SSAF Student Experience Initiative Grant

Our SSAF Student Experience Initiative grants give you the opportunity to plan and deliver a project that benefits VU students.

Grants are available for amounts between $500 and $10,000.

Your grant funds come directly from the student services and amenities fee (SSAF), so it’s your opportunity to make great things happen at VU.

Application criteria

Applications are assessed by the SSAF Grant Assessment Panel Committee. This committee is made up of student representatives with staff supervision.

The panel allocates funding based on how applications address one or more of the government-prescribed purposes for SSAF revenue ("essential criteria"), as well as the ranking criteria outlined below. For more information, read the below sections or download the application guidelines.

Student Experience Initiative Grants application guidelines (PDF, 183.36 KB)

Essential criteria

Any SSAF-funded activity must contribute to the student experience in one or more of the following ways:

Food, health & wellbeing

Providing food or drink to students on campus.
Promoting the health or welfare of students.
Helping meet the specific needs of overseas students relating to their welfare, accommodation and employment.

Clubs, activities & recreation

Supporting a sporting or other recreational activity by students.
Supporting the administration of a club most of whose members are students.
Supporting debating by students.
Supporting an artistic activity by students.
Supporting the production and dissemination to students of media whose content is provided by students.

Student support & services

Caring for children of students.
Providing legal services to students.
Helping students secure accommodation.
Helping students obtain employment or advice on careers.
Helping students with their financial affairs.
Helping students obtain insurance against personal accidents.
Providing libraries and reading rooms (other than those provided for academic purposes) for students.

Advice, advocacy & orientation

Helping students develop skills for study, by means other than undertaking courses of study in which they are enrolled.
Advising on matters arising under Victoria University’s rules.
Advocating students’ interests in matters arising under Victoria University’s rules.
Giving students information to help them in their orientation.

Ranking criteria

Applications will be ranked by the following criteria:

How the project aligns with SSAF priorities: Tell us how your project aligns with the essential criteria above and the needs of VU students.
If the project is clear and feasible: What is the project scope, objectives and timeline? Can you show that the project is achievable within your proposed timeframe?
The potential reach and impact: How will your project will deliver significant, inclusive benefits to a broad section of students?
How you’ll measure and evaluate success: What methods will you use to measure project success (e.g. surveys, attendance records, digital metrics)? These measures should align with stated outcomes.
How your project is costed and why it’s worth it: Provide a reasonable, detailed and justified budget that represents good value for money and aligns with the proposed activities.
The long-term impact of the project: Is the project sustainable in the long-term? Will this project have a positive impact beyond the SSAF funding period?
Confidence that the project will succeed: Do you or your team have the capability, experience or institutional support required to deliver the project effectively?

What happens after you apply

All submitted applications will undergo an initial review and pre-screening process to make sure they are ready for the assessment panel.

1-2 weeks after closing date

Eligible applications are presented to an assessment panel of at least 4 student representatives from the SSAF Grant Assessment Panel Committee. The panel assesses each application against the criteria and decides if it’s approved.

You will be notified of the outcome via email. If you’re not successful, you’ll receive feedback on your submission.

4-5 weeks after approval

If your submission is part of a club, student group or university organisation (for example, VU Student Union or VU Postgraduate Association), you will receive funds in the designated cost centre/ bank account.

Otherwise, you will receive confirmation that you can purchase approved project items upfront and request reimbursement. Reimbursements are processed upon submission of valid invoices and proof of payment in accordance with the spending and invoice guidelines.