Guide to filling out your budget application online

LOGIN PAGE

Select your student group from a drop-down list, and type in your student group password. This is the same password used to update your Stars information from year to year. If you do not know it, the SGA Accounts office can tell you what it is. SGA Accounts Office: (301)314-7158. They are located in the Stamp Student Union 0209S.
Note: ONLY the President or Treasurer may request their student group password!

On the next page, read the introduction letter and click Continue. You will be able to return to this page later. It contains important information from the Treasurer's Manual as well as useful contact information and links to this Online tutorial as well as to the Treasurer's Manual.

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OFFICER INFORMATION PAGE

On the Officer Information page, you will be prompted for contact information for your President and Treasurer. Use current emails and phone numbers that you use regularly, as these will be our primary means of communication with you. If the incorrect President and/or Treasurer shows up, you must go to www.stars.umd.edu and update your groups' information before proceding with the application.

You will also be asked if you want a hearing with the Finance Committee. Hearings are optional and should be no longer than 5 minutes. The Finance Committee will ask specific questions and give groups the opportunity to discuss any unique circumstances that might affect funding. Please do not lobby us; we do not need to hear a history or how great your group's programming is. If there is something in your budget you feel was not explained properly in writing, this would be the time to make it clear. You can also contact VP Finance Maria Rescigno at any time.

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MAIN -PROGRAM LIST PAGE

The next page prompts you to begin entering specific programs for your budget. A program can be an event sponsored by a student group, or a list of general fiscal needs the student group needs in order to operate.

The yellow navigation bar at the top will be present on every page after this to allow quick, easy access to all of the functions and resources available in this online system.

(Later on, you will return to this page to view a list of all your programs and the total amounts requested for each, as you see above. When you are finished entering in all your programs and the line items for them all, click the "Review and Submit" option on the yellow navigation panel.)

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PROGRAM INPUT PAGE

Program Name: You can type in anything, as long as it reflects what it is you need money for. General Operations is the typical name given for programs that involve office supplies, membership dues, etc., that are not associated with a particular event. Otherwise, your program name can be as unique as "Night of Love and Sex," if that description properly describes your event or need.

Program Rank: If you have multiple programs in your budget, the SGA Finance Committee needs to know what your priorities are, so that in the case where we may need to adjust funding levels, we will know where your needs will be least impacted.

Primary Program TYPE: This list consists of types of programming that broadly describe the physical elements of the program. This helps the Finance Committee to better understand your program.

Primary Program PURPOSE: This list consists of categories that describe the intended purpose of a program. This helps the Finance Committee to better understand your program.

Anticipated Attendance: How many UMD students are you expecting at this event? (if your program is not an event, leave this blank.)

Previous Year's Attendance: If this event has been done before in previous years, how many UMD students came out to it then? If this number is significantly different from your anticipated attendance, we will want to know why there is a discrepancy; communicate this in the "description of Program" field later on this page.

Admission Charge: How much does it cost for a student to participate in this program?

Admission Amount: Only if there is an admission charge!

Additional Sources of Funds for This Event: Where else could you expect to receive funds from for this program? Groups are expected and encouraged to generate a sizeable portion of the funds needed to implement their programs. The Finance Committee tends to look favorably on groups that fundraise for their programs, because it demonstrates initiative and commitment, which insures proper planning and funding for good programming. That's how we make a difference on our campus.

Description of Program In Relation to Group's Mission: Summarize the program in no more than 150 words, please. Write this section in such a manner that even someone unfamiliar with the program will have a clear understanding of why your group needs the funding.

Click Submit when you are finished. You may return and change this information anytime later in the application.

Click the link on the next page to go to the Line Item input page and enter in Line Items for this program.

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LINE ITEM INPUT PAGE

Rank: Just as for programs, the Finance Committee needs to know what your priorities are, so that in the case where we may need to adjust funding levels, we will know where your needs will be least impacted.

Line Item: Select the appropriate line item that describes what you need money for. For an in-depth description of every line item, please refer to page 11 of the Treasurer's Manual. Click here for examples of general types of information that is needed for each line item.

Expected Total Cost: This is how much money you will need for this particular line item.

Amount Requested from SGA: In most cases for most groups, this tends to be the same as the total expected cost, but in case you have other funding sources, fundraise, or charge admission for an event, this cost may be lower.

Itemized Cost Breakdown: What is it exactly you hope to buy? We understand that it may be difficult to be very specific a whole year ahead of time, but please be as detailed as possible. Give as many factual details as you can to support the requested funds for each line item. Refer to page 11 of the Treasurer's Manual for specific line items.

Documentation and Cost Quote: How do you know what this stuff costs? Where do you plan on buying the products/services for which you are asking here? In order to insure that we allocate money in places where it will be used for the good of the student body, the Finance Committee needs to know that you know where you'll purchase stuff.

Note: You can edit line items and add new ones later to any program, as long as you have not yet finally submitted your budget.

Click Submit after completing each Line Item. You will be brought back to the Program Input Page where you can enter new line items, and edit or delete line items you have already input. You may also return to the Main Page to enter new programs.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What happens if I submitted my budget, but I forgot to add something to the application?
Contact Andrew Steinberg (umdvpfinance@gmail.com or 301-314-5801) he can have your submission reset.

I have hard copies of invoices, website printouts, and other materials that can not be typed into a text box here. How do I get them to you?
Attach them to the 2 printed copies of your application that you must turn in, and please clearly mark what part of your budget each additional piece of information is referring to.

I do not know my student group password for Stars.
Contact the SGA Accounts office (x47158), located in the Stamp Student Union.

I am having technical difficulties with the website.
Contact Andrew Steinberg (umdvpfinance@gmail.com or 301-314-5801) as soon as possible and we will see if we can troubleshoot the problem.

Where can I read about the Finance Committee guidelines?
Refer to the SGA Treasurer's Manual.

I am hopeless. I need help with everything!
Come to either the Budget Help Workshop, or contact Andrew Steinberg (umdvpfinance@gmail.com or 301-314-5801) to set up an appointment.

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