UCI Student Outreach and Retention Center

The "SOARing for Education" Affiliation program is designed to promote community building amongst different campus registered student organizations and the SOAR Center to work together and uplift the mission and vision of the center. SOARing for Education will develop authentic student leaders that will be equipped with the tools, skills, and knowledge to execute innovative, student-initiated outreach and retention programs through mentorship and student led trainings. The outreach and retention programs will foster critical dialogue, mentorship and reimagine the educational system to improve college access, retention, and graduation rates for historically underrepresented and under-resourced  communities in higher education. 

The program aspires to build a coalition network of students leaders that would help to challenge inequities faced by underrepresented and underserved students and advocate for resources to better serve our community. Please note that your registered campus organization must become a SOAR Affiliate in order to apply for retention and outreach grants.

We encourage your organization to submit the affiliation form before Sunday, October 16th, 2022.

If you have any questions please email soaring@uci.edu.

Please fully read the Guidelines and Grant Process sections before applying for a retention grant!

Guidelines: 

1. Project must be initiated by a UCI undergraduate Registered Campus Organization (RCO) and must meet the definition of Student-Initiated (created and/or led by students). 
2. RCO must register to be a "SOARing for Education" affiliate with the SOAR Center.
3. Each RCO can only submit 1 (one) SIP retention grant application per funding request. RCOs may submit multiple grant applications per academic year, but priority will be given to organizations applying for funding for the first time during 2022-2023 since funds are limited. The maximum funding request per SIP retention grant application is $3,000. Note: Maximum of $200 can be applied for gift cards per application. Gift card requests beyond this amount will be denied.
4. Grant applications must be complete and accurate. Any misinformation may forfeit current or future funding. 
5. Late applications will not be accepted. 
6. Project must be working toward one or both of the UCOP goals of:

• Increasing academic preparation of low income, underrepresented, first generation, or English learners, etc 
• Increasing retention for program participants

Project must be implemented between now and June 2023. 

Note: Funds are limited and may be partial depending upon merit, availability of funds, and funding support from other sources. Information about what items may be funding can be found at: bit.ly/328S9pT and in the Affiliate Google Drive along with information about ASUCI's Reimbursement Process.

Grant Process:

1. Submit your application by Sunday November 20, 2022 at 11:59pm. 

2. The SOAR Funding Board will carefully review each application and deliberate on whether to fund each project and if granted funding determine funding amount. 

3. If granted funding, RCO's must meet with SOAR Affiliate Co-Chairs & Pro Staff to review grant award and review advising schedule.

4. Data cards must be completed and on file at the end of the program. 

5. Evaluations are mandatory. Applications will not be considered if evaluations from previously funded SIR programs are not on file and/or turned in on time. Observe deadlines. If new to Student-Initiated Project grants, your organization must demonstrate experience or meet consistently with SOAR staff to receive advising to effectively execute program.

6. Please note that if your organization fails to submit program evaluations by the end of the academic year, grant applications submitted during the following academic year will not receive priority review. Failure to submit program evaluations 5+ years in a row will decrease the maximum amount of funding your organization can apply for by 50% (i.e., your organization can only apply for $1,500 in RSIP funds instead of the standard $3,000).

Please fully read the Guidelines and Grant Process sections before applying for an outreach grant!

Guidelines:
 

1. Project must be initiated by a UCI undergraduate Registered Campus Organization (RCO) and must meet the definition of Student-Initiated. 
2. RCO must register to be a SOARing for Education Affiliate with the SOAR Center.
3. Each RCO can only submit 1 (one) SIP outreach grant application per funding request. Priority will be given to organizations that have historically affiliated and have been previously funded by SOAR. Funds are limited; the maximum funding request per SIP outreach grant application is $10,000. Note: Maximum of $200 can be applied for gift cards per application. Gift card requests beyond this amount will be denied.
4. Grant applications must be complete and accurate. Any misinformation may forfeit current or future funding. 
5. Late applications will not be accepted.
6. Project must be working toward one or both of the UCOP goals of:

• Increasing academic preparation of low income, underrepresented, first generation, or English learners
• Increasing college enrollment for program participants
• Project must be implemented between now and June 2023. 

 Note: Funds are limited and may be partial depending upon merit, availability of funds, and funding support from other sources. Information about what items may be funding can be found at: bit.ly/328S9pT and in the affiliate google drive along with information about purchasing process through the SOAR Center. 

Grant Process:

1. Submit your application by Sunday November 6, 2022 by 11:59pm. 
2. The SOAR Funding Board will carefully review each application within 15 business days and deliberate on whether to fund each project and if granted funding determine funding amount. 
3.  If granted funding, RCO's must meet with SOAR Affiliate Co-Chairs & Pro Staff to review grant award and review advising schedule. 
4. Data cards must be completed and on file at the end of the program.
5. Evaluations are mandatory. Applications will not be considered if evaluations from previously funded SIO programs are not on file and/or turned in on time. Observe deadlines. If new to Student-Initiated Project grants, your organization must demonstrate experience or meet consistently with SOAR staff to receive advising to effectively execute program. 
6. Please note that if your organization fails to submit program evaluations by the end of the academic year, grant applications submitted during the following academic year will not receive priority review. Failure to submit program evaluations 5+ years in a row will decrease the maximum amount of funding your organization can apply for by 50% (i.e., your organization can only apply for $5,000 in OSIP funds instead of the standard $10,000).