International ACAC is proud to offer many grants and bursaries to our members. Please see the details of these various opportunities below. Applications for each of these funding opportunities are shared throughout the year via emails and newsletters.
The International Association for College Admission Counseling is proud to offer Opportunity Grants. The goal of this program is to support our members in the excellent work being done around the world, assisting students and families in the search for higher education. Projects, programs, and professional development funded by an Opportunity Grant should serve as a role model to the profession.
Learn about previous Opportunity Grant recipients.
Eligibility for Opportunity Grants
International ACAC membership is required to apply for an Opportunity Grant. Please note that Opportunity Grants can not be used to cover the cost of attendance to the International ACAC annual conference or Regional Institutes. The purpose of Opportunity Grants is to support the innovative programs of our members.
- Secondary, Post-Secondary, Individual, and CBO members may apply for an Opportunity Grant. For-Profit and Nonprofit members are not eligible.
- Applicants must be members in good standing of International ACAC for at least one year.
- Proposed Opportunity Grant applications must align with International ACAC’s Mission and may not directly fund student expenses (such as tuition, travel, fees, or supplies).
- Members are limited to one Opportunity Grant per calendar year. Additionally, the grant may be awarded to only one member per institution/organization per calendar year.
- Current members of the Executive Board may not apply for Opportunity Grants.
- Applicants who wish to design a new program or initiative are encouraged to apply; applications containing personal professional development and/or revenue-generating requests will not be considered.
Application Information
Applications must be submitted using the online application form. Applications must be submitted by the deadline stated on the form. The application and deadline information will be shared annually via email, but the application typically runs from February to May.
The application will request the following information:
- Details of the event or program and how the funds will be used to support it;
- A budget and outline of anticipated expenses;
- Information about additional funding secured, if applicable.
Applicants may request between $250 and $3,000 USD in funding. Members are encouraged to seek additional external funding support, if possible.
Examples of Opportunity Grant Proposals
- Expenses associated with the development and implementation of special projects such as design, printing, postage, venue rental, audio-visual equipment, transportation, event food, etc.
- Workshops for counselors in your region to support professional development.
- Buses to bring students from an under-resourced or under-served school to your college fairs or programming.
- Programming that aligns with and promotes International ACAC’s Mission and Guiding Principles, and promotes global interaction among counselors and institutions in support of secondary students transitioning to higher education.
Selection Process
The selection committee consists of a member from the Advocacy & Outreach Committee, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee, Finance Committee, Inclusion, Access, & Success Committee, and Professional Development Committee, as well as a member of the Leadership Team.
The potential positive impact and number of individuals served by the grant will be taken into account, with priority given to applicants who meet the following criteria:
- The application is complete, detailed, and thoughtful.
- The application provides a detailed plan for the use of the funds.
- The applicant has sought additional funding or matching funds from other sources. (Not required, but encouraged).
- The request provides assistance to under-served constituencies.
- The application includes details about sustainability of the project or program in future years (if applicable).
Follow-Up
Following selection as an Opportunity Grant recipient (grantee), the grantee must agree to:
- Use the grant within the calendar year in which it was received.
- Submit a detailed description of the use of the awarded funds and the outcomes achieved within one month following the event or program.
- Submit a detailed expense report and receipts of all expenses incurred using the International ACAC Expense Report Form within one month following the event or program. Reimbursement will not be issued until these items have been received by the Opportunity Grants Committee.
- Submit photos and a written report summarizing the overall experience within one month following the event or program. This information will be shared with the International ACAC membership on the website, through member communications, and/or through International ACAC’s social media accounts.
Questions? Please contact OppGrants@InternationalACAC.org.
For more information about any of these funding opportunities, please reach out to Admin@InternationalACAC.org or the email address listed for each respective program.