Requests for funding must come from a Registered Student Organization (RSO)

Learn more about applying to become a Registered Student Organization

Events and activities must provide opportunities for cross-cultural exchange through educational and cultural programs and encourage intercultural interaction between students and community members from diverse cultures.

Your organization must explain how culture sharing will be achieved in your application. It is not enough to bring diverse groups of people together. A culture sharing event must teach attendees something about your culture. 

Applications must be received by email at least 3 weeks before your event date.

RSOs can request up to $500 for the entire academic year (beginning of fall semester to the end of spring semester). However, approval amount is dependent on funding availability and funds are not guaranteed. Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Depending on what the needs are for your organization's programs, funding can be dispersed either for one large event or in smaller increments during the year for smaller events. You must fill out an application every time you request funding because funding support is event specific. OISS will reimburse the actual amount spent up to the pre-approved amount.

OISS funding CANNOT be used for any of the following:

• Maintaining an office (e.g. telephones, office machinery, office supplies, etc.)
• Purchasing alcoholic beverages
• Sponsoring partisan political events or fundraisers
• Paying off financial loans or existing debts
• Paying for awards ceremonies or meals limited to your members or officers
• Attendance at a conference, competition or similar event
• Purchasing Gift cards, gifts, prizes and any equipment (amps, speakers, projectors, etc.)
• For-profit fundraising

OISS WILL NOT reimburse:

RSOs student accounts or credit cards used for paying ON-CAMPUS vendors. OISS must directly pay for all on-campus vendors used by your organization. Although RSOs may be asked to provide an AR account number in an order form, you must make sure your account is not charged.

Pre-Event Procedures 

• Direct to Student Group Funding Application.
• Thoroughly read all the terms and conditions before proceeding with the application.
• Complete the event information and description sections of the application in detail.
• Upload a Detailed Financial Statement (Itemized Program Budget) to the application.
• Submit your application form via Qualtrics. We no longer accept hard copies or old application form in Excel format. 
• After your application submission, we will be in touch shortly regarding the funding decision. After initial approval or your application, your RSO will be instructed to make a pre-event appointment with Krista in OISS.

Post-Event Procedures 

• Within 14 days of your event, you are required to fill and submit the Event Evaluation and Reimbursement Form. You will not receive any reimbursements if you fail to do so in time. 
• Make a post-event appointment with Krista in OISS to turn in a printed Detailed Financial Statement (Itemized Program Expenses) along with all ITEMIZED receipts and bills for reimbursement processing.
• Receive reimbursement (approximately 4-6 weeks after post-event appointment). 

• RSOs must not make any profit from an OISS sponsored event.
• Events must be inclusive to all cultures and members of the community and must be open to the public.
• If any details (date, location, time) of an approved event changes, you must immediately notify OISS. Failure to do so will result in the loss of OISS funding for the event.
• The funding amount and approval is final.
• OISS will not reimburse items or extra funds that were not pre-approved.
• You must schedule a meeting with OISS, after receiving the initial funding approval email from OISS and before making any purchases or orders. Failing to attend this meeting will result in the cancellation of OISS sponsorship for your event.
• Do not advertise the event until the funding request has been approved and all expenses and purchasing procedures have been approved. 
• OISS will promote your event on our Calendar of Events and social media.
• If your event will be held on campus, you must also apply for approval from Student Life using the RSO Community.  You must submit the application through the RSO Community one week in advance of promoting an event or selling tickets in areas such as the International Center lobby, Wells Hall, etc.

Post-event evaluation is critical to improving your events each year and is required by OISS. After your event, your organization is required to submit the Event Evaluation and Reimbursement Form.

Note: The deadline for submission of this form is two weeks (14 days) after the date of your event. Failing to submit the forms and receipts will result in a withdrawal of OISS sponsorship.

Acceptable methods of payment

On-Campus MSU Expenses

• Direct billing (for vendors only such as Wharton Center, Spartys, Kellogg Center, Campus Bookstore, MSU Union, Green coats, printing, etc.): At your pre-event meeting with Vicky Lee at OISS you must inform her any on-campus vendors you are using, so she can provide the OISS account number to them in advance of your event. Also, tell her if you have additional sponsors sharing costs of the event.

Do NOT pay for MSU products or services from RSO AR accounts or personal credit card and ask to be reimbursed!

Off-Campus Expenses

• Keep all ITEMIZED receipts and bills and attach them to the printed "financial" page of the Evaluation and Reimbursement Form. 

Only one person will be reimbursed for each event even if multiple people paid for items with personal credit cards. The person who receives the reimbursement for each receipt is responsible for paying back other organization members.

If the event is canceled, OISS cannot provide any funding. The group is responsible for any funds that have already been spent.