Request Funding

Current Mathematics graduate students may request funding for a variety of reasons, whether for professional development or unexpected financial hardship. A funding request is required for both advanced payment requests and reimbursement requests.

Requests are accepted on a rolling basis; however, funds are usually disbursed at the beginning of each quarter. 

How to Request Money

1. Write a funding proposal using the guidelines outlined below.

2. Complete the 2024 - 2025 Mathematics Funding Request Form.

3. Complete the Post Spending Report From for any previous Advance Payment requests. 

Deadline & Submission​

Proposals ​must be submitted using the funding request form ​in a timely manner. The recommended deadline is at least 30 days prior to the date of need (reimbursements) or the quarter prior to the date of need (advanced payments). 

Planning Your Proposal

The first step in planning your funding proposal is to meet with your Faculty Advisor or Faculty Mentor and discuss the content of the event and its relevance to your progress and development. Upon Faculty Advisor or Faculty Mentor approval of the event, complete your funding proposal as outlined below. 

Funding requests are limited to $1,000 per request, and a singular student may submit up to three requests per year. Requests above $1,000 or beyond the three request limit may be considered on a case by case basis.

Writing Your Proposal: Funding Proposal Guidelines

• Paragraph 1 - Nature of the Request​: ​State your request as clearly as possible.
  • Who are you?
  • What is the money for?
  • When is the event?/When will you need the money?
  • Where is the event?/Where will you be going?
• Paragraph 2 - Background and Rationale​:​ Describe the context for your proposal and its nature. 
  • What is the justification for funding? 
  • What goals are trying to be achieved?
  • How the endeavor relate to you?
  • Identify special needs and expenses.
• Paragraph 3 - Impact on Teaching and Learning​:​ Include any integration with departmental or programmatic benefits or improvements.
  • Why is it important?
  • How will this benefit the Department?
  • What's the return on the investment?
• Paragraph 4 - Detailed Budget​:​ A thoroughly researched budget is required for every proposal. ​
  • Include a line-by-line breakdown of projected expenditures including budgeted wages, supplies​,​ or equipment​ ​prices. You are strongly encouraged to seek matching funds from other​ ​sources whenever possible.
  • Include documentation of each estimated cost, such as a webpage print or product links showing current rates.
  • Add 8% to the cost of materials to cover tax. Do not forget to include any shipping charges.
  • International students and domestic students traveling abroad should add 15% to the total if requesting advanced payment instead of reimbursement.
  • If you choose to drive to a location you must provide a cost comparison of a plane ticket.
• End of Proposal - Proposal Endorsement​: Present the funding proposal to your faculty advisor for endorsement.
  • Your faculty advisor's signature should be present at the end of the proposal denoting that it has been reviewed and endorsed by them. 
  • If you do not have a faculty advisor, you may request approval instead from your faculty mentor or other department affiliate that is relevant to the nature of your request. 
  • If your request is due to personal hardship, gain approval from the graduate program coordinator. 

Post-Spending Reporting

If you requested an advance payment, documentation of all spending need to be reported. Future funding requests will not be considered if a post-spending report for prior funding requests was not submitted. Spending which exceeded your initial funding request may be considered for reimbursement on a case by case basis.