Project Compass Student Partner Project Proposal INSTRUCTIONS

Transcription

1 INSTRUCTIONS This student grant project is made possible by the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, which is committed to increasing the numbers of students in underrepresented groups who thrive in and graduate from colleges and universities in New England. The Foundation defines underrepresented groups as those who are the first in their family to attend college, who are from families of modest income, or who are members of minority populations. The goal of the student grant program is to create opportunities for students from each Project Compassfunded campus to contribute directly to innovations around student success. We hope that in the spring semester of 2011 there will be at least one project at each campus which raises awareness about the assets of students in underrepresented groups and contributes to their success in college. The student grant proposal has four parts: (1) cover sheet, (2) full project description, (3) project budget, and (4) letters of support from one staff member and one faculty member. To apply for a grant, completed versions of the documents above must be ed by November 30, 2010 to thara.fuller@umb.edu. Grant applicants will be notified of the review committee s decisions no later than December 15, Funded students will be asked to post materials from their projects on the Project Compass website and to present their project results either at the February 4 5, 2011 Project Compass Learning Community Meeting in Portsmouth, NH, or at a different Project Compass event to be arranged. The following are answers to questions that student applicants may have about the grant process: How long do I have to complete the work? You must be able to document completion of the project in your final report, which is due March 31, When will I receive the grant funds? When you are notified of the funding award, NERCHE will process payment of half the award right away. It will take about one month for the check to arrive. The other half of the payment will be sent when we receive your final report at the end of March Can I do the project as a team with other students? Yes. If you re interested in involving others, fill out a single proposal that includes a plan for the responsibilities and time commitments of each person who is involved. Then each team member will need to submit a final report. If you are interested in working with others, discuss your ideas with Thara Fuller before submitting the proposal. Project Compass Student Partner Project Proposal Page 1

2 How much are the funding awards? The maximum grant to a student is $1,000, with a cap of $2,000 per campus. Average grants will be approximately $500. What are the criteria NERCHE will use in reviewing student grant proposals? Proposals will be reviewed using the following criteria: Number of hours of work estimated: Is the staff time enough to successfully complete the project as described? Is the estimate realistic, given other involvements the students discuss in the proposal? If it is a joint project, are the time commitments and responsibilities well defined and matched to the goals of the project in a logical, reasonable way? Other estimated expenses: Is the breakdown of costs accurate and reasonable for the scope of the project? What are the guidelines for the letters of support? Each letter should state in no more than one page why the person has confidence in your ability to successfully complete your proposed project. It will be helpful to show the proposal guidelines and requirements to the people you ask to write these letters. It would be acceptable for one letter to come from the person who accompanied you to the Learning Community Meeting and who is serving as your guide to Project Compass. What do I do if I have questions or issues related to the project? Your first point of contact should be the staff or faculty member serving as your liaison to Project Compass because this person knows you and knows the resources available at your school. However, if you have questions about the proposal or any of the project guidelines, you may also contact Thara Fuller at NERCHE. Her contact information is listed below. Questions? Please contact: Thara Fuller Project Coordinator, Project Compass Phone: thara.fuller@umb.edu Project Compass Student Partner Project Proposal Page 2

3 COVER SHEET 1. Your name(s): 2. Name of your college or university: 3. For each member of the project team, please provide the following information: Name Mailing Address Address Phone Number 4. Project title: 5. Amount requested: 6. Summary of the project for posting on the Project Compass website (one paragraph stating goals and planned activities): 7. Full Project Description [ ] attached 8. Project Budget (using template provided) [ ] attached Project Compass Student Partner Project Proposal Page 3

4 FULL PROJECT DESCRIPTION In one to two pages, describe your plans for the project, addressing each of the points below: (a) Why is this project important for the students at your campus, i.e., what problem or need will it address that relates to the goals of Project Compass? (b) Explain the activities you intend to carry out and what results you want to achieve through these activities. (c) Discuss your professional and personal experiences, knowledge, or skills that will help you succeed with this project. (d) Explain how many hours will be required and how you will accomplish the work given other commitments you have, e.g. academic work, job, or club activities. For example, will the work happen primarily during one particular month or will it be spread out? If you are going to work as a team, explain how the work will be distributed among the members. (e) What products do you expect to include with your final report in March (e.g., photos of events, documents you create, or videos)? Project Compass Student Partner Project Proposal Page 4

5 PROJECT BUDGET Use this sample template as guidance to provide a detailed breakdown of all estimated costs for the project. Note that you cannot purchase equipment, such as computers or computer components, with grant funds. You must also submit receipts for any materials that cost $25 or more. The examples in this chart are hypothetical costs for a project involving creation of a video of students who are the first in their family to attend college. Budget Category: Estimated Hours of Work Expense details Subtotal Student #1 (Fill in name) $120 3 hours per week for 4 weeks=12 hours@$10/hr Student #2 (Fill in name) $120 3 hours per week for 4 weeks=12 hours@$10/hr Budget Category: Materials Expense details Subtotal Snacks for 10 interview participants: $24 2 bottles of soda=$ large pizzas=$20.00 Video camera rental =$50 $50 Project Total $314 Project Compass Student Partner Project Proposal Page 5