decision, the Eco-Council chair will contact the applicant with a decision and future steps.
Selection Procedure
The Eco-Council evaluates received applications within 3 weeks of being submitted.
- Students can apply for up to $2,500.
- Students can apply for up to 2 Eco-Warrior Grants during their time at Westminster with a combined maximum amount of $2,500.
- Only projects that have an impact in the field of sustainability, and that add value to Westminster and its students, will be funded.
- Quality of work plan, budget, and application materials
- Impact on furthering campus sustainability efforts and environmental initiatives
- Transparency, replicability, and continuity in the planning and implementation processes
- Innovation, creativity, and perceived impact on the Westminster community
Thank you for your interest in the Eco-Warrior Grant. Please complete this application to the best of your ability. If you have questions regarding any of the following sections, please feel free to contact the Eco-Council chair. Incomplete proposals will not be accepted.
Each grant recipient will be assigned an advisor, if they don’t already have one, that sits on the Eco-Council. In most cases, the Eco-Council chair will serve as the project advisor. Each recipient is required to report on the progress for the duration of the project.
Questions? Please email Keaton Schrank, Eco-Council chair, at kschrank@westminsteru.edu.
Project Follow-Up
Once you’ve finished your project, please complete the Eco-Warrior Grant experience form in order for us to share your success with other students and document how grant funds have been used. We appreciate your efforts and are excited to see how the funds were used!
Interested in joining ASW Leadership?
For more information on ASW positions, perks, and responsibilities and to learn of upcoming elections and open positions