Establishing a New Award

Student awards are a significant part of the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences's (CSAHS) efforts to help students succeed. Over 200 CSAHS-specific awards, totaling over $500,000 are distributed annually, thanks to the generous support of alumni, donors and partners. Establishing an award is a truly meaningful way to improve the lives of students.
Building the Foundation
To begin the conversation about the award you would like to create, here is an overview of the options to consider. Once you've reflected on the impact you would like to make, a representative from the Alumni Affairs and Development team in CSAHS will help you accomplish your philanthropic goal of establishing an award.
Elizabeth Rauchenstein
Senior Development Manager
Email: erauchen@uoguelph.ca
Jinetta Inch
Development Manager
Email: inchj@uoguelph.ca
Step 1: Decide on the Funding Source
Option A: Annual
Award distribution will be dependent on the duration of your donation. Minimum commitment of five (5) years required.
Option B: Endowment
Funds are invested into an endowment and the interest is used to fund the award in perpetuity. Funds need to be invested for one full fiscal year (May-April) prior to awarding and are subject to the annual endowment return performance. More information is available in the University's Endowment Investment Policy.
Step 2: Select Academic Level
Undergraduate
Students enrolled in any CSAHS undergraduate program.
- Annual minimum: $2,500 for a scholarship, bursary or travel grant. $1,000 for a prize which is awarded to a graduating student.
- Endowed minimum: $80,000 to establish a $2,500 award in perpetuity. $30,000 to establish a $1,000 prize in perpetuity.
Graduate
Students enrolled in a CSAHS master or doctoral program.
- Annual minimum: $5,000
- Endowed minimum: $150,000 to establish a $5,000 award in perpetuity. This accounts for the first two years of expendable funding to ensure more timely distribution, or distribution in the event of an endowment performance that results in no allocation.
Step 3: Consider the Student
- Entrance: Students entering their first year of study. The total award value will be split in equal installments, typically paid out semesterly through the first year.
- In-course: Students currently registered in an academic term. Distributed in the Fall or Winter.
- Graduating: Students who have completed their program. Distributed in Spring.
- Travel: Students participating in a curriculum-embedded travel opportunity or pursuing a research or skill development opportunity.
Step 4: Choose the Award Type
Bursary
Provided to students on the basis of financial need. Eligible students must be Canadian or permanent residents. Bursaries are not required for graduate students as the University provides institutional level support. Due to the private nature of financial need, bursaries are not included in award events, and recipients must consent to release their name to donors.
Scholarship
Provided on the basis of academic achievement and/or non-academic merit (e.g. extra-curricular activities, demonstrated leadership, volunteerism). Recipients are acknowledged for their past achievements, and the award is given to encourage further study and accomplishment. Academic achievement for graduate students can be measured by research productivity (publications, presentations, conferences, experience), and/or coursework, and faculty assessment. Presented at an annual fall awards event.
Prize
Based on completed academic achievement and/or non- academic merit. Applicable to graduating students only.
Travel Grant
Provided to students who wish to travel as part of their studies. Travel grants are used to offset the additional costs of travel (e.g. airfare, registration fees, vaccinations, meals, accommodations). Travel grants may be distributed throughout the year. Travel grants must align with Safe International Travel Policy for Students.
Step 5: Consider Eligibility and Selection
Consider what matters most to you: supporting students in financial need, or supporting students based on past merit, or a combination. Reach out to one of our fundraising team who can share ideas and recommendations that align with your goals. Thank you for considering student support!
Crafting Your Award
A new award can be tailored based on the criteria that is meaningful to you through eligibility, selection criteria, and conditions. Like an inverted triangle, we start broadly with eligibility and narrow the criteria down to fit your intended recipient.
Eligibility
Academic level, academic unit, degree program, research area, travel (exchange, conference, research), course completion, financial need, etc.
Selection
Academic proficiency, research performance, financial need, leadership, extra-curricular involvement, experience, background, etc.
Conditions
Tenability (can the award be held more than once?), preference (non-essential considerations), renewal.
Example
Undergraduate entrance scholarship for a student studying International Development who demonstrates academic excellence.
- Eligibility: Undergraduate student entering the Bachelor of Arts program with a major in International Development.
- Selection: Academic excellence.