At Iowa State, your Student Activity Fee supports many parts of campus life. One portion is managed directly by Student Government. Students, through their elected Senate and Finance Committee, decide how these funds are used.

• Allocations to Student Organizations
  The largest share of the budget goes here, providing funding to hundreds of recognized student organizations. This money supports events, competitions, travel, equipment, and other needs that help student groups thrive.
• Allocations to Campus & Community Partners
  Student Government contributes to Ames-area nonprofits and campus partners (such as ASSET) that provide vital services to students and the community.
• Allocations for Campus Improvements
  Dedicated funding for student-driven campus enhancements like new water bottle filling stations, better outdoor lighting, and other small-scale improvements that make campus safer, more sustainable, and more enjoyable.
• Government Advocacy
  Resources that support advocacy efforts on behalf of students at the campus, state, and federal levels.
• Operating Overhead
  The administrative costs of running Student Government, ensuring that elected leaders and staff have the resources needed to manage funds responsibly and transparently.

Have More Questions? Email stugov@iastate.edu

Recommendations are made by student representatives through the Student Government Finance Committee, which reviews requests, sets priorities, and votes on allocations. Recommendations are then approved by the full Senate.

You can:

• Join Student Government
• Submit funding requests if you’re part of a student organization
• Attend open Senate meetings where budgets are debated and approved
• Share feedback in surveys that guide annual funding priorities

Your fee still benefits you:

• Free or discounted access to concerts, movies, and lectures.
• Legal services, wellness support, and advocacy resources.
• Campus sustainability and facility improvements

Even if you don’t use them every day, these services are available when you need them, and they help create the vibrant campus community that all Cyclones are part of.

Organizations that receive funding must submit detailed line-item budgets with their requests. Once approved, they are required to spend funds exactly as listed, unless they obtain permission to reallocate for another purpose. Every dollar is tracked to ensure alignment with Student Government’s funding priorities and allocation criteria, promoting responsible and transparent use of student fee money.