Catering Scholarship

Catering Scholarships

Gator Dining Services (GDS) has generously donated funds to assist student organizations in need of support for serving food at events held on campus and that are open to the entire campus community. A committee made up various campus partners reviews all requests for the Catering Scholarship. Applications are reviewed every other Wednesday during the Fall and Spring semesters, and applicants are notified of the committee’s decision within 24 hours of review.

Eligibility Criteria

• Events must be open to all UF students.
• There cannot be an entry or conference/registration fee for the event.
• Event cannot be a general body meeting or a tabling event.
• Event cannot be held in a classroom space (food is not permitted in classrooms on campus).

Additional Information

• The typical maximum amount that can be requested for an event is $500.
• The committee refers to the details you provide about your event in the accompanying permit request, so please provide enough information to make the nature of your event clear.
• A consideration in determining dollar amounts to be awarded is the anticipated attendance. Generally, the committee works on a budget of $1 per person (example: If your expected attendance is 45 you would receive up to $45 in scholarship money). Keep in mind that the Catering Scholarship is intended to supplement your funding for an event and not to provide full funding for your food needs.
• Each organization will be limited to three (3) awards per semester (regardless of dollar amount awarded).
• All Catering Scholarship Awards are contingent upon final approval of the event permit. No funds will be released for events that are not approved for a permit.

Application Timeline

Applications for the Catering Scholarship must be received by 12pm on the Tuesday prior to a committee meeting (every two weeks) in order to be reviewed. Applications submitted after12pm will be reviewed at the following meeting (two weeks later).

Please keep in mind that you need to place your order with Gator Dining Services a minimum of seven (7) business days prior to your event if ordering in person. If you are using the online system to order from the Simple Takeaways menu, your processing time will be slightly less. Keep this timing in mind when submitting your Catering Scholarship request. You can submit your order prior to receiving an award, be sure to consider your existing budget before doing so, as Catering Scholarships are not guaranteed.

Once applications are reviewed during, the decision will be posted in the notes section of your permit on GatorConnect.

How to Apply

Requests for the Catering Scholarship are made by completing the appropriate portion of the online permit application in GatorConnect. The Catering Scholarship is only available if you select Classic Fare Catering as your food vendor. Decision notifications will be posted to the permit notes.

Questions

If you have any questions regarding catering scholarships, please contact Student Engagement’s Office of Event Services.