FLORENCE — Student leaders at the University of North Alabama are doing something to help fellow collegians.

In 2010, the Student Government Association took steps to begin raising funds for an endowed scholarship in the UNA foundation. The group pledged to raise the $25,000 needed to start the endowment in a five-year time frame. Now, more than two years in, the group has raised just $7,500.

That is why this year, the SGA leadership is ramping up efforts to raise the money needed to fund the endowment, SGA treasurer Laura Giles said.

Giles has set a $8,000 fundraising goal for her term that will put the fund back on track to meet the $25,000 target in 2015.

“It is hard to raise money from college students because most of them are concerned with paying their own tuition and expenses,” Giles said. “What I’m trying to do is get the community and alumni involved as much as possible.”

Letter campaigns and reaching out to past SGA presidents has netted less-than-stellar results, but Giles said she will continue those efforts.

“The thought is that SGA represents the student body and we are a voice for the students, but this is a step in another direction to help students,” Giles said. “We thought it was important to provide monetary support for students in addition to being their voice.”

SGA is hosting a chili cook-off 3-6 p.m. today at the UNA amphitheater to raise funds for the scholarship. Businesses or community groups interested in participating can sign up online at www.una.edu/sga or register today before the event.

“We have about 15 groups that have signed up to compete,” Giles said. “We are excited about that, and we hope to continue this tradition.”

The UNA Foundation requires a $25,000 starting balance for all new endowments. The foundation then invests those funds and awards scholarships with the interest earned.

Donations can be made to the fund online at www.alumni.una.edu/sga.

Jennifer Edwards can be reached at 256-740-5754 or jennifer.edwards@TimesDaily.com.

SGA chili cook-off

What: Chili cook-off and chili-dog eating contest to benefit the University of North Alabama Student Government Association Endowed Scholarship Fund

When: 3-6 p.m. today

Where: UNA Amphitheater

To enter: Visit www.una.edu/sga and click on the link to register to participate

Cost: Admission is free, but wrist bands, which entitles wearers to a bowl of chili, a drink and five votes in the cook-off judging, are $10 each. Single votes are $5 each. It is $15 per team to enter the cook-off.