About Skill-Building Funding Program

The Greene Center, in line with our Strategic Plan, is offering funding for online programs or trainings that support student career interests, exploration, and competency development.

Learning opportunities can complement learning already taking place in the academic classroom, and/or may focus more specifically into particular skill sets or industry sectors, including topics such as programming languages, business and marketing, data science, entrepreneurship, finance, software basics, and others.

Opportunities must follow these guidelines:

1. Offered by a known and credible online learning provider. These may include but are not limited to Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, IDEO, LifeLabs Learning, Tableau, Google, CodeAcademy, Allison, Canva, Adobe, and CreativeLife.
2. Courses are focused on developing a skillset or mindset valuable to the student and their career interests, or to potential future employment opportunities.
3. Include at least 8 hours of instruction and individual work, and result in a final assessment or project that is shared with other students or the course instructors. If due to the nature of the program that is not an option, examples of work should be submitted to the Funding Coordinator.
4. You will also complete an evaluation of the opportunity or course, which will become part of a shared library for other students and alumni.

Skill-Building Funds are available thanks to the generous gifts of University of Rochester friends and alumni who believe in the importance of experiential opportunities.

Eligibility

• Undergraduate students who will continue enrollment into fall 2024
  • We will also have very limited funding available for graduate students who are enrolled through fall 2024
• Enrolled in the Colleges of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering for at least one degree program
• Learning opportunity has a standard program fee or course tuition, but is not credit bearing through a higher education institution

Not Eligible for Funding

• Learning opportunities that do not provide learner with portable and demonstrated skill development, experience, or project-based learning
• Courses taken through another higher education institution for credit

Funding Guidelines

• In order to maximize our ability to support as many students as possible, we are limiting funding to $250 per student for each semester (i.e. fall and spring)
• Please be aware that funding is not guaranteed simply by submitting an application

Application Process

• Determine learning opportunity you would like to participate in
• Career advisors in the Greene Center are available throughout the semester to discuss options with you. The Greene Center has a list of pre-approved options at http://www.rochester.edu/careercenter/experience/success-skills.html, and add to this throughout the year.
• Complete the online application for funding assistance
• Once approved, participate in course, and complete evaluation provided by the Greene Center (REQUIRED)

Evaluation and Payment Process for Skill-Building Funds

Applications are evaluated based on funding requested and the rubric provided. Funding is NOT guaranteed. For this reason, please submit an application prior to purchasing an online learning opportunity, materials, software, subscriptions, etc. as your request for funding may not be approved.

Award amounts are based on full or partial coverage of learning opportunity registration and materials or software cost. Many online learning providers offer scholarships, free or discounted accounts, etc., so please do your due dilligence on this prior to applying for funding.

Awards will be processed as reimbursements only. Once you receive notification about your application, you will need to register for the learning opportunity, and forward your receipt to Christina Pero at christina.pero@rochester.edu. 

If you have not already done so, you must set up how you want to receive reimbursements, either via direct deposit or check. Workday calls this Payment Election for Expense Payment type. Link to set up direct deposit: https://www.rochester.edu/adminfinance/urfinancials/training/expense-management-training/expense-management-reference-materials/.

Please note: the University only authorizes reimbursements on receipts that are submitted within 30 days of the purchase date. Anything beyond that time frame will not be accepted for reimbursement.

Each receipt must include the date of the transaction, nature of the transaction, details of the vendor, method of payment, and any additional taxes or costs.

Screenshots of bank statements, app details, or other unofficial documents will not be accepted as authorized receipts and will not be eligible for reimbursement.

Academic Information:

Please describe how you researched each of your estimated expenses, any additional sources of support you'll be utilizing, how you will maximize any funding granted, and why receiving funding is important in completing this experience. (Limit 500 words)

Please describe your motivation for completing this skill-building opportunity, the connections you see between this experience and your academic and/or career interests, and how this experience will help you develop career competencies critical for future success. (Limit 500 words)

Grading Rubric for Application:

 

By signing (typing your legal name) in the space below, you are certifying that all information is correct and that you are the person completing this application. When you press the submit button, you will receive an email confirmation that your application was received. Please print for your records and retain as verification of your application.