Student Initiatives

Are you a student with a great project idea that could benefit the campus community? Are you part of a group interested in starting a club, fundraising for a new student service, or attending a conference? If you're a member of the Okanagan College Students’ Union, we encourage you to apply to our Student Initiatives program!

NOTE: We have updated our Student Initiatives Funding Policy. Please make sure to review it here to understand our current procedures. An OCSU representative may contact you for further clarification.

How it works:

  1. Fill out an application form and tell us about your project, proposed budget, and what you need the funding for.

  2. Don't go buying things just yet. Wait for us to tell you how much funding you've been approved for, as it may not be the maximum amount!

  3. Once we've given you your maximum, it's time to put your idea into action! You will pay for all of your expenses up front, and we'll reimburse you afterwards.

  4. Once the initiative’s over, fill out our reimbursement form. Tell us exactly what you spent the money on and how much. Don't forget to include itemized receipts!

How to Apply

  1. Fill out the application form at least two weeks in advance of the date when you need the funding.

  2. We typically respond to you via email within 5 business days to let you know if your application has been approved, and how much funding you’ve been approved for.

How to Get Reimbursed

  1. Visit your campus’s OCSU office and request a reimbursement form.

  2. Fill out the form and return it to us with all of your itemized receipts.

    It usually takes about 5 business days for us to review your form and receipts. Keep an eye on your email inbox, as that’s how we’ll get in touch if there are any issues. We will also notify you via email when your cheque is ready for pickup.

Other important info:

  • Initiatives that require travel are subject to a per-meal or per-day maximum. So instead of having an total budget of, say, $100, your budget may be up to $60 per day with itemized receipts provided. * please note: if you are unable to provide itemized receipts, you will not be reimbursed. * Any more than $60 per day will be considered overspending and will not be reimbursed.

  • All receipts must be attached. Assign each receipt a number, and list that number in the appropriate space on the form.

  • Receipts must show the individual expenses incurred and any included taxes. A receipt showing only a credit or debit card purchase will not be accepted.

  • For expenses in USD, use the exchange rate of $1USD to $1.34CAD. Please check with OCSU for expenses in other currencies.

  • Alcohol purchases and alcohol tax will not be reimbursed.

  • We will only reimburse expenses that we have approved you for.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • As long as its core purpose is to benefit Okanagan College students, it's generally eligible. There is also no minimum amount. Any questions, please ask us!

  • While there is no penalty for exceeding your budget, you will only be reimbursed for the maximum amount you were approved for. For example, if your approved budget was $90, and you spent $100, you will only be reimbursed $90.

    NOTE: Some initiatives are subject to a per-meal or per-day maximum. This usually applies to initiatives that require travel, such as Enactus competitions. So instead of having an total budget of, say, $100, your budget may be $20 per meal, up to $60 per day with itemized receipts. Any more than $60 will be considered overspending and will not be reimbursed.

  • We absolutely will not reimburse alcohol or any illegal or dangerous goods/services.

    We also reserve the right to deny reimbursement for any good or service deemed inappropriate.

  • For individual applications, we will reimburse a maximum of up to $400. For group applications, the amount is $1,000. This is per academic year.

    Please note that you might not be approved for the maximum amount listed above. Maximum reimbursement amounts are determined based on your proposed budget and are subject to approval by our Board of Directors.