Through diverse experiential learning opportunities, the college aims to expand students' business perspectives, enhance their marketability and help them define their personal brand.
Experiential learning involves learning by doing, bridging knowledge and experience through critical reflection. The fund supports extracurricular activities such as case competitions and presentations at conferences, providing opportunities for students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings.
Contact
Sabrina Arismendez
Project Coordinator -- Experiential Learning
cobexp.learning@utsa.edu
Experiential Learning Fund
- Students must be enrolled as undergraduates or graduate students in the Alvarez College of Business and be in good standing with a minimum 2.5 GPA.
- Undergraduates must have completed 15 hours of UTSA coursework, and graduate students must have completed 9 hours of UTSA coursework.
- The experience must take place during the application term of the awarded scholarship (fall and spring).
- Funding is not available in the summer session following graduation.
- If the request is approved, students can only receive experiential learning funding once an academic year.
- To qualify, students must not have been a prior recipient of the Experiential Learning Fund.
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, starting immediately, until funding is exhausted.
- Students may apply for any amount between $100-$1,500.
- Submit Experiential Learning Fund request form
- Provide detailed information and itemized budget for the proposed experience
- Develop a 150-word essay describing how the experience will impact your professional and academic development
- After participation in the student activity, submit photos and the required reflection form.
- Requests must be submitted 21 days before the start of the program, but it is recommended to submit as soon as the program opportunity becomes available.
- Submit Experiential Learning Fund request form and include each student participant information
- Group funding is only available for up to 6 students.
- It is essential that at least 2 organizaton members and a faculty advisor are involved in the Experiential Learning Fund process, regardless of who is requesting funds. All members who seek support from the fund must follow the policies and deadlines set. It is the organization's responsibility to collect all relevant information regarding the experience in which they need support. For instance, students need to conduct thorough research on the event including its theme, objectives, schedule, rules or requirements, registration deadlines and agenda.
- Provide detailed information and itemized budget for the proposed experience
- Advisor or faculty sponsor signature is required for student activity (example case competitions).
- Advisor or sponsor funding will be provided if a coach is required during the trip. Proof of coach role needs to be submitted.
- Advisor or sponsor funding is available for flight and accommodation only.
- Develop a 150-word essay describing how the experience will impact your professional and academic development.
- After participation in the student activity, submit photos and the required reflection form.
- Group requests must be submitted 30 days in advance to be considered. But we recommend that you submit as soon as the program opportunity becomes available.
- Each group request must have at least two student leads and the faculty advisor who will serve as primary contacts for the group and who work directly with the project coordinator to ensure the group completes tasks required by the fund promptly.
What Is Covered
The fund will support one or more of the following items:
- Registration fees
- Accommodation: hotel
- Travel: airfare
- Mileage reimbursement
All funding must align with UTSA and state policies and procedures. For group travel, all airline tickets will be departing and returning on the same travel dates. Changes to approved travel arrangements are not allowed. No exceptions.
Funding allocations may vary based on individual and group funding applications. Funding amount is subject to change due to budget allocations.
What Is Not Covered
The Experiential Learning Fund will not cover meals, incidentals of any kind, i.e., hotel expenses outside of room reservations, deviations to airfare from approved program travel, Uber/Lyft or transportation to and from the airport including parking.
- Submit form
- Schedule a meeting with project coordinator
- Requestor will receive a letter approving or denying request.
- If approved, purchase accommodations.
- When experience is complete, submit reflection form and photographs.
Student
The student will be responsible for gathering information about the case competition or conference they are attending. For example, the students should thoroughly research the event. This includes understanding the theme, objectives, schedule and any specific rules or requirements, registration deadlines, agenda, etc.
Student Organization
It is essential that the president, vice president and faculty advisor are involved in the Experiential Learning Fund Process, regardless of who is requesting funds. All members who seek support from the fund must follow the policies and deadlines set. It is the organization's responsibility to collect all relevant information regarding the case competition and/or conference for which they need support. For instance, the students need to conduct thorough research on the event, including its theme, objectives, schedule, specific rules or requirements, registration deadlines and agenda.
Faculty Advisor
The role of the faculty advisor is to review the submission of the experiential learning fund request.
Fall 2024 Deadline
To be considered for funding from the Experiential Learning Fund for activities occurring in the Fall 2024 semester, the online request form must be completed by Friday, Nov. 22. Please ensure you submit your form by this deadline.
Experiential Learning Fund FAQ
If you are seeking individual or group funding through the Experiential Learning Fund, you must have a participatory role (i.e. case competition or presentation) in the experiential learning activity you or your group are planning to attend. Being an attendee at a conference does not count as having a participatory role.
Once your request has been submitted, a meeting will be scheduled with you or your group and the project coordinator to discuss your request. Once your request has been reviewed, an official letter will be sent regarding your approval status. Any next steps will be coordinated by the project coordinator.
To apply for the Experiential Learning Fund, an official request form must be completed. Once submitted, your request will be reviewed and a follow-up meeting will be scheduled. Any next steps will be coordinated by the project coordinator.
The Experiential Learning Fund will support one or more of the following items: conference registration fees, hotel, airfare or mileage reimbursement.
Upon your return from your Experiential Learning activity, the project coordinator will send an email with information regarding the post-experience reflection form. It is important that the reflection form along with any photos from your experience are submitted by the provided deadline.
If you are a group looking to fund an Experiential Learning activity, please be sure to review the program guidelines and submit an official Experiential Learning Fund request form. Please note that the Experiential Learning Fund will only cover funding for up to six students and one advisor or faculty member (if an advisor or faculty role is required).
If the advisor or faculty member have a direct role in the experiential learning activity, they are also welcome to be included in the group’s application. Please be sure to link any guidelines regarding advisor or faculty roles in your request form. The Experiential Learning Fund will cover flight and accommodation only for advisor and faculty roles.
