Frequently Asked Questions
Student Opportunity Fund (SOF) is a need-based fund established to allow students to take advantage of opportunities to participate in academic and co-curricular experiences by providing a funding subsidy to defray their out-of-pocket expenses. The goal of this fund is to reduce individual students' personal financial expenses related to such experiences and to provide financial access to students who may not otherwise be able to afford to participate.
Some examples of experiences/events that may qualify for this subsidy are but not limited to:
- training seminars
- conferences
- workshops
- on- and off-campus educational or skill development seminars
- programs
- educational trips
- membership fees
- certifications
Yes, SOF is not able to cover the following expenses:
- Alcohol
- Credit bearing courses
- Graduation regalia
- Housing/Meal plan expenses
- Interntational travel
- Opportunities that have passed
No, SOF will not be awarded retroactively to student applicants. Applications must be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the opportunity/event.
It is expected that you submit your application for funding in advance of your event/opportunity. Response time is typically under one week, however we ask that you allow up to two weeks for review and decision. Once a decision has been made you will receive communication to your registered Lehigh email.
In most cases our office will meet with student to register or pay for expenses online OR funds are issued back to students through reimbursement.
Studnets who are approved for funding are only eligible to recieve a grant from SOF one time per academic year. This however does not limit you from other funding sources on campus.
The amount of the award granted is based on the current availability of funds, type of request, criteria met, and availability of funds. This past academic year SOF awarded an average of $570.00 per approved student application.
You may send all questions to insof@lehigh.edu and we will be happy to help!