Funding Information and Sources
Graduate and Professional Association (GPA)
General Allocation Fund (GAF) – Each GSO is allocated a set sum of funds each year to cover basic operating costs like office supplies, advertisement, etc… This funding is similar to the basic operating cost funding that Student Senate provides to non-GSO student organizations. The amount of allocated funds is based upon the GPA constitution and will automatically be allocated into the GSO accounts at the beginning of the year.
Special Expense Fund (SEF) – Available after April 1st – A portion of the GPA budget is allocated to cover any expenses a GSO might occur above its general allocated funds. To apply for SEF funds, a GSO has to first exhaust its GAF budget or have it allocated towards another expense at the time of application.
Steps:
- Email a formal letter outlining the following to gpa@ku.edu
- Brief explanation of the event or special purchase
- How the event or special purchase will benefit all graduate students at KU
- How the GSO will ensure that all graduate students are aware of the event or have access to the special purchase.
- Other sources of funding sought for the event or special purchase
- Wait for reply
The application will be presented to the Graduate and Executive Council (GradEx) which will vote to approve, amend, or deny the request. The GSO will then be notified as to the decision and the steps to claim the funding if so awarded.
Student Senate
Unallocated Account (UA) – Each year the Student Senate sets aside an amount of funds to cover special events/projects that they deem important. Any student organization (GSOs included) can apply for these funds.
Steps:
- Contact a Graduate Student Senator.
- With the Senator's help, construct a bill requesting the funds.
- If you plan to use any of the funding to pay someone for a service (i.e. speaker) you will also need to fill out a contractual services form and a W9 form and have the contractee sign the paperwork. Both forms will need to be submitted at the same time of the bill or the legislation will be delayed until all paperwork is submitted.
- Submit the bill to Student Senate at least one week before the Student Senate committee meetings at which they will be first heard and two weeks before the Student Senate meeting.
- Attend the Student Senate committee meetings at which the bill will be heard and be prepared to present the bill and answer any questions that the committee might have about the bill. (Typically the two committees are the Graduate and Professional Affairs Committee at 5:30 pm and the Finance Committee at 6 pm)
- If the bill passes both committees, it will then be presented and voted upon by the full Student Senate.
It is important to know that GPA funds (either GAF or SEF) and Student Senate funds cannot be combined.
The time line for Student Senate funding takes a minimum of three to four weeks to complete barring any problems. If the bill gets tabled, an extra two weeks will transpire before a final decision is made. To alleviate any problems, please allow for adequate time (at least a month and a half) to process the request.
Line-Item Allocation - GSOs are not eligible for line-item allocation funding.
Graduate Studies
While not an official source of funds, the Office of Graduate Studies has indicated that they are willing to fund events that are both inter-disciplinary and involve more than one GSO. If your event falls under these criteria, contact Roberta Pokphanh at pokphanh@ku.edu for further information.
Coca-Cola Fund
The Coca-Cola Fund is designed to increase the amount of and the equality of the programs/events at the University of Kansas. In addition to providing funds for programs/events, the Coca-Cola Fund also donates beverages. If you are interested in seeking Coca-Cola funds, please visit their website.
