What if I forget to fill out one part of the application?
The Funding Board will not review incomplete applications. Please check your application a couple of times prior to turning it in to make sure all is completed.
What is a vendor Quote and how do I get one?
A vendor quote is a piece of paper signed by the USC vendor indicating the required items, the cost of the items and the signature of the vendor. Make sure to include the vendor’s name and the contact information (address and phone number).
What type of an event can receive funding?
General meetings with food are the most popular events funding is applied for. However any event that exposes students to the engineering industry including info sessions and field trips can receive funding. Note that field trips to theme parks/entertainment and such will not be approved.
How much can I spend per event/per semester?
You are allowed to receive up to 10% of the money allocated for organizational use in the Student Activity Fee account per semester. Funds are allocated on a first come first serve basis. If you want to know how much you have spent or how much more you are eligible for, please contact the Funding Board to be sure.
How early can I apply?
You can apply as early as you would like as long as the complete application is turned in by the Tuesday 2 weeks prior to the event. We absolutely must give the office a week to review applications approved by the funding board. We recommend that you apply three weeks in advance just in case something is missing or further information is required about your application from the funding board.
Who pays for the event I applied for?
If your purchase will be from an official USC vendor you will receive a Purchase Order number that you will provide your vendor via fax to let them know the University will pay for the order, please contact your vendor as soon as you get the Purchase Order number in the email from the Funding Board. If you desire to purchase items from a nonofficial USC vendor you will have to pay for the items yourself and get reimbursed the following week. Please view the reimbursement directions on the previous page for more details. If the vendor refuses to accept a Purchase Order number you will have to pay for your items and apply for reimbursement the following week.
How soon do I know if my application is approved?
The funding board meets every Tuesday to review applications. You will receive an email of the pending status of your application on Tuesday of the same week you turn in the application. The applications are then given to the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs for final review.
Do I order the food for the event?
It is your responsibility to order the food the office only approves the funding request. Make sure to order the food a couple of business days in advance to allow your vendor to process the Purchase Order number from USC.
If I did not turn in an application can I pay for the event and get reimbursed later?
No. The reimbursement option is only available if your vendor is not an official USC vendor or if the vendor refuses to accept payment through the purchase order number from USC. Please note that VSC funding is only available if you apply through a completed application.
What is a Post Event and do I need to turn it in for every event?
A post event allows the funding board to see how the event went and get a better idea of what type of events should be approved. A post event also confirms that the event took place with a sign up sheet and the list of emails of the students who attended. A post event form must be turned in for each event within a week of the event date. Please note that you may not apply for funding without turning in post events from a previous event.
Are there additional requirements to apply for funding besides filling out the funding application?
All Post Event forms must also be turned in before applying for a new funding request. You must be in good standing with the Student Activity Fee Funding Board
