Student Life Enhancement Fund

Funding Limit for Individuals: Funds over $200.00 will only be made payable to a department, club, group or organization. Applicants who are individuals can only apply $200 or less. 

Computer/Technical Equipment:  A maximum of $600.00 will be awarded for computer and/or technical equipment. Consideration for an amount exceeding the maximum may occur if it is demonstrated that a specific computer or technical equipment is necessary. Computer software funding will only be allocated for software supported by Computing & Communications Services (CCS) unless it is demonstrated as necessary. Funding will not be provided for personal electronic devices. 

Career Fair:  A proposal that involves a career fair must include a signed letter of support from the Experiential Learning Hub. 

Charitable Events:  Funding will not be allocated to support a donation directly to a charity. However, funding will be provided to support the cost of hosting an initiative that enriches the student experience where the profits of the initiatives are allocated towards a registered charitable organization.  

Networking and Community Development Events:  Funding in support of events that are designed to facilitate networking or community development will be considered. Proposals submitted for purely social events will be considered at a lower priority. A maximum of $1,000 will be awarded for networking and community development events. 

Attending a Conference:  Funding in support of students attending a non-academic conference that enriches the student experience at the University of Guelph will be considered. 

Individual Attendance: For acceptable non-academic conference requests, a student can receive up to a maximum of $200.

Group Attendance: Students applying to attend a non-academic conference with a group must apply as a team of up to 10 students.  Special consideration may be made for international travel or for groups larger than 10 students. 

Hosting a Conference: A group coordinating and hosting a non-academic conference on campus is eligible to apply for funding. 

Applicants that submit more than one proposal must prioritize their submissions for funding consideration 

1) Proposal is clear and concise: 

• Provides clear evidence of student involvement and consultation during the development of proposal 
• Identifies clear objectives and impact on participants 
• Indicates student involvement in designing, implementing, and evaluating project 
• Provides a realistic timetable
• Describes how the initiative will be evaluated in terms of meeting its objectives 
• Describes how initiatives will be maintained after the funding is finished, if applicable  

2) Proposal aligns with the SLEF and/or the UGAA Student Experience Fund purpose  

• Meets eligibility/ineligibility guidelines as stated 
• In the case of applications that directly involve only one or a few students, the expectation is for the applicant to demonstrate how this activity will benefit the larger student body, as per the criteria. 

3) Proposers are eligible recipients 

• Recognized University of Guelph student organizations and clubs, registered students, student government and University departments  

4) Budget is detailed with projected costs, revenues, and justification 

• Applicants must complete the budget template provided 
• Are projected costs/revenues realistic?
• Are appropriate letters of support and quotes included (e.g. quotes for expenses)?
• Are other sources of funding or requests for support identified?

Step 1. Prepare by downloading and completing the Application Guide
(This Application Guide will be available for download here by August 2023.)
This document contains questions that are a guide to help you complete the online SLEF/UGAA Student Experience Fund Application. This is NOT the official application, but filling out this template in advance will help you prepare for your application. 

Step 2. Prepare by downloading and completing the Budget Template. 
(This Budget Template will be updated and available for download here by August 2023.)
Use this form to complete an itemized budget listing that outlines each estimated cost and any estimated revenue. Indicate the total cost to host the proposed initiative by subtracting revenue from costs. Save your budget. When it comes time to submit your application through GryphLife, upload your Budget Template. 

• Follow this Budget Naming Format: Organization_Initiative_Budget_yyyy 
  Example: Student Experience_Concert_Budget_2022 

Step 3. Ready to Submit an Application? 
Applications for Fall 2023 will be available on GryphLife.ca as of Friday, September 8, 2023. Check back here for the link to be redirected to the application at GryphLife.ca. Fall 2023 applications are due Friday, September 29, 9 a.m.

Successful grant recipients must complete Step 4.

Step 4: Submit your Final Report & Final Budget and/or Interim Report by the deadline 
A final report is required from ALL grant recipients. Each final report must include a scanned copy of receipts and a detailed final budget using the Budget Template. If your initiative spans multiple semesters, we require an interim report each semester until your initiative is complete.

The deadlines for your interim or final report submissions are:

• Thursday, December 21, 2023 (Fall)
• Thursday, May 2, 2024 (Winter)
• Friday, August 16, 2023 (Summer). 

Please submit your interim or final report at this link.