Student Opportunity Fund - Faculty/Staff Application

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The Ellyn A. McColgan Student Opportunity Fund supports Feliciano School of Business students by providing up to $2,500 for Faculty or Staff-led immersive, experiential learning opportunities that build business leadership skills.

Eligible expenses include:

  • Group travel and transportation for faculty-led trips (site visits, conferences, competitions) 
  • Materials and program development for experiential offerings
  • Workshops or speaker events
  • Group registrations for conferences and events
  • Student Club activities

Activities should typically benefit 25 or more students

Questions about eligibility? Email jonesju@montclair.edu

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Further guidance 

Application Process

All funding requests must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the date funds are needed. Awards are granted on application merit and impact, financial need and fund availability.

To apply for group funding:
– Review all requirements and guidelines
– Complete the application form below and upload an itemized budget.
– Agree to submit a post activity report.

Faculty and staff application form. Faculty may also apply on behalf of Student Clubs here.

Individual student applications

The Selection Committee meets monthly to review applications and applicants will be notified soon after. All funding requests must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the date funds are needed to allow time for review.

Funds are dispersed via:

  • Course-related costs (e.g., study abroad) will be applied directly to tuition.
  • Direct purchases via university-approved vendors (e.g., bus hire, catering).
  • Reimbursements for out-of-pocket expenses (e.g., travel, food). Receipts are required and must follow university guidelines.

If an application is approved, further instructions regarding payment and fund disbursement will follow.

 

Recipients must submit a post-activity report (within 30 days) which may include:
● Written or video testimonial describing the activity and how it advances your students
● Photo diary
● Participation in recruitment events
● Creative formats encouraged
● Donor thank you letters are recommended

Post-experience reporting helps the Feliciano School of Business measure impact, share success stories and encourage additional applicants.

I need financial support for an experiential learning opportunity that is not listed above. May I still apply?
– Email with an outline. We will let you know if the experience is eligible for funding. We don’t have an exhaustive list of activities, but if a student can put it on their resume and it connects them with an outside organization, that’s a good start.

May I apply for more than $2,500?
– Support for group experiences is capped at $2,500. Email to explore if other funding options are available.

I'm an Adjunct Professor, may I apply?

- Yes, the goal is to support the students so any faculty or staff can apply.

May I apply for funding for an experience that is completed?
– No. All funding must be approved in advance. Retroactive funding is not permitted.

I have a group of graduate students, may I apply?
– At this time, the fund is only open to undergraduates. 

The experience is in less than a month, can I still get funding?
– We strongly recommend submitting your proposal at least 30 days before your experience. If your timeline is shorter please email to let us know your application is time-sensitive.

What experiences have been funded in the past?

  • Site visits: the NY Federal Reserve, an Amazon Distribution Center, Bloomberg, and hospitality locations
  • Industry conferences (registration, transport and / or accommodation): the Finance Leaders Conference in NYC and the Federation of Hospitality conference in PA
  • Student competitions: materials for management posters
  • Career-building extras: industry certifications and global consultation matching

What support is there if I want to do an activity?

  • In addition to general guidance, the following is also available.
  • Site visit guidance
  • A bus booking procedure checklist
  • Travel quotes from our internal travel center
  • Invoice and expense processing
  • Introductions to relevant companies and contacts

Is there anything that doesn’t qualify for funding?

  • The fund can’t provide cash prizes for students
  • All travel must follow the University travel policy.

 

– A post-activity report or digital summary is required within 30 days (see above).
– Funds must be used only for approved expenses related to the experiential learning opportunity. Any unauthorized expenses are the responsibility of the awardee.
– If the awardee is unable to complete the approved experience, the funds must be returned within 30 days.
– Financial reporting and receipt submission must be completed within 30 days of the incurred expense.
– Unspent funds must be returned within 30 days of the experience’s conclusion.