Student Organization Funding

What is SOF?

Student Organizational Funding (SOF) is designed to assist organizations registered at the university. SOF provides supplemental funds to student organizations that assist in programming and initiatives. Funding is available to all student organizations registered and in good standing with the Office of Leadership and Student Involvement that meet the requirements for SOF. 

Important Dates

  • August 24–28: Mandatory Informational Meetings

  • September 1: Funding Applications Open

  • October 1: Funding Applications Close

More detailed information will be sent to Student Organization Presidents closer to these dates.

Policies and Procedures

  • The $200 snack policy only applies to snacks purchased through Eagle Dining and ONLY for non‑event purposes.

  • BSU and Wesley are considered off‑campus locations. Any expenses associated with these locations must be processed as reimbursements, not paid upfront.

  • Student organizations may only be reimbursed through their Advisor.

  • A First Right of Refusal (FROR) form must be attached to your funding application ONLY if Eagle Dining cannot provide the requested items.

  • If Eagle Dining issues an FROR, please email SGA to notify us.

  • Maintain regular communication with your advisor throughout the funding process to ensure all procedures are followed correctly.

  • Organizations are encouraged to request funding ONLY when it is truly necessary.

  • If University Resources are not used, the initial cost must be covered by the organization’s advisor or sponsoring department.

  • Reimbursement will be processed using either a Staff Reimbursement Voucher or an Interdepartmental Invoice, both of which are available through Human Resources for your on‑campus advisor.

  • When University Resources are used, those costs should be covered upfront through funding.

  • All event advertisements must include the following disclaimer: “This activity/event is open to all students at the University of Southern Mississippi.”

  • Attendance at mandatory informational meetings is required in order to receive any Student Organizational Funding.

Completion of Event

  • No purchases will be made after the date of the event

  • Copies of all receipts from purchases made with the grant funding must be submitted to the SGA

  • Advisor no more than two weeks following the event

  • A brief report on the event describing the event’s successes and including pictures must be submitted to the SGA Advisor and Chief Justice no more than two weeks following the event

Definitions

University Resources

University‑provided services and facilities, including University Photography, Eagle Dining, R.C. Union Rooms, Thad Cochran Rooms,other on‑campus rental spaces and the Payne Center

Interdepartmental Invoice

A formal document used to record and process financial transactions between different departments or organizational units within the University.

Staff Reimbursement Voucher

A document used by employees to request repayment for expenses they paid out of pocket on behalf of the University or a student organization.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Chief Justice Tyrus Dunham at Tyrus.Dunham@usm.edu

The Chief Justice reserves the right to request the presence of the applicant at the following Student Court meeting for additional information/discussion. The Chief Justice may contact the applicant to let it be known when application is up for review in Student Court so the Student Org Officer or Advisor can be able to come to student court and give more of a description of why the funds may be needed.