The most important thing to remember in applying for funding from your Student Government Association (SGA) is to figure out the timeline for when all of the information is due. Often times there will be packets you can pick up or download online from the Activities Office or from SGA that can help you in this process.
Most often your applications will be due at the very beginning of the semester, so make sure you come back from summer break prepared to submit the application on time. Your SGA may only let you apply at two times during the year (in August/September and January).
The next important aspect to applying for funding is figuring out what should be included in your application. Make sure to submit a detailed plan of what you intend to do for the semester, as well as your projected budget. This will help the SGA figure out who should get more funding based on what different events you will be hosting and how much you will be spending throughout the semester.
You will need to prepare before you meet with the person in charge of the annual budgets. If you need help figuring out how much to ask for or would like to see a sample application, contact us and ask the SGA or Activities office. They are there to help and should be willing to walk you through the process.
Also, when applying for funding, be aware of all of the school funding policies. Sometimes, new or lapsed groups get a certain amount of money for the first year, until they can prove that they will be working and doing projects. Again, this will all be laid out in the application packet you receive.
One other aspect to consider is how much the pro-abortion/Vox groups are getting on campus. If you go to a state college or university, by law you have to receive the same amount of funding as these groups. If there is a discrepancy, and the SGA or Student Activities office refuses to remedy the situation, they may be liable and your group could win a lawsuit. If you go to a private college or university, it may be harder to find this information out.
Just ask the SGA or Activities Director what kind of funding “similar” groups are receiving such as Vox/pro-abortion groups or other ministry or politically-based groups. If you do not receive the exact amount of funding you request, don’t worry. There are always way to find more funding for events throughout the year, such as asking other student groups to co-sponsor events with you or holding a fundraiser for your group on campus.
Click here for more Fundraising tips.
The most important aspect to getting funding is being organized and prepared to turn in your finding information on the day that it is due. Make sure to go online over the summer or before school starts to download all of the materials.
Questions or issues? Contact your SFLA Regional Coordinator at [yourstate]@studentsforlife.org.