The funding, paid for in large part through the student ASMSU tax included in tuition, contributes to clubs and student organizations across campus seeking financial support to fund events, and for aspiring RSOs to get needed money to start functioning. 

“The Student Allocation Board is made up of 12 to 21 undergraduate students that applied,” ASMSU vice president for student allocations Harsna Chahal said. “(The board's) goal is to listen to RSOs present, just like a 10-minute presentation, (on) why they need the funding, what kind of events or projects they're gonna use it, and how does this benefit the undergraduate students.”

The SAB splits candidate RSOs into two categories based on their needs: general and startup.

A general candidate is any RSO that is currently functioning and is registered with student life. These applicants can apply for up to $4,500 for their event. The application process takes two to three hours and consists of a brief questionnaire, a description of how the funding will benefit the student body and a budget proposal, in which applicants will list all their expected expenses to form a budget.

While the budget is open to various expenses for the many differing needs of RSOs across campus, gifts or items meant to be kept, such as gift cards, T-shirts and scholarships are not allowed to be included because of concerns regarding nepotism and inclusion. 

“The 'up to $4,500' (category) asks more detailed questions... you have the option to choose between picking a conference a project base or event base, and then within those categories there’s specific questions asking what your event contains,” Chahal said. “You have to create a budget sheet for the general funding ... listing specifically what items you’re asking for.”

A startup applicant is any RSO currently seeking to begin operation. RSO consultant for ASMSU Macken Keefe describes this application process as “more streamlined,” as it only requires a proposal for how the new RSO will spend the money it is given and explain how their organization will contribute to MSU if it successfully starts up. 

Keefe stressed in an interview that the SAB is eager to help and encourages anyone who thinks they may be interested to reach out and apply. To get more information, contact an ASMSU representative or visit the Student Allocations website.