The Student Experience Fund

The Student Experience Fund (SEF) is a reimbursement-based fund designed to provide financial support of up to $1500 for students to participate in experiential learning opportunities that focus on skill development, career exploration, community engagement, or hands-on learning.

Successful SEF experiences work as follows:

Student submits a proposal with expected costs.
Funding is approved.
Student completes the experience and incurs costs.
Student submits receipts and is reimbursed.

What types of activities may be eligible?

What are the application deadlines?

Applications will be accepted for review at the following deadlines before 4 p.m. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Friday, July 22, 2022
Friday, October 21, 2022

More deadlines for the 2022-2023 academic year will be announced before October 21.

How are funds released?

The Student Experience Fund is reimbursement-based. That is, students are not awarded funds until after they have provided receipts of expenditures. Normally, reimbursements take 3-4 weeks to process.

Is travel permitted for SEF experiences?

No, not currently. As of December 15, 2021, the federal government is advising against all non-essential travel outside Canada due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To monitor the situation, check the Government of Canada’s latest travel advisories.

McMaster University/EE cannot fund an activity if travel warnings issued by Global Affairs Canada advise Canadians to avoid travel to the location of the student experience for any reason.

What should a funding proposal look like? How do you submit it?

Review the Student Experience Fund Guidelines for complete information and details about the Student Experience Fund, including these questions and more.