The Student Activities Allocation Committee is now accepting applications for 2026-27 funding. Applications are open until March 13 at 4:30 p.m. Student organizations and university departments are eligible to apply.
Leah Adinolfi, dean of student engagement, explained the purpose of SAAC funding: “This is for operational costs throughout the year. So, groups that may have a broad audience or are fulfilling a need that is unmet by the university…have this opportunity for…an operating budget for the year,” she said.
While BUC Fund provides allocations for specific events, SAAC funding focuses on operating costs. The Student Government Association’s operating costs are provided through SAAC funding, as are some of Buctainment’s, Black Affairs and many other campus organizations and even offices. The Office of Sustainability and the ETSU Graduate School both utilize SAAC funding.
“For student organizations, you do have to be a registered, recognized organization on campus,” Adinolfi said. “This is student activity money, so it’s got to be extracurricular.”
For registered student organizations interested in applying, Adinolfi encourages attendance of the interest sessions on Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. and Feb. 25 at 3 p.m. Both meetings will be held virtually and the link to join can be found on the ETSU SAAC webpage.
“The big thing that I need to caution folks about that always comes up year after year, is that they do have to have someone, ideally their advisor, willing…to administer the fund,” said Adinolfi.
Although all recognized student organizations can apply for funding, and many receive it, organizations using SAAC funding must comply with ETSU accounting practices.
“When [organizations] receive funding, basically an account with the university is set up for that funding, and you have to follow all of the rules so that we are in compliance as a nonprofit organization in the state of Tennessee,” Adinolfi said. “Typically, every student organization is required to have a full-time faculty or staff advisor…ideally, that person would be willing to be the administrator for the fund.”
Adinolfi urges student groups to consult with their advisor to ensure that they are willing and able to serve as the financial manager for the group.
Organizations and departments pursuing SAAC funding must complete the application on the ETSU website and a budget spreadsheet. For more information, students are encouraged to attend an interest meeting or direct questions to Student Center Office Coordinator Leslie Hollenbeck, hollenbecklj@etsu.edu.
