Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Office hours are available and posted on the calendar on the landing page.
CoFA offers both in-person and virtual options to meet.
CoFA offers both in-person and virtual options to meet.
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LOCATION0208JJ Stamp Student Union
University of Maryland, College Park Located on the ground floor through the SORC suite. |
For the 30/60-day rule, which date applies: the program date or the payment due date?
Use whichever date comes first: the date payment is due or the date the program will occur. The purpose of the 30/60-day rule is to ensure that SORC has enough time to process the payment before the funds are needed. For example, if a program will take place in November but payment is due in mid-October, the mid-October payment due date is the date used to determine compliance with the rule.
Who is allowed to submit a funding application?
A funding application may only be submitted by the President or Treasurer of an SGA-recognized student organization. The submitter must be an undergraduate student, be accurately listed as an officer on TerpLink, and have completed the required SGA Finance and SPEND trainings.
Does receiving SGA funding mean that the payment has already been completed?
No. Receiving an allocation only means that funding has been approved. Once the funds are available, the organization’s President or Treasurer must submit the appropriate payment request through the SORC Finance TerpLink page. Organizations must also complete the required SORC Finance steps, including event approval and SPEND training.
Who must primarily benefit from an SGA-funded program, item, or service?
The primary beneficiaries must be University of Maryland, College Park undergraduate students. At least 51% of the primary beneficiaries must be undergraduate students.
What should be included in a funding justification?
The justification should clearly explain how each requested item or service supports the organization’s mission and the purpose of the program. If more than one of an item or service is requested, the organization must also explain why that exact quantity is necessary.
What documentation must be included with a funding request?
Documentation must be less than one year old and must show all relevant information, including the vendor, price, URL, dates, and contact information. Screenshots are not accepted; webpages should be saved and submitted as PDFs. Product requests should include a direct link when available, while service requests should include an invoice, quote, estimate, or unsigned contract from the service provider.
Do requests for physical items require an inventory and storage plan?
Yes. Requests for physical items must include an updated inventory of items previously purchased with Student Activities Fee funds. The organization must also demonstrate that the items will be stored securely on campus. A private residence is not an acceptable storage location.
Can SGA funding be used to reimburse someone who has already made a purchase?
No. SGA funding cannot be used for reimbursements. Organizations should not make purchases before completing the SORC Finance payment process.
When should an organization apply for Emergency Funding?
Emergency Funding may be used when an already-funded program incurs an unexpected expense after the original application was submitted. The request must include supporting documentation and must be submitted at least 15 days before the payment or program date.
What happens if an organization submits multiple applications for the same program?
If multiple applications for the same program are submitted during the same funding period, only the most recent application will be reviewed. The Finance Committee may also combine related applications and apply all relevant caps as though they were one program.
Can SGA funding be used to purchase food?
Food is funded only when it is essential to the organization’s mission and purpose. Simply serving food at a meeting or program does not, by itself, make the expense eligible for funding.
My funding has been approved by SGA, but I am having issues with the payment. What should I do?
Contact SORC Finance, either by email ([email protected]) or by visiting their office in STAMP.
