Opportunity Fund
The Stanford FLI Student Success Center Opportunity Fund is designed to financially assist undergraduate students who are experiencing an unexpected financial challenge or seeking funds for an opportunity related to their academic and/or professional development. The FLI Student Success Center completes a thorough, holistic review of each application.
FAQs
How do I get reimbursed for summer or fall expenses? The Opportunity Fund deadline for reimbursement is 45 days after purchase. I’m going to miss the deadline given the fund isn’t accepting new applications.
The deadline will be extended. Please stay tuned for more information.
I need help: my laptop is broken OR my laptop was stolen OR I don’t have a laptop and need one.
The university has lots of resources available to you.
- First of all, the Lathrop Learning Hub can loan you a laptop.
- Second, if you’re a first-year student and received a Welcome Grant, please reach out to the Financial Aid Office to discuss your situation.
- Third, everyone can reach out to the Financial Aid Office for help with the technology you need for class. If you have outside scholarships, the Financial Aid Office can work with you on a possible grant for technical assistance. Loans are also available.
- If you’re offered a loan, you can submit an application to the Opportunity Fund once it's open to see if we can help cover these expenses.Please review this description of our requirements including documentation.
Is there anything I can do while I wait to prepare to apply for an Opportunity Fund grant?
Review the Opportunity Fund information posted below. You’ll find guidance on eligibility, the application process, and what we do and don’t fund.
Where can I go if I have more questions?
You’re welcome to drop by the First Generation and/or Low-Income Student Success Center in Old Union.
Who can help with a mental health crisis for me or a friend?
If this is an emergency (where someone may harm themselves or others) call 911.
Who can help with an urgent mental health situation for me or a friend?
Here’s where you can learn more about mental health resources at Stanford, including Counseling and Psychological Services.
Who can help with other urgent situations?
Reach out to the resident director on-call at 650-504-8022.
Please review all updated policies for 2023-24 before applying, including eligibility requirements.
Incoming Freshmen/Transfers
Frosh and new transfers, the only summer reimbursement requests that will be considered when the fund opens are computer purchases (only valid if purchased after May 31st, 2023).
Graduating Seniors
The last day to apply to the Opportunity Fund for funding is April 15, 2024. Please keep this date in mind and get any and all requests for eligible expenses in by that date. We are not accepting any applications after this date, regardless of the request, unless there is an emergency. If you will be participating in graduation/commencement but are not conferring your degree at the end of spring and will be continuing your undergraduate studies in following quarters, the deadline for support for graduation related expenses is still April 15, 2024.
Co-Term and Graduate Student Support
Emergency Grant-in-Aid Funds assist graduate students who experience a financial emergency or unanticipated expenses, causing financial hardship. This program is designed to assist in situations where the emergency may impede academic progress, and for those who cannot reasonably resolve their financial difficulty through fellowships, loans, or personal resources.
Emergency Grant-in-Aid awards are grants that reimburse actual expenses. These awards are not a loan and do not need to be repaid. Emergency Grant-in-Aid awards are taxable income.
Opportunity Fund Eligibility
Effective 2023-24 AY: Students are Opp Fund eligible if the Parent Contribution on their financial aid notification is $3,500 or less. We are no longer taking into account the Student Contribution.
Here's What to Expect
You've submitted a request to the Opportunity Fund, now what? Here you can learn about what to expect during the process.
Graduation Support
The Opportunity Fund is proud to be able support seniors as they prepare for graduation. This is a milestone occasion for you and the support system that got you here, and we want to be able to support as much as we can.
What We Fund
The Stanford FLI Student Success Center Opportunity Fund provides assistance for a variety of situations students may experience. Here you can learn more about what is and is not funded.
What We Don't Fund
Though the Stanford FLI Student Success Center Opportunity Fund is designed to financially assist undergraduate students, there are some limitations to what we can fund. Here you can find information about what this entails.
Receipt Tracker
Welcome to the Opportunity Fund receipts page! Please answer each question and submit a separate form for each receipt if you've completed multiple purchases.
Due to the high volume of requests that we receive through the Opportunity Fund, it can take up to two weeks to receive a response. Please be sure to include all supporting materials with your application to prevent a delay in processing.
Fraternity or Sorority Life Dues
Students applying for support with Fraternity or Sorority Life dues need to complete the FSL Opportunity Fund Application by Monday, October 3, 2022 for Autumn Quarter dues. Dues are not covered through the traditional Opportunity Fund application process. Please reach out to Christopher Carter with any questions.
Opportunity Fund Application
Access the current academic year application below.
- To receive the fund disbursement, if approved for an Opportunity Fund grant, students will need to complete a Canvas course about the Opportunity Fund, which will take about 30-45 minutes to complete. You only need to complete this once during your Stanford career. The link to the course is available in the Opportunity Fund Application.
- Graduate and Co-Term Students should apply for support through Grant in Aid.
