ASB to provide grants to students

ASB has begun to answer the question about what do with at least some of the $276,000 in accumulated funds from previous classes: Students can now apply for funding for small-scale projects.  

ASB has set aside $5,000 to provide this new opportunity to students but is open to granting more money if ASB receives many serious, realistic requests.

“The idea is to address individual or small group needs that may not be met by whole school projects,” senior ASB president Aakash Thumaty said.

Each approved project will receive a maximum of $500 depending on demonstrated need. In order to make sure that students follow through with their proposals and use the money as promised, the students will be asked to spend the money first and will then be reimbursed by ASB after producing proof of their expenses.

Current requests range from subsidizing travel to donating to a charity on behalf of the school, Thumaty said.

“There is no guarantee that every single request will be filled, but we want to make sure to benefit the school and the student body as much as possible,” Thumaty said.

ASB began reviewing and granting funding requests in early November.

“Many of the organizations on campus have a tough time fundraising, so we felt that we would help out the students directly by giving grants,” senior ASB board representative Kanaai Shah said. “In the end, the goal is to help students financially to be a part of the extracurricular activities they love and maybe even take the activity to a whole new level with the financial support.”