Student Project Grant Terms & Conditions on One Page

Failure to satisfy these terms and conditions could affect your eligibility to receive part or all of your UROP funding. Review carefully and let us know as you have questions.

Eligibility

Maintain status as a degree-seeking undergraduate at CU Boulder.

Progress

Complete the proposed project to the best of your ability, alerting UROP to significant changes.

Compliance

Complete all applicable university compliance procedures in a timely manner.

Communication

Maintain communication with your mentor and respond to UROP in a timely manner.

 

Funding Classification

Student grant funding is paid as a stipend using the university's payroll system (job code 3205).  Although students need an employee identification number (EID) and payments are made through the payroll system, UROP funding is not considered payroll wages or employee compensation. UROP funding is considered "Other Financial Aid" (OFA) according to the university's policy on paying students and all award information will be reported to the Office of Financial Aid. This means that your funding could impact the amount of other financial aid you receive because the total amount of financial aid you receive cannot exceed your total Cost of Attendance (COA). When total financial aid exceeds the COA, we must reduce aid. When reducing aid, we make every effort to reduce the least favorable types of aid, such as loans, first. Some students may not see an impact, but those that normally receive or borrow aid up to their COA will see a reduction to loans or other aid to account for the funding.

Tax Information

Payments to recipients who are U.S. citizens are not typically subject to federal and state income tax withholding and payroll taxes (i.e., FICA and Medicare taxes). The university has no tax reporting requirement for these payments (no W-2), but is required to report payments on the federal form 1042-S. Grants, scholarships and awards received as  "other financial aid" (OFA) may need to be reported on tax returns if the amount exceeds qualified educational expenses as defined by IRS Publication 970. Grants and scholarships are listed on a 1098-T. Students are responsible for accurately reporting their income.

Social Security Number

If you do not have a social security number (SSN), you'll need to apply for one to receive payment from UROP (or arrange an alternative form of payment). For details about applying for a SSN, refer to the International Student Scholar Services (ISSS) website. To arrange alternative payment, contact us.

Workers' Compensation

If a student is injured in the performance of activities related to their project during the term of their award, they might be eligible to receive Workers’ Compensation because UROP stipends can meet the conditions of “paid internships” as described in the university’s workers’ compensation policy.

PERA Benefits

Students currently receiving Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) retirement benefits must identify their status in the application and acceptance process.  These recipients receive awards paid as a scholarship (using the financial aid system).

Combing UROP Funding

Students may combine UROP Project Grant funding (Assistantships & Individual Project Grants) with any funding source with the exception of funding from a UROP Team Project Grant.

Surveys & Reports

UROP funding is not dependent on the submission of a report or survey, but we appreciate and are aided by your thoughtful feedback.  Links to surveys and instructions for completion will be emailed during the grant term.

Celebrating 40 Years

CU Boulder has an expansive history engaging undergraduates in the research and creative life of the campus dating to the creation of UROP in 1986.