1. Attend a Working Group Meeting
   The SSC requires applicants to attend a working group meeting to receive feedback project proposals prior to submitting applications. These meetings occur regularly each semester and are posted on our calendar.
2. Download and Complete the Project Budget and Timeline Spreadsheet
   Complete the SSC Budget and Timeline - New Application (xlsx) with your project’s budget and timeline information. You will upload the completed spreadsheet with your online application.
3. Submit a Student-Led Under $10,001 Application
   Complete the SSC Funding Application for Student-Led Projects under $10,001 application form. At the end of the form, there will be a section for you to submit the completed SSC Budget and Timeline - New Application (xlsx) for your project. The application will automatically submit after completion. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis during spring and fall academic semesters. See our calendar for our schedule of voting meetings.
4. Sign the Award Letter
   If the SSC approves the project application, SSC staff will generate an Adobe Sign document that details the award’s terms and conditions. This award letter will be sent to the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs for authorization first, followed by iSEE’s representative. After both parties authorize the award letter, it is sent to the project leader and then the project advisor for final approval.
5. Request a CFOP
   The project's financial manager from the sponsoring department will receive an email from SSC staff a FPI (Fund, Program, Index) code form and instructions to request a new CFOP from UAFR (University Accounting and Financial Reporting). Once SSC is informed of the CFOP information, SSC staff will request a transfer of funds to the project’s CFOP. Project teams should note the deadline requirements in the award letter to request a CFOP. The funding will remain in the self-supporting CFOP for a maximum of two years or until the project is finished, whichever comes first.
6. Submit a Semester Progress Report
   Each semester during which the project is active, project leaders are required to complete the SSC Budget and Timeline - Semester Project Report (xlsx) and submit it with the completed SSC Semester Progress Report no later than 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the semester.
7. Submit a Final Project Report
   Project leaders are required to complete the SSC Budget and Timeline - Final Project Report (xlsx) and submit it with the completed SSC Final Project Report no later than 11:59 p.m. on the expiration date of their award.
8. Example Student-Led Projects Under $10,001
   Examples will be provided soon. Please check back.

Students as the primary project lead requesting $10,001.00 or more in funding and faculty and staff requesting any amount of funding require the submission of two applications each with one deadline in a given semester. This application process is semester-long. Therefore, it is critical that those interested in this type of funding plan according to the application requirements at each point of the funding cycle. This application process follows the sequence below:

1. Attend a Working Group Meeting
   The SSC requires applicants to attend a working group meeting to receive feedback project proposals prior to submitting applications. These meetings occur regularly each semester and are posted on our calendar.
2. Download and Complete the Project Budget and Timeline Spreadsheet
   Complete SSC Budget and Timeline - New Application (xlsx) with your project’s budget and timeline information. You will upload the completed spreadsheet with your on-line application.
3. Submit the Step 1 Funding Application
   Complete the SSC Step I Funding Application form. At the end of the form, there is a section for you to submit the completed SSC Budget and Timeline - New Application (xlsx) for your project. The application will automatically submit after completion. See our calendar for the Step 1 deadline.
4. Receive a Step 1 Application Decision from SSC
   At the SSC Step 1 Voting Meeting, the SSC will vote to approve or deny the Step 1 Funding Application. If approved, the application will be moved on to the Step 2 application stage and the project team informed. If the committee denies an application, the project team will be informed and no further action can be taken that semester by the project team.
5. Submit the Step 2 Application and Finalized Budget and Timeline Spreadsheet
   Project applicants whose Step 1 applications are approved complete or revise the previously submitted SSC Budget and Timeline - New Application (xlsx) with the project’s budget and timeline information. This version acts as the finalized version of the proposed budget and timeline. Applicants then complete the SSC Step 2 Funding Application and upload the completed SSC Budget and Timeline - New Application (xlsx) prior to submitting the application.
6. Receive a Step 2 Decision from SSC
   At the SSC Step 2 Voting Meeting, the SSC will vote to approve in full, approve with revisions, or deny the Step 2 Funding Application. Project applicants will be informed of SSC decisions.
7. Sign the Award Letter
   If approved in full or with revisions, SSC staff will generate an Adobe Sign document that details the award’s terms and conditions. This award letter will be sent to the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs for authorization first, followed by iSEE’s representative. After both parties authorize the award letter, it is sent to the project leader and project advisor (if student-led) for final authorization.
8. Request a CFOP
   The project's financial manager from the sponsoring department will receive an email from SSC staff a FPI (Fund, Program, Index) code form and instructions to request a new CFOP from UAFR (University Accounting and Financial Reporting). Once SSC is informed of the CFOP information, SSC staff will request a transfer of funds to the project’s CFOP. Project teams should note the deadline requirements in the award letter to request a CFOP. The funding will remain in the self-supporting CFOP for a maximum of two years or until the project is finished, whichever comes first.
9. Submit a Semester Progress Report
   Each semester during which the project is active, project leaders are required to submit a SSC Semester Progress Report no later than 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the semester.
10. Submit a Final Project Report
    Project leaders are required to submit a SSC Final Project Report no later than 11:59 p.m. on the expiration date of their award.
11. Example Project
    Examples will be provided soon. Please check back.

Scope Change

If a project requires a change in the timeline, budget, or project direction a SSC Scope Change Application and associated SSC Budget and Timeline - Scope Change (xlsx) must be submitted. A Scope Change requires a detailed description and explanation of the changes being requested and must be submitted at least sixty (60) days in advance of the project’s original completion deadline.

Project Contact Information Change

If a project requires a change in the project’s personnel including the project’s lead, advisor, financial manager, and/or team members, a SSC-Funded Project Contact Information Change Form must be submitted.

Progress Report

A SSC Semester Progress Report and accompanying completed SSC Budget and Timeline - Semester Project Report (xlsx) is required at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters for all ongoing projects in order to document progress and expenditures. The submission deadline for these reports is the last day of final exams each semester during which the project is active or its expiration date, whichever is first. The expiration date for your project is detailed in the original authorized award letter.

Final Report

An SSC Final Project Report and accompanying completed SSC Budget and Timeline - Final Project Report (xlsx) is required upon completion of a project or project expiration, whichever comes first. The expiration date for your project is detailed in the original authorized award letter.

What qualifies a project as being "Student-led"?

A Student-Led Project is one where a currently enrolled Illinois student is the lead figure in defining the goals for and creating the design of the project. Students are encouraged to consult faculty, staff, and/or other professionals while maintaining autonomy.

Are there specific types of expenses that the SSC will not fund?

Yes. Please refer to respective funding standards under How to Apply for Funding.

Will SSC fund multiple projects from the same applicant?

Yes, the SSC can fund multiple projects from the same applicant.

Will SSC fund my research project?

The SSC can fund research projects that have a tangible sustainability impact on the campus-wide community. Research projects that are limited to individual personal gain will not be funded.

Why would my proposal not receive SSC funding?

Below are a few of the most common reasons.

• The project was not in compliance with SSC’s funding requirements.
• The application or presentation was too vague.
• The project did not benefit the campus-wide community.
• Funding is competitive. We receive many applications for projects every semester and have a limited budget.
• Failure to comply with the Step 1 or Step 2 application procedure.
• The project was deemed not feasible.

What happens if I do not submit my Progress Reports and/or Final Project Reports on time?

Project applicants who do not submit required project documentation on time may be disqualified from submitting future applications for SSC funding.

What if my faculty advisor/financial advisor/team members have changed?

Project members can update their team members’ information by submitting a SSC Project Contact Information Change Form.