What does GAPSA Finance do? . . .

The Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA), Division of Finance manages the budget for GAPSA, funds G12+ constituent partners, graduate student groups, and individual students, as well as drafts the financial reports for all of them. Please contact gapsa.finance@gapsa.upenn.edu with any questions.

How is GAPSA Finance structured? . . .

The Division of Finance comprises of three subcommittees, four functional departments, and GAPSA Advisory Services (GAS). The Division of Finance is chaired by the GAPSA Vice President of Finance. The three subcommittees are budget, financial reporting, and fund management, and are chaired by their respective directors. The four functional wings are financial administration, interschool partnership, purchasing, and revenue and are chaired by their respective deputy directors. The GAPSA Advisory Services (GAS) comprises of the GAPSA Finance Associations Council (GFAC), and Finance Advisory Board (FAB).

Where can I learn more about individual grants? . . .

Please refer to our page on individual grants.

Where can I learn more about group funding? . . .

Please refer to our page on group funding.

What is the Sunshine Policy? . . .

The Sunshine Policy is a budget mandate established by the General Assembly and GAPSA Finance to promote financial transparency and accountability, including:

• Consolidated Statement of Accounts reported monthly
• All direct or indirect support by GAPSA requires disclosure of budgeted and actual expenses and revenue, including funding sources
• GAPSA Advisory Services (GAS) to certify compliance with funding guidelines
• All support promotes open community and inclusion, representative form of governance
• Discretionary Fund application sponsorship from GA members

What is the Advertising Policy? . . .

The Advertising Policy requires all student groups recieving funding from GAPSA (in part or full) to advertise their events through the GAPSA newsletter. To advertise in the newsletter, please fill this application. To advertise on our social media, please email gapsa.pr@gapsa.upenn.edu.

What is the Branding Policy? . . .

The Branding Policy requires all individual students recieving funding from GAPSA (in part or full) to acknowledge GAPSA in any document produced as a result of the grant. Additionally, it requires all student groups to use the 'GAPSA Funded' logo on all publicity materials. The logos can be found here

What are After-action Reviews? . . .

After-action reviews (AAR) are the reports of budgeted vs actual expenditure, attendance, and revenue. AAR also includes proofs of compliance with GAPSA policy. Please file AAR here.

What are Umbrella Student Organizations? . . .

In order to assist student groups with collaborating and coordinating activities and programs around shared interests, GAPSA Finance encourages student groups to associate in Umbrella Student Organizations (USOs). USOs provide co-investment strategies as well as support for programming and funding initiatives. The following USOs are organizing:

• Academic/Professional
• Community Service
• Performing Arts
• Political/Advocacy
• Religious/Spiritual
• Sports/Recreational
• Peer Education and Support
• G12 Student Government

What is the Lending Vehicle program? . . .

The Lending Vehicle is a limited GAPSA Finance pre-approved loan program for IDEAL, SGEF, and G12 organizations to help accelerate cash-flow early in the school year for programming and recruitment. For more info, email: gapsa.finance@gapsa.upenn.com.

• IDEAL: borrow the greater of $1,000 or up to 50% of prior year Empowerment Fund base grant; must be participating in Empowerment Fund; secured by this year's Empowerment Fund awards and any carryover.
• SGEF: borrow up to 50% of prior year revenue; must be participating in Cash In-Kind program; secured by this year's GAPSA awards and any carryover.
• G12: borrow up to 50% of prior year GAP investment; must be participating in GAP; secured by this year's GAPSA contribution and any carryover; outsanding balances are due by conclusion of fiscal year.
• Note: loan limits are subject to change.

Who makes the funding award decisions? . . .

The GAPSA General Assembly (GA) authorizes GAPSA's budget each year. Funding awards are decided based on fund. Discretionary Fund decisions are made by the GA. Academic Event Fund (AEF) decisions are made by the Research Student Council. Empowerment Fund decisions are made by the IDEAL Student Council. All other decisions are made by the Division of Finance.

Can a group/event funding decision be appealed? . . .

Eligible graduate and professional student groups with standing may appeal a funding recommendation or decision of the Division of Finance to the General Assembly (GA). The appeal must be filed in the fiscal year (7/1-6/30) of the application while the GA is in session. (Note: the GA does not meet in the summer.) In order to seek an appeal to the GA, the appellant must initiate the appeal by sending an email to gapsa.finance@gapsa.upenn.edu and obtaining the endorsement of two-thirds of the appellant's school (G12+ constituent partner) delegation of GAPSA GA representatives.

How are applicants notified of award decisions? . . .

Applicants are notified of decisions by email. Awards are also posted on the GAPSA website. Each applicant will subsequently receive an award letter or decline letter with related instructions.

How can I learn more about GAPSA funding and budgeting? . . .

GAPSA Finance sponsors a number of recurring training sessions of the GAPSA Advisory Services (GAS). As part of GAPSA's outreach initiatives, we discuss GAPSA funding, navigating Concur, planning fundraisers, and making a budget.

How do I get involved with GAPSA? . . .

To learn more about how to get involved with GAPSA and the university, click here. To get involved with GAPSA Finance, please email gapsa.finance@gapsa.upenn.edu.