Student Experience Fund

The Student Experience Fund is generously supported by Alberta School of Business alumni and donors. This fund supports Alberta School of Business undergraduate students in all programs of study. Its purpose is to help students engage in experiences outside the classroom, allowing them to explore leadership skills, and professional goals. The SEF allocation will change yearly, based on donor contributions. 

Apply Starting August 15th for Fall term, through CareerConnect

Who can apply: This funding is available to Alberta School of Business undergraduate students. Students must have at least satisfactory academic standing (according to Academic Regulations) and be registered at the University of Alberta School of Business both when applying for the funds and the time of the proposed activity. 


Award: Within a single twelve-month time period, students will be awarded funding only once. The maximum funding is $500 per student per year. The twelve-month period is based on when the activity takes place, not when the application is submitted. 

For example, if an application in May 2024 is submitted for an activity that will take place in September 2024, and is funded, they will not be eligible to receive funds again until September 2025.

Please note - This program has limited funding and not all applications will be approved. Review the SEF Rubric before submitting an application.

Application Opens

Date of Activity

Application Deadline

August 15

September - January

September 15

December 15

February - August

January 15

 

Student Experience Fund FAQ

What is the application process?
  • Applications are submitted through CareerConnect
  • Applications must include responses to the following three questions:
    • How will this specific activity help you to explore leadership skills, and professional goals? (max. 200 words)
    • What knowledge, skills and abilities will you develop through this activity, and how will you apply them after the activity? (max. 200 words)
    • Please list any additional information you would like the adjudication committee to know. (max. 150 words)
  • Prior to submitting an application, we strongly encourage students have all activity information ready including estimated expenses such as entry fee.
  • Applications will open one month before the deadline.
  • Applications must be received before the proposed activity has occurred; retroactive applications are not permitted.
  • Students must apply for the deadline in which their activity falls. Late applications will be ineligible. If an activity spans multiple deadlines, the application must be submitted for the deadline in which the activity starts. For example: If the activity begins November 10 and goes until June, one must apply for the deadline in which November falls - which would be the September 15 deadline.
  • An SEF decision will be made within 4 weeks following the end of the application period.
  • Students may not resubmit an SEF application if the original application has been denied; unless the reason for denial is due to the application being submitted too early (i.e., before the noted time period for the activity).
  • Funding decisions are not appealable.

    Application Tip: This program has limited funding and not all applications will be approved. Applicants should ensure their application is thorough and includes all requested information. Additionally, this program doesn't cover travel, so please provide your costs, excluding travel. All costs need to be inline with UAPPOL policies.
Which expenses are eligible?

Eligible expenses include:

  • Conferences and seminars related to your professional interests
  • Skill-building workshops
  • Meetings and events hosted by professional associations
  • Experiential learning activities such as case competitions that are not already subsidized or coordinated by the ASB.
Which expenses are ineligible?

Ineligible expenses:

Types of activities that are not eligible for funding include, but are not restricted to:

  • Travel expenses are not eligible for receiving funding
  • Fees associated with registration with designated bodies, for instance, fees associated with registering for your CPA
  • Exam or exam prep fees, for instance fees associated with the CFA exam or exam preparation
  • Funding for student groups (e.g. speaker fees, catering for participants) this fund is for individual participants only. Student groups should apply for student group funding using the appropriate channels. Individual students who wish to receive support to attend a student coordinated activity - such as RMBS may apply for delegate funding to offset the cost of attending this activity. 
  • Research-related travel (e.g. field research, travel to participate in a collaborative research project or to study with a scholar elsewhere)  
  • Activities for which applicants will also receive academic credit (e.g. CSL, practicum, field school, study aboard)
  • Work experience placements, whether paid or unpaid (e.g. internship, practicum)
  • Any activity where the applicant will be paid for their participation. Please note, awards earned by the participant are excluded from this, i.e., a student may participate in a case competition and earn an award for their case, that is acceptable under the SEF funds.
  • Expenses related to lost wages or income while participating in a conference or experiential learning activity. This fund is not intended to offset lost earnings.
  • Personal incidental expenses, such as haircuts, clothing, or new outfits, are not eligible.


Have questions about the Student Experience Fund? Email us at 
bcomexp@ualberta.ca.

 

For additional Grants and Funding options please visit the Career Centre website where you can find a list of common Grants and Funding and a list of all available funding options.

Please follow up with the UofA Career Centre at yourcareercentre@ualberta.ca if you have questions about the additional professional development grants and funding.