Student Experiential Learning Fund

The Office of Experiential Learning (OEL) Student Experiential Learning Fund (SELF) seeks to support undergraduate University of Dayton students with demonstrated financial need who are involved in experiential learning (EL), broadly defined. The goal of the Student Experiential Learning Fund is to expand access to EL for students of all backgrounds and academic areas of study, particularly those who face financial barriers to participation. Individual students are eligible to receive up to $250-$500 for their proposed EL activity/program. 

Why SELF? 

The Office of Experiential Learning (OEL) at the University of Dayton believes that high-impact experiential learning promotes personal, professional, and academic transformation for students. 

With that belief in mind, the OEL’s student grant has been titled SELF (Student Experiential Learning Fund) to signify the Marianist value of educating the whole person. The OEL hopes that SELF can make experiential learning activities more accessible, which is why the grant is geared toward students with financial barriers. SELF seeks to give students the opportunity for engaging learning and make it about the student, not about money. With SELF, the student takes initiative to further their education and discover their potential.

Eligible EL activities and programs supported by the OEL Student Grant Program include, but are not limited to: 

• Participation in conferences: registration, travel, and lodging costs associated with the conference are eligible.
• Participation in an unpaid internship or volunteer position at a non-profit organization: the grant will support a students’ living expenses while working in the internship/volunteer position.
• Costs associated with participating in a competition related to professional and academic interests, including registration and travel expenses
• Educational workshops, seminars, bootcamps, other professional development programs: grant will cover fees associated with the virtual and/or in person activities/programs.
• Costs associated with a student-led community-engaged learning or service-learning initiatives under the advisement and mentorship of a UD faculty member
• On-campus leadership initiatives including:
  • Costs associated with the development of a symposium, panel, roundtable, or other educational event/forum open to UD campus community: eligible expenses include funds for marketing and promotion materials, development of educational resources, honoraria for guest speakers who would lead an active workshop
• Costs associated with materials, equipment, for a student-led research/project under the advisement and mentorship of a UD faculty member

Non-Exhaustive Examples of Activities NOT Funded by SELF:

• Recreational activities not related to academics or professional development
• Non-interactive speakers
• Living expenses for a paid position

 Eligibility:

• Students with demonstrated financial need as determined by the FAFSA are eligible to apply. All student requests will be subject to approval by the Office of Financial Aid. Only students with significant financial need will be considered.  If you believe you are in a circumstance that should warrant an exception, please note in the application.
• Students should not already be receiving funds for the EL experience (for example, UD scholarships or other university grants)
• Students are required to complete a reflection report at the culmination of the experiential learning activity/program funded by SELF which will be featured on the OEL UD website.
• Applications should be submitted as far in advance of the EL program/activity as possible, at least 4 weeks in advance of the EL activity/program.
• If traveling, students may need to fill out travel forms or other university permission forms in advance of traveling.

How to Apply:

To apply please fill out this Google Form Application. Applications which demonstrate how the EL experience/program will directly benefit the student’s personal, academic, professional, and/or vocational development will receive priority.The form requires students to submit the name of a faculty/staff advisor who can provide a recommendation upon the request of Karen Lovett, Director of Experiential Learning. 

Applications will be received and reviewed on a rolling basis until the fund for the year is expended.

Please contact OEL@udayton.edu with any questions about the OEL Student Grant Program.