Student Government Funding Tiers

The Student Government Association categorizes student organizations to help determine financial needs, which are called tiers. Such restrictions and amounts are determined by the SGA Bylaws with amounts that may vary due to each new administration. For recognized student organizations to receive funding, they may restrict membership to only fee paying NIU students nor collect dues or impose any other restrictions for membership outside of what SGA requires. Organizations may still be given recognition even if certain conditions are not true but may affect their financial standing with SGA. SGA maintains 6 different tiers for funding purposes, annual and supplemental:

1. Tier 1 – Governing Councils & Sports/Recreation
   1. Any entity where a middle person(s) or entity is involved for the distribution of funds to those under their oversight. This includes sports organizations under the Recreation or Governing Councils.
2. Tier 2 – Competitive Organizations
   1.  Organizations, regardless of their affiliation with a university department, that participate in at least three (3) competitions per semester.
3. Tier 3 – Academic-Sponsored Affiliated Organizations
   1. Organizations affiliated with a university department or specific academic interest that serve a larger portion of the student population.
4. Tier 4 – Non-Affiliated Organizations
   1. Student organizations that are not affiliated with university departments or specific academic interests. They aim to serve more specialized constituents of the student body.
5. Tier 5 – Non-funded Organizations
   1. Organizations, regardless of their affiliation with university departments or current tier, that have not applied for annual funding. This includes recently recognized student organizations.
6. Tier 6 - Restricted Organizations
   1. All organizations that are recognized by Student Government Association but have some levels of restrictive elements are ineligible for any funding from Student Government Association.

You may use this information to determine the maximum amount of funds your student organization may be eligible for. Such amounts are maximums, and SGA does not imply that all requested amounts will be given as it is decided during SGA Finance Committee. For information about your organizations specific tier or other funding related questions, please reach out to the SGA Treasurer at sga@niu.edu.