- Access to Capital, Alum, Article, Innovation, Nisbet Venture Fund, Startup, Try It Fund
Applications open the first day of each semester and close at 10pm EST the last day of fall or spring break, depending on the semester. Applications are closed in the summer.
The Try It Fund has been made possible through generous support from the Charlie Hinnant ’72 Fund, Davidson alums, and other community sponsors.
The Try It Fund is a grant competition that awards Davidson students with up to $1,000 to pursue a creative or innovative idea. We fund for-profit ventures, so your project must make money by selling a product, idea, or service. We realize you are going to make mistakes when attempting something you’ve never done before. Failure is part of the creative process, and we want you to take risks, try new ideas, learn how to quickly recognize what doesn’t work and pivot onto something that does.
Upon accepting the award, you must consent to make substantial progress towards your goal within 7 weeks, attend an orientation meeting, have regular check-ins, document and reflect upon the creative process, and give an on-campus presentation on what was learned from the process.
Note for International Students (F1 Visa)
As an international student, this funding may be subject to federal tax (20% max; 14% federal, 6% state, unless treaty benefits apply). The grant will be grossed up to include tax obligations.
Upon signing the agreement, you are agreeing to check your email for correspondence from Sprintax Calculus/Susan Caldwell in the Controller’s Office and respond quickly to any inquiries concerning the Foreign National Tax Assessment. As an International student (Non-Resident Alien), you will receive IRS form 1042/1042-S for all taxable payments. You will be responsible for filing the Form 1040NR in the following year.
You will see from the stories below that there isn’t one type of project that we are looking for. We want creativity. Take a responsible risk. Make something sustainable. Be passionate.
Question: Can students with a F-1 visa receive funds from their own businesses while still enrolled at Davidson?
Answer: No, students with a F-1 visa cannot receive funds from their own businesses while in the U.S. and enrolled at Davidson unless they work with International Student Engagement to apply to USCIS, and be approved for, pre-completion Optional Practical Training . Receiving pre-completion OPT is discouraged and takes away from the available OPT post-graduation. International students should talk with International Student Engagement before engaging in any business ventures in the U.S.
Question: Can students with a F-1 visa receive awards after graduation?
Answer: Yes, students with a F-1 visa can receive awards after graduation, as long as they meet certain conditions, such as having approved post-completion OPT and pursuing a business idea directly related to their major field of study, or leaving the U.S.
Question: What is post-completion OPT, and why is it important for receiving awards after graduation?
Answer: Post-completion OPT is a period during which international students with an F-1 visa can work in their major field of study in the U.S. It is important because students need this authorization to be eligible to receive payments from their own businesses while they are physically in the U.S.
Question: Can students with a F-1 visa continue to receive payments from their own businesses after their one year of post-completion OPT?
Answer: Generally, no. During their 12 months of initial OPT F-1 students may be self-employed and manage their own businesses. However, the 24-month STEM extension precludes self-employment and continuance of payments from Davidson College in any form. International students are encouraged to consult with an immigration attorney about their options for entrepreneurship beyond the initial 12 months of OPT.
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