Emory University's Commitment to Accessible Education: Understanding Student Council Funding Guidelines

Emory University is committed to providing talented students with an education that is more accessible. Launching in fall 2026, Emory Advantage Plus is a major expansion of the university’s longstanding commitment to making a preeminent education more attainable for talented students. This commitment is exemplified by initiatives like the Emory Advantage Plus program, which aims to remove financial barriers for students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. To fully understand the scope of this commitment, it's important to examine the guidelines that govern the allocation of funds, particularly those managed by the Student Council.

Emory Advantage Plus: A Transformative Scholarship Program

The Emory Advantage Plus program is a cornerstone of Emory's efforts to promote accessibility. Students whose families earn $200,000 or less will pay $0 tuition to attend Emory University starting in fall 2026. This transformative scholarship, Emory Advantage Plus, represents a significant expansion of the university’s financial aid program and continues Emory’s longstanding commitment to support talented students by making a preeminent education more attainable. All new and returning students who are eligible for need-based aid will be considered for the Emory Advantage Plus program. Emory will also continue to meet 100% of demonstrated need for all domestic undergraduate students. Over the next four years, Emory’s undergraduate financial aid commitment will exceed $1 billion.This initiative builds upon the foundation laid by the original Emory Advantage program, which started in 2007 to serve students from families with lower incomes.

In fall 2022, Emory expanded the program by eliminating need-based loans as part of undergraduate students’ financial aid packages and replacing them with institutional grants and scholarships.

According to Interim President Leah Ward Sears, “Offering free tuition to every student whose family income is $200,000 or less is about leadership. We want great students to come here without regard to the cost. And we will do everything in our power to give them a great education without the burden of crushing debt.” Sears explains, “When students sit at the kitchen table with their parents to discuss college, I don’t want finances to be a consideration. If they qualify to come to Emory and they want to come to Emory, we will make sure they can afford Emory.”Emory Advantage Plus is more than just an expansion of a financial aid plan - it’s an expansion of opportunity, of dreams, and what’s possible at Emory,” Sears says. “Together we are opening doors wider than ever before so that brilliant, deserving students can call Emory and Georgia their home. The future has never looked brighter, and this is only just the beginning.”

Eligibility and Application for Emory Advantage Plus

To be considered for the Emory Advantage Plus program, undergraduate students and families will complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS Profile). All new and returning domestic undergraduate students who meet the income requirements and are eligible for need-based aid will be considered for Emory Advantage Plus next fall. When determining eligibility for the free tuition program, Emory will consider a family’s typical assets.

Student Council Funding: Empowering Student Initiatives

Emory University's Student Council plays a vital role in enriching the student experience by allocating funds to various student organizations and initiatives. Understanding the guidelines that govern this funding is essential for students seeking financial support for their projects and activities.

Principles Guiding Funding Allocation

The Student Council operates under a set of principles that guide its funding decisions. These principles typically include:

Equity and Inclusion: Ensuring that funding opportunities are accessible to a diverse range of student organizations and initiatives, regardless of their size, focus, or membership.
Impact and Reach: Prioritizing projects and activities that have a significant positive impact on the student body and the broader Emory community.
Sustainability: Favoring initiatives that demonstrate a clear plan for long-term sustainability and continued success.
Transparency and Accountability: Maintaining transparency in the funding process and holding funded organizations accountable for the responsible use of allocated resources.
Alignment with University Mission: Supporting initiatives that align with Emory University's mission and values, such as promoting academic excellence, fostering social responsibility, and encouraging innovation.

Types of Funding Available

The Student Council typically offers various types of funding to support student activities, including:

Annual Budgets: Providing annual funding to recognized student organizations to support their ongoing operations and activities.
Event Sponsorships: Offering financial support for specific events or programs organized by student groups.
Project Grants: Funding innovative projects and initiatives that address specific needs or opportunities within the Emory community.
Travel Grants: Assisting students with travel expenses related to conferences, competitions, or research opportunities.
Emergency Funding: Providing financial assistance to student organizations facing unexpected financial challenges.

The Funding Application Process

The process for applying for Student Council funding generally involves the following steps:

Eligibility Check: Ensuring that the organization or initiative meets the eligibility criteria for the specific funding opportunity.
Application Submission: Completing and submitting a detailed application form, including a budget proposal, project description, and timeline.
Review and Evaluation: The Student Council reviews and evaluates applications based on the established funding criteria.
Interview (if required): Some funding opportunities may require applicants to participate in an interview to further discuss their proposal.
Funding Decision: The Student Council makes a final decision on funding allocations and notifies applicants of the outcome.
Reporting and Accountability: Funded organizations are typically required to submit regular reports on their progress and financial expenditures.

Factors Influencing Funding Decisions

Several factors can influence the Student Council's funding decisions, including:

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The quality and completeness of the application: A well-written and comprehensive application that clearly articulates the project's goals, impact, and budget is more likely to be successful.
The project's alignment with funding priorities: The Student Council may prioritize funding for initiatives that address specific needs or align with the university's strategic goals.
The organization's track record: Organizations with a history of successful events and responsible financial management may be more likely to receive funding.
The availability of funds: The Student Council's funding decisions are ultimately constrained by the limited resources available.
The competitiveness of the applicant pool: The more competitive the applicant pool, the more difficult it may be to secure funding.

Complementary Support Systems

Emory Advantage represents just part of the university’s efforts to support students. For Georgia residents, the full-tuition award complements the state’s renowned HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships. Almost 1,050 Emory undergraduates are from Georgia and nearly 95% of them receive HOPE or Zell Miller. Currently about 3,100 students - about 40% of the university’s undergraduates - receive Emory Advantage. Of these, 60% have scholarships that are equal to or higher than the cost of tuition. Under the Emory Advantage Plus program, this number will grow to 80%. Emory currently provides about $438.7 million each year for institutional grant and scholarship aid for undergraduate, graduate and professional students. Emory funds this crucial support for students through the endowment and the continued generosity of alumni, donors and other sponsors.

Navigating the Funding Landscape

Students seeking funding from the Student Council should familiarize themselves with the specific guidelines and application procedures for each funding opportunity. They should also seek guidance from experienced student leaders or the Student Activities Office to improve their chances of success.

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