Antar focused on elaborating on which events can be subsidized by Activity and Service Fees.  If funded by A&S fees, the event must have the opportunity to benefit the entire student body.  Consequently, SG can only subsidize events on the USF Tampa campus and its affiliates.

These events must be directly funded and the money must either pay for food or materials for the specific event.  To increase chances of obtaining funds, Antar explicitly stated that organizations must justify everything requested. He showed the students how to navigate to the “Annual Budget Form,” which can be found here. While Antar avidly encouraged organizations to fundraise, he reminded them that SG cannot supply finances for fundraisers, since they only benefit one organization.

Additionally, Aldridge mentioned that travel funding has changed.  Instead of an annual funding process, the Student Government Travel Grant has replaced it. Organizations can now petition for specific events closer to the date of the desired trip.

“As an organization, instead of requesting your travel for the entire year you can be much more specific in what your events are, when they’re going to happen and what you’re going to request funds for,” Aldridge explained.

This way, organizations are able to be more meticulous in their requests and SG is aware of which ones should be funded. Aldridge claims that this helps the money not run out quite as fast, but reminds the organizations that they should still apply early to increase their chances of receiving subsidies.

“It helps both of us,” Aldridge said.  “It helps us as a committee fund much more of what you’re asking for because we really know what you’re asking for.”

Any organization interested in learning more about funding can attend information sessions on Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. or Dec. 5 at 3 p.m. in MSC 4200.The deadline to apply for funding is Jan. 25, but Antar encourages student organization to apply as soon as possible.