FAQs

Faculty, staff, and students who propose public programs that promote educational and extracurricular activities on campus are eligible to apply.

Grant cycles are held once a year in the fall semester. Please visit the Applying for a Grant page for key dates and deadlines.

Yes, student organizations are eligible to apply for FSA grants.

The typical grant awarded is around $1,500, but larger or smaller amounts may be approved depending on the scope and ambition of your proposed programming. Don’t feel limited by the average—request the funding your project truly needs.

• A completed online application form
• Program description and outline
• Detailed budget
• Flyer or promotional material
• Attendance estimate
• Speaker biographies or resumes (if applicable)

You may submit your application with rough or preliminary information, including a description of the type of speaker you plan to bring to campus. Typical honorariums range from $500–$1,500, depending on the speaker; however, honorarium payments are only made after the event has occurred. Applicants are encouraged to reach out to fsa@buffalostate.edu with preliminary information to discuss details before submitting their application.

Yes, programs must have a physical presence on the Buffalo State campus. A hybrid component is allowed, but fully remote events are not eligible.

Programs must be free and open to all members of the campus community. Any revenue generated (e.g., admission fees) will be deducted from the awarded FSA grant.

Yes, previous recipients may apply again, but FSA funding cannot be used to support the same program year after year once it is established. In some cases, programs may receive funding for a few consecutive years when they are first founded or launched on campus. Applicants may also submit proposals in successive years for new programs or initiatives, or for programming with a different focus. This ensures the fund supports a variety of campus activities rather than serving as a recurring budget source.

Yes, grant funds cannot be used for:

• Bulk gift cards, coupons, giveaways, or incentive gifts
• Physical materials not directly related to program participation
• Speaker meals/dinners/lunches not contemporaneous with the funded event
• Advances; FSA only reimburses or pays vendors directly

FSA grants are awarded in the fall, with recipients announced in December. Grantees generally have the entire following calendar year to complete their program and spend the awarded funds. For example, a grant awarded in December 2025 would need to be used by December 31, 2026.

FSA Grant Application – Preview Questions

Q: Is funding being requested for a single program/date/event (as opposed to generalized funding)?
A: Yes / No

Q: What is the title of the program?
A: [Text field]

Q: What is the date of the program?
A: [Date field]

Q: Who is the project director/organizer?
A: [Name]

Q: What is the project director’s contact information?

• Email: [Email]
• Phone: [Phone Number]
• Campus Address: [Address]

Q: What is the total amount requested?
A: $0.00

Q: What is the type of applicant?
A: Faculty / Staff / Other

Q: Who will this program benefit?
A: Students / Faculty / Community / Other

Q: Where will the program take place?
A: On-campus / Online / Hybrid

Q: Is the program free for all students, faculty, staff, and alumni to attend?
A: Yes / No

Q: What is the target or maximum attendance?
A: [Number]

Q: What is the program description and significance to the campus community?
A: [Open text field; include program history if applicable]

Q: What is the program/event outline?
A: [Open text field; please be as specific as possible]

Funding Request Sheet

Q: How should the funding request be detailed?
Please provide:

1. A breakdown of requested amounts by category.
2. The expense category (e.g., UPD, honorarium, lodging, speaker fees, travel, advertising).
3. Other funding sources and their contributions.
4. A description of how FSA funding will be used.

Q: Is there any additional information you would like the review committee to consider?
A: [Open text field]

All requests must be submitted in writing to fsa@buffalostate.edu using the Grant Disbursement Request Form (Word/PDF). Each request must include all relevant invoices, receipts, or supporting documentation. A separate form must be submitted for each check requested. Allow 5–7 business days for processing.

Yes. If you have already paid a vendor, you may submit a reimbursement request before your event occurs. Honorariums must be requested after the event, and FSA can also pay vendors directly if invoices are submitted.

No more than one-third of the total grant funds used may be spent on food, beverages, or associated items. This is based on the total spent, not the total awarded. Starting in fall 2023, speaker meals that don’t occur during the event cannot be funded; speaker meal per diems should be included in honorarium totals.

Any changes to your program, including speakers or event location, should be communicated to fsa@buffalostate.edu as soon as possible. Your grant disbursement request should reflect the updated details. Please see the question below regarding funding category limits.

Use the wording “funded by” or “partially funded by the Faculty-Student Association” on all promotional materials. FSA does not sponsor events, so avoid suggesting sponsorship.

For disbursement, provide all invoices, receipts, and supporting documentation (posters, agendas, etc.). After the program, submit a summary report including a description of the event, attendance, and participant feedback. You will not be eligible for future grants until this report is submitted.

Funding categories are fixed, and funds cannot be shifted between categories. The Board of Directors may approve alterations before the program date, but such changes are generally discouraged due to the careful consideration given during the initial review. Approved amounts for each category are confirmed in the grant award letter, and questions about allocations should be addressed in advance.

Yes. Submit a Grant Disbursement Request Form (Word/PDF) with invoices/receipts and supporting documentation. Payment will be processed within 5–7 business days.

Yes. FSA can pay vendors directly if invoices are submitted with the Grant Disbursement Request Form.

Yes. Department accounts may be reimbursed if proper documentation is submitted along with the Grant Disbursement Request Form (Word/PDF).

No. All grant funds must be used within the grant year. Grants are awarded in the fall semester, and funds must be expended during the following calendar year.

The Grant Disbursement Request Form (Word/PDF) is available on the FSA website. All reimbursement requests must be submitted using this form to fsa@buffalostate.edu.

The Faculty-Student Association (FSA) is a non-profit corporation associated with Buffalo State University, not a committee or student group. It exists to support educational and extracurricular activities that benefit the campus community. The organization is operated by a Board of Directors, whose members have fiduciary duties and legal responsibilities to manage the corporation’s funds, approve budgets, set policy, and oversee the execution of programs. Membership and voting procedures are defined in the FSA bylaws, which distinguish the board from typical campus clubs or committees.

• Undergraduate students: Elected by the Undergraduate Student Government (USG)
• Graduate students: Elected by the Graduate Student Association (GSA)
• Faculty and professional staff: May self-nominate or be nominated; elected by eligible peers
• Administrative representative: Appointed by the College administration
• Alumni/faculty-staff emeritus: Nominated and elected by the FSA Board of Directors

Elections are held annually. Board members serve two-year terms, except for the alumnus/faculty-staff emeritus member, who serves five years. In the first year of a new board cycle, some members may be elected for one-year terms to stagger board transitions.

Yes. Four student members serve on the board, including at least one graduate student.

The full FSA bylaws are available online and include details on board composition, member duties, elections, terms of office, meetings, and amendments. Archival records related to the Faculty-Student Association are also included in the digital collection, providing additional context and historical information about the organization. The collection can be accessed here: FSA Bylaws and Archives