The (Somewhat) Fine Print about Lilly Funding
Q:What does it mean, “Lilly will fund up to $XXX?”
A:Rather than just give students a blanket amount of money, The Lilly Project will fund students up to the amount they can show is necessary to do their project.
Q:What are the kinds of things students can get funds for?
A:Transportation to and from project site, program fees, food and housing at program site, visa fees, and immunization fees. Depending on the proposal, special equipment may be covered. If the project will be full-time (or almost full-time) for most of the summer, students may apply to use funds as a stipend. This will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the selection committees.
Passport fees, leisure travel, personal equipment, and recreational activities will not be covered.
Q:What kind of documentation do students need to provide when applying?
A:Projected or actual (preferred) fees for all of the above. We realize airline fees are likely to change from the time you submit your application until the time you go. We would look at making adjustments to the funds at the time of booking, up to the maximum amount of the fellowship. If food and housing are not provided, you can use the estimate of up to $20/ day for food. For housing, you will need to show some kind of verification, e.g., from classifieds or internet ads for housing in that area. If paying for utilities is involved, you will need to submit projected costs for those as well.
Q:What kind of financial reporting will have to be submitted at the end of the program?
A:A summary of all expenses and submission of all receipts for verification. In the summary, you will report total expenditures, e.g., Food - $437, not Doritos - $.75, Coffee - $1.65, etc. For more details, please see the Summer Vocational Exploration Expense Record on the Lilly website.
Q:Are there any other allowances or restrictions on funds?
A:Possibly. Students are endlessly creative in their proposals. The selection committees reserve the right to allow or refuse funding for particular aspects of proposals on a case-by-case basis.
Q:How will I get the funds?
A:It depends. The Business Office will review all applications and let us know how we can deliver the funds. Some students will be given a check at the beginning of the summer; others will fill out time cards throughout the summer and will be paid through student payroll just like a campus job.
If the project is considered “work” and time cards are required, students will not receive any money upfront, instead they will be paid according to the Student Pay Schedule found on the Student Employment Office webpage:
Q:Do students have to pay taxes on the fellowships?
A:Possibly. This will depend on how much you have earned in the tax reporting year and/or the degree to which doing your project is seen as “work” by the Business Office. Students are encouraged to craft their projects with as much of an educational component in them as possible.
Q:Are there additional considerations for international students?
A:There are at least three issues international students must be aware of: tax withholding, registering and paying for a .25 credit over the summer, and CPT status. The director of the Lilly Project, Cathy McConnell, can discuss these with you in greater detail.
If your proposal is accepted and the Business Office decides we will pay you a grant award, depending on your home country and the tax treaty it holds with the U.S., you might not receive the entire amount of the award up-front. A certain percentage of your award could be withheld (depending on the terms of the tax treaty, it could be as much as 30%.) When you file your tax return, it is possible you will receive all or a portion of this withheld money back.
If it is determined that the proposed opportunity is "off-campus employment," you will need to register and pay for an internship at .25 credit at the College and apply for off-campus work authorization via Curricular Practical Training (CPT). You will need to make an appointment with Ms. Jill Munroe in OISA to discuss the procedures. *Note—if you are doing CPT, your proposed project must align with your major.*
In either case, you will need to factor these financial considerations into your proposals.
Revised 10-05-11
Lilly House ● 1452 Beall Avenue ● Wooster, Ohio 44691-2363
Tel: 330/263-2428 ● Fax: 330/263-2432