Whether you’re planning a campus-wide event, launching a new initiative, or curious about how your fees enhance student spaces, we’re here to help. Every term, we provide funding that empowers you to improve campus life, foster belonging, and make a real impact.

Submissions to both the Student Life Endowment Fund (SLEF) and Equity, Opportunity, and Innovation Fund (EOI) can be submitted to the SLEF Funding Council Proposal Form.

About Funding

We believe students know best what students need. That’s why we offer funding to support student-led ideas that benefit the campus community. Through our funding programs, we’ve supported everything from mental health initiatives and cultural showcases to sustainability projects and academic skill-building events. 

Important Info

Deadline: Reviewed every May, July, September, November, January, and March

Who decides? A student-led Funding Council reviews and approves grants each cycle.

You can find all past funding decisions, Funding Rules and Guidelines, SLEF Board agendas, SLEF logo/assets, and the funds Constitution and bylaws in our public Funding SharePoint.

What Can You Apply For?

There are two main funding streams available to undergraduates:

1. Student Life Endowment Fund (SLEF)

Here are just some of the things students have made possible with this funding. 

Two women in elaborate costumes and crowns stand on stage with a misty, blue-lit background.

Fashion for Change Arcana Showcase

A band performs on stage with a singer-guitarist, bassist, and drummer under colorful lights.

Jam Network Student Concert

Two people in suits hold trophies in front of a banner for "The GH Cup International Mooting Competition.

UW Moot Court Competition

A group of young adults in green outfits and accessories pose together at a lively party with bright lighting.

UWCSA Midnight Social

Three performers in lion dance costumes and masks dance indoors during a cultural celebration.

UWVSA Lunar New Year Festival

Do you want to improve student spaces, run a standout campus event, or launch a project that makes student life better? Apply to the Student Life Endowment Fund (SLEF) today!

Total Fund: Since the Spring of 1992, undergraduate student contributions have grown the Fund to over $7 million. Interest generated each year is allocated to projects on campus by the Funding Council: for students, by students.

SLEF funds the following areas:

  • The improvement of health, wellness, and safety on all campuses;
  • The improvement of accessibility on all campuses;
  • Building a stronger student community;
  • The renovation to student operated or managed spaces;
  • The improvement of current lounge and study spaces;
  • Joint projects with Municipal or Regional governments that improve student wellbeing;
  • And generally, the improvement of student life on campus

2. Equity, Opportunity, and Innovation Fund (EOI)

Here are just some of the things students have made possible with this funding. 

A panel of five speakers sits on stage at an industry event with an audience seated at round tables.

UW Aviation Society Gala

A breakdancer balances on one arm while performing for a crowd in an indoor dance competition.

UW Breakers Ground FX Competition

Two people play chess in a focused tournament setting with others competing in the background.

UW Chess Club Canadian University Chess Championship

This fund exists to assist with projects that bring awareness to systemic issues borne by marginalized groups on campus, support professional development opportunities like conferences and competitions, and fund the costs of new projects that benefit students on campus.

Total Fund: Today the EOI fund stands in excess of $1 million, and uses the interest generated to fund student-led projects as evaluated by the Funding Council.

EOI funds the following areas and aims for the attached percentage breakdown of funding:

  • EQUITY (25%): Promote a safer, healthier and more accepting campus
    • remove barriers for equity-seeking or Indigenous communities;
    • demonstrate meaningful consultation with those communities;
    • amplify under-represented voices on campus;
  • OPPORTUNITY (25%): Individual students or student groups who wish to engage in projects, conferences, or other experiences that promote professional development. Funding should not typically exceed $1000 per student.
  • INNOVATION (50%): New student-led initiatives that will provide a lasting benefit to undergraduate students and/or promote innovation on campus.

Month

Application Deadline (11:59 EST)     

Funding Council Meetings

May 2026

June 1st

June 4th

July 2026

TBD

TBD

September 2026   

TBD

TBD

November 2026

TBD

TBD

January 2027

TBD

TBD

March 2027

TBD

TBD
  1. Complete the online application form and submit it before the funding deadline to be considered in that cycle. Late submissions will be considered in subsequent cycles (usually in two months).
  2. You or a representative may be asked to attend a Funding Committee meeting to present your request and answer questions.
  3. You should hear back on funding decisions within 1-2 weeks of the deadline!
  4. If granted funding, your event or project should acknowledge the contribution of SLEF/EOI through social media, event promotions, or other reasonable means.
  5. Please ensure that a complete and formal estimate of costs is included with your submission for each item and option. This may include invoices, online quotes or costs given by Plant Operations on campus. They can be contacted at extension x36318 and will need two weeks to give a full estimate.
  6. Funding is open to full-time undergraduate students only.
  7. Note that expenses incurred before Funding Committee approval will not be retroactively reimbursed: you may only begin spending after being approved!
  8. The amount you receive is what you will be funded. If your purchase price is higher than expected, it is your responsibility to cover the difference.
  9. You may not submit reimbursements for different expenses then that which the Funding Committee has approved. If you wish to modify or re-allocate previous grants, you must submit a new proposal.
  10. All reimbursements must be submitted within one year of the granting of funds. If you fail to submit all invoices and receipts by that date, your funding will be forfeited, unless an exception is granted by the Funding Committee Chair.

Past funding decisions can now be found within our Funding Sharepoint site.

Please readthrough our SLEF Procedures & Funding Guidelines.

These are all of the rules you must follow when applying and if you are funded, and also the guidelines Funding Council will use to evaluate applications.

SLEF is overseen by a Board and Funding Council. The Board is made of of WUSA representatives, University Admin, undergrad students, and alumni. Funding Council is made up of undergrad students and is the body that approves Funding Grants.

Bylaws, Constitution, Agreements, and other governing documents of the fund can be found at the following areas:

Questions or concerns about SLEF/EOI?

Email slef@wusa.ca

Undergraduate Student Capital Program

A group of people socializing in a lounge with sofas, wall art, and colorful hats on display.

POETS: Engineering Society Lounge

Four students study with laptops and notebooks at a table in a modern lounge with large windows.

MC Comfy: Math Society Lounge

You may not apply to this fund directly — but you benefit from it every day.

The Undergraduate Student Capital Program helps maintain, upgrade, and expand key student spaces across campus. Funded through a small termly fee, it supports everything from fresh renovations in your favourite lounges to major upgrades in shared spaces like the SLC.

Whether it’s more comfortable study zones, better accessibility, or long-overdue maintenance in student-run areas like MC Comfy and POETS, this funding ensures the spaces you rely on stay functional, welcoming, and built for you.

Fee Schedule:
  • Spring 2024: $16.68
  • Fall 2024: $17.33
  • Winter 2025: $17.33
  • Spring 2025: $17.33
Check out the latest improvements made possible by this fund.