The Graduate Funding Board is designed to allocate funds to Graduate Student Organizations (GSO) for on campus programming and conference travel. Each GSO has one voting representative as a part of the Funding Board meetings to assist in making funding decisions. This support is made possible by the Student Life Fund and the process is guided by the Graduate Funding Board Bylaws.  This is one of several funding opportunities available to graduate students.
 

What you need to know BEFORE submitting your GSA Funding Request:

1. Review the GSA Funding Bylaws regarding funding rules and procedures. 
2. Watch the above GSA Funding Bylaws video and complete the GSA Funding Bylaws Quiz using link above. Documentation of Quiz completion by the RSO Funding Officer (or if an individual student application not going through an RSO, then the individual student will need to complete) will be required as part of the funding application. 
3. Graduate Student Organizations are required to obtain documentation of relevant costs and deadlines. These documents are expected to be submitted at the time that the funding request is submitted via Laker Link. Students are encouraged to submit their funding request via their Graduate Student Organizations. 
4. Consult GSA Funding Bylaws for information about what can and cannot be funded.
   • For conference travel requests: Verify registration deadlines and plan your request submission accordingly, and research and document hotel costs and travel costs.
   • For event requests: Consider and be prepared with documentation regarding the following:
     1. Food: Secure quotes from Laker Food Co. 
     2. Event promotion (design, printing, campus posting, and other promotional services): Secure quotes from the Promotions Office.
     3. Speakers and other contracts: Do not sign contracts. Request a quote and contact the Graduate School or GSA advisor regarding signing contracts. 
5. Beginning in Fall 2024, all GSA funding became reimbursement-based only. Approved students will receive a reimbursement check after the event, for the amount they were approved for. 
   • Note that the GSA will reimburse approved expenses that students paid for before the GSA Funding Board approval. However, please be aware that if funding is denied at the GSA Funding Board Meeting, expenses paid will not be reimbursed. Only approved expenses can be reimbursed.     
6. Meeting with the GSA Finance Chair ([email protected]) at the Graduate School to discuss your request is strongly encouraged. Please plan to meet a minimum of 2 weeks prior to submission deadline to ensure adequate time for scheduling, feedback and any necessary revisions to your request.
7. Submit your request at least 7 days before a GSA Funding Board meeting or it will not be considered.

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How to Submit your GSA Funding Request:

​​​​Note: Please have the details and documents of your request (budget, expense documentation) ready before you begin the request process. You will not be able to save your request without finishing. 

1. Log onto Lakerlink.

2. Click on "Activities" tab.

3. Find the specific GSA Funding Request you will want to submit.  One way to do this is to search for “GSA Funding” in the search bar.  There are three different funding options:

   1. For Registered Student Organization Conference/Event Travel:  GSA Funding: Budget Request for Graduate Registered Student Organization (RSO) for Conference Travel.

   2. For Individual Conference/Event Travel: GSA Funding: Budget Request for Individual Graduate Student Conference Travel

   3. For Campus Programming Events: GSA Funding: Budget Request for Graduate Registered Student Organization (RSO) Campus Programming.

4. Click on the specific GSA Funding Request and fill out the form.  

5. When finished, the GSA will review your request and let you know if your request needs any amendments, or if it is ready to be presented at the Graduate Funding Board Meeting.

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What to expect after submitting your Funding Request: 

1. The GSA Finance Officer will acknowledge the receipt of funding requests, review funding requests and may give recommendations, as needed, in a timely manner.
2. The GSA Finance Officer will call a monthly GSA Funding Board meeting to discuss approval of any proposed funding requests. Find Funding Board meeting schedule here. 
3. The graduate RSO asking for funds will present their proposal at the GSA Funding Board Meeting. 
4. GSA Funding Board Committee may ask questions and propose changes to the proposal(s), if needed. 
5. Requests will be passed by a majority vote. 
6. Requests will be approved on Laker Link by GSA Finance Officer after the vote.
7. GSA Finance Officer will contact the Financial Officer or individual student approved for funding with the next steps, including an introduction to the Graduate School Professional Support Staff for processing. 
8. Graduate RSO should choose one representative to discuss the details/logistics of receiving the funding with Graduate School Professional Support Staff.
9. Graduate Student Organizations need to fill out an online event assessment form within 14 days after each specific program, event or conference. Event and travel assessment forms can be found on the LakerLink profile of GSA under forms.

Presenting your Funding Board Request

Common Questions

During the GSA Funding Board meeting, you will most likely be asked the following questions (that relate to your request). Please review them below and be prepared to answer them.

Conference Travel Requests

• How does this conference relate to your graduate field of study?
• How will your RSO (if applicable) benefit from your attendance at this conference?
• How will the GVSU Graduate Student community benefit from your attendance at this conference?

Event Requests

• How will this event benefit Grand Valley State University and the Graduate Student community?
• Has your organization done any fundraising?
• What funds are your organization paying for?
• Do you have a set number of participants that want to attend?
• Why is this event so important to your organization to get funding?
• Has the GSA Funding Board funded this event in the past?
  • If so, how much did we fund?
  • If not, why did we deny the request?

Visit LakerLink or the Registered Student Organization Handbook for additional information or to access any forms, such as rental/travel forms, event assessment forms, or reimburssment forms.

Contact Laker Food Co. for Student Organization Menu.

Food Waiver

Contact the GSA Finance Officer at [email protected] for additional funding information or questions.