The Student Opportunity Fund

The Rockford University Student Opportunity Fund (SOF) provides financial support for curricular or co-curricular activities/projects with an academic component. These projects enhance the student experience and augment the University’s academic program.

Undergraduate students have access to a cumulative total $3000 over their academic lifetime at the university. Graduate students have access to a cumulative total of $1000. Students can apply for individual awards based on tiers (levels) of funding. Rockford University students can also apply for SOF funds to host an academic event on campus (Tier IV). These awards do not count as individual awards.

Faculty and Staff leading group trips should click on the “Faculty Staff” button for information.

Identified an Opportunity/Project?

RU students can apply for SOF funding for a myriad of projects that cover a host of opportunities such as:

  • Research and creative activities
  • Conference presentation and attendance
  • Off-campus study—international or domestic
  • Activity directly connected to a class or academic program
  • Hosting an academic event on campus (these kinds of project are considered Tier IV and have a different application)

Take a look at some of the previously-funded SOF projects.

Deadlines

Deadlines for the academic year are the first day of September, October, November, December, February, March, April, and May. Awards are made on a first-come first-serve basis.

Questions?

Contact sof@rockford.edu with any questions you have.

Previously Funded Projects

Student-Led Individual Projects

  • Washington Semester
  • Semester study abroad to Regents University in London, University of Skövde in Sweden, University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain
  • Research projects in Physics, Psychology, Biology etc.
  • White House Internship
  • Beacon Fellowship
  • Beyond Sports Soccer Trip
  • National Bowl
  • Conferences such as Sigma Xi (Scientific Research Honor Society), Annual Human Resource Development Annual Meeting etc.

Group Projects

  • Paleontology trip to Montana
  • Florida Ecology Trip
  • UGAMI (Marine Science) Trip to Georgia
  • Local trips to Field Museum, Lyric Opera House, Shedd Aquarium, Mindgames Escape Room and many more
  • Conferences such as USITT, Midwest Ecology and Environment, Wilson Ornithological Society/Association of Field Ornithologist Annual Meeting, Computer Science conference, Religion conference and many more
  • 2017 Total Solar Eclipse Trip
  • Short-term Study abroad trips to Chile, Spain, France, Italy