This governance framework establishes the UWSA Student Support Fund as a one-time financial support mechanism for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The Fund responds to the current financial and operational conditions at the University of Windsor, including the implementation of zero-based budgeting (ZBB), which has resulted in the reduction or elimination of certain student-facing initiatives that previously contributed to the undergraduate student experience.

1. The UWSA Finance Committee shall administer and oversee the Student Support Fund in accordance with this governance framework.

2. The UWSA Executives shall support the implementation and operational execution of the Fund as required.

1. Mitigate negative impacts of current financial and operational conditions on the undergraduate student experience;

2. Sustain or support student-facing initiatives that have experienced reduced, constrained, or reallocated funding;

3. Enable new or adapted student-led or student-serving initiatives that clearly enhance the undergraduate student experience but are unable to secure funding under current conditions;

4. Ensure funding decisions are fair, transparent, and appropriately documented;

5. Ensure funded initiatives demonstrate a clear and measurable benefit to the undergraduate student experience.

• Total Allocation: $50,000 (one-time)

• Maximum Grant Per Application: $0–$10,000

• Fiscal Year: 2025-2026

• Nature of Fund: Non-renewable, one-time grant program

Applications may be submitted by student-led or student-serving applicants, provided the request clearly benefits undergraduate students. Eligible applicants include:

• UWSA-ratified student groups;

• Student-led groups, teams, or initiatives; and

• Student-serving initiatives where undergraduate students are the primary beneficiaries.

  • For the purposes of this Fund, a “student-serving initiative” may include a University of Windsor department, faculty, office, or administrative unit only where the proposed initiative is demonstrably student-facing and undergraduate students are the primary beneficiaries.

Applications will not be considered from:

• Individual students seeking personal financial assistance;

• Graduate-focused initiatives;

• Requests intended to backfill core University operational costs; and

• Projects that are already adequately or fully funded through other confirmed sources, such that additional funding is not reasonably required.

Applications for the UWSA Student Support Fund will open on February 17, 2026 and close on March 17, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Applications received after the deadline, or those deemed incomplete, may not be considered.

All applications must be submitted through the prescribed online application form found on this page. Applicants are expected to answer all questions thoroughly and upload a detailed project budget.

At minimum, applications must include sufficient information to allow the UWSA Finance Committee to assess the request, including:

1. Applicant Information

Identification of the applicant and any affiliated student group, department, initiative, or student-serving organization.

2. Description of the Initiative

A clear description of the initiative, service, or project for which funding is requested, including its purpose, scope, and implementation timeline.

3. Impact of Current Financial Conditions

An explanation of how current financial or operational conditions have affected the initiative, limited access to funding, or created a need for support.

4. Student Experience Impact

A clear explanation of how the requested funding will directly and meaningfully benefit undergraduate students and enhance the undergraduate student experience. Additionally. applicants must outline how the project/initiative targets the fund’s objectives.

5. Evidence of Need and Expected Outcomes

Information on the expected reach of the initiative, how success will be measured, and (where applicable) evidence that undergraduate students want or need the initiative.

6. Financial Information and Budget

A detailed, itemized project budget outlining:

• Total project cost

• Amount requested from the Fund (up to $10,000)

• Intended use of funds

• Any confirmed or pending funding from other sources

7. Use of Funds and Funding Context

An explanation of how the requested funding will be used, what it will make possible, and what would happen to the initiative if funding is not received.

8. One-Time Funding and Accountability Acknowledgement

Confirmation that applicants understand the Fund is one-time in nature, that updates may be requested, and that funded initiatives may be publicly shared for transparency.

The UWSA Finance Committee shall serve as the approving authority for this Fund, in accordance with the UWSA By-Laws and applicable UWSA policies. The Committee may approve applications in full or in part, impose reasonable conditions, or decline applications that do not meet the objectives of the Fund. Nothing in this governance framework limits the authority of the UWSA Board of Directors as set out in the UWSA By-Laws.

While approvals rest with the Finance Committee, the UWSA shall publicly communicate a summary of funded initiatives and approved amounts to ensure transparency and accountability.

This policy establishes a one-time fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year only and does not create precedent for future funding.