Frequently Asked Questions about SAAB

Where is the SAAB Office and where are the applications?

The SAAB Office is located on the second floor of Templeton Student Center in the small hallway near the Info Desk. The door is straight ahead, and it can be distinguished by the sign on the door that reads 'SAAB'! Our office number is 237. The applications, application process/funding guidelines and other information are located on the SAAB wall right next the Info Desk.

How does the application process work?

First you pick up an application from the VP for SAAB, the SAAB vice chair, the SAAB wall or print one off from this website. Meet with your department's representative for help with your application--you should get their signature on your completed application. Be sure to give your faculty advisor ample time to write a strong letter of recommendation for your project. Make sure that you get all of the proper signatures as well. For more information on the process, please refer to the Application Process/Funding Guidelines and/or contact the chair, vice chair, or a SAAB member.

When is my SAAB grant application due?

Program & Conference and Visiting Scholar grants are reviewed on a rolling basis at the weekly SAAB meetings. Please have your application and all necessary paperwork turned in at least one week before the Thursday meeting at which you would like to present. Please check the Grant Programs page for Arts Expression and Research grant deadlines.

What's the difference between SAAB and GAB?

A rule of thumb is, if it's academic you go to SAAB. If not you go to GAB. The General Allocations Board (GAB) and the Student Academic Affairs Board (SAAB) are the two funding bodies of ASLC. GAB mainly funds one-time student activities that do not fall under any academic department or program. They can also help startup clubs get funding. SAAB however supports academic projects that fall under one’s field of study. This may include research, conferences, visiting scholars, and performances. Since GAB and SAAB fund two different types of student projects, one can only apply to one board but not both.

What is "student motivated"?

When we say that we’re looking for “student-motivated” projects, we mean that we’re looking for projects from which students provide the impetus, the energy, and the innovation. In other words, you’re during the work, you’re figuring things out, and you’re benefiting form the project. Does this mean that your project must be completely separate from your professor’s or that the ideas for it must be completely original? Certainly not! We understand that much research is adding upon previous work, and we support this, too.

If I want to do my project next semester, when should I apply?

It depends. If you’d like to do a research project, we generally recommend that you apply the semester before so that you can find competitive airfare prices and plan out your itinerary. Applicants planning summer research projects typically apply during the spring. Conference, Performance, and Visiting Scholar grants are much more flexible. Our general rule is that you should give yourself (and us!) enough time to make preparations for your project. Many applicants for performance grants apply a semester early. All in all, it’s really up to you and how much time you’d like to give yourself.

Why do I have to get all these signatures?

The signatures are to show that your project is supported and that you’ve taken all of the necessary steps to ensure its completion, and each signature represents a different facet of this. Obviously, your faculty advisor’s signature shows that s/he supports you in what you are doing. The two SAAB members are meant to help you, to review your application, and to give you hints on how better to present your application. It is also SAAB’s policy that applicants have at least a cumulative GPA of 2.00 to signify that you are on track to graduate. Finally, the Events Coordinator and Student Activities may need to sign your grant if you are bringing a visiting scholar or doing a performance in order to show that you have made the necessary arrangements.

Can I still apply if I am overseas?

Of course. The most crucial part is keeping a good contact with someone at LC (besides your faculty advisor) who is familiar with your project and is in communication with you fairly frequently. We recommend your departmental representative. Since postal mail can be particularly slow with certain countries, we recommend communication via e-mail wherever possible.

I'm applying for a Research/Arts Expression and can't wait until the respective due and review dates to get funding. What can I do?

We're sorry, but we cannot review Research and Arts Expression grants before the respective review dates. However, you should keep in mind that there are other sources of funding available to you. To learn about them, contact your department's secretary, or the Ford Foundation.

I applied for a SAAB Grant and didn't get funded. What do I do now?

You can still apply for grants with various other sources. Check with your department's secretary for other resources...and good luck!

How much money can I expect to receive for my grant?

That all depends on you! SAAB awards grants on the basis of merit, not need. Your grant proposal should be well-organized and of great benefit to the LC community. We expect that you are passionate about your project, and that you've found the cheapest prices for your grant expenditures.

Also here are the statistics on the grant amounts awarded since 1982 for each type of the SAAB Grants:

What's the difference between the VP for SAA, the SAAB Chair, and the SAAB Vice Chair?

The SAA Vice President and SAAB Chair are the same person. The respective individual sits on ASLC executive council as a voting member, administers the SAAB grant program, and chairs SAAB. The SAAB Vice Chair position was created in 2002 when it became appearent that the SAAB Chair responsibilities had grown so huge for one mere mortal to handle. The SAAB Vice Chair along with the Chair administers the SAAB grant program and acts like the "Vice President" of SAAB. If the SAAB Chair were Captain of the ship called SAAB than the Vice Chair would be the first mate.