
The University of Michigan offers various resources and opportunities for students to get involved and create their own organizations. There are two types of student organizations: Registered Student Organizations (RSO) and Sponsored Student Organizations (SSO). To be considered an SSO, the sponsoring unit must provide the organization with an operating budget/financial sponsorship, office space, logo use, and/or a staff advisor. Students can also seek external sponsors to support their educational expenses, with the sponsor invoicing the university. The university has a Student Organization Naming Policy to prevent misleading affiliations, and certain types of organizations, such as religious or political groups, are not eligible for sponsored status.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| University | University of Michigan |
| Sponsorship type | Financial |
| Student organization type | Sponsored Student Organization (SSO) |
| Registration | Required, with the Office of Student Life (OSL) |
| Re-registration | Annually |
| Agreement | Student Organization Sponsorship Agreements must be completed annually as part of registration |
| Sponsoring unit | Must provide the organization with an advisor, operating budget/financial sponsorship, office space, logo use, and/or staff advisor |
| Sponsoring unit relationship | Must establish and maintain a close relationship with the Sponsoring Unit |
| Sponsoring unit agreement | Formal agreement between the sponsoring department and student organization is required |
| Sponsoring unit payment | The University will invoice sponsors during the term but not until after the drop and add period has passed; sponsors have 30 days to pay |
| Student liability | Students are legally responsible for paying the full cost of their educational expenses if their sponsor does not pay |
| Additional documents | Any additional documents needed by the sponsor, such as class schedule, grades, etc., are the student's responsibility and should be arranged beforehand |
| Event sponsorship | The only case where the University can accept a contribution to a VSO is when the VSO has completed an Event Sponsorship Agreement (ESA) |
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What You'll Learn

University of Michigan sponsorship requirements
The University of Michigan has two types of student organizations: registered (RSO) and sponsored (SSO). All student organizations must be registered and recognized by the Office of Student Life (OSL).
Requirements for Sponsored Student Organizations (SSOs)
SSOs are registered student organizations that have a substantial relationship with a sponsoring University department. The sponsoring unit must provide the organization with one or more of the following: operating budget/financial sponsorship, office space, logo use, and/or staff advisor. Being an SSO indicates that an office/department views the organization as tied so closely with the sponsor’s mission that the organization is essentially a part of the office.
To be considered an SSO, a formal agreement between the sponsoring department and student organization is required. This can include a Sponsored Student Organization Agreement, signed by an Executive Officer, Dean, or Director of a major programmatic or operational unit. The Sponsoring Unit must provide the organization with an advisor.
Requirements for Registered Student Organizations (RSOs)
RSOs are un-sponsored organizations recognized by the Office of Student Life. RSOs are formed by a minimum of five enrolled students who share a common purpose. They are classified into the following categories: Hobbies & recreation; Social Activism & Civic Engagement; Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion; Academic; Fraternity & Sorority; Professional & Honorary; Health & Wellness.
Additional Requirements for All Student Organizations
All student organizations must be re-registered annually and go through an annual constitution review. Student Organization Sponsorship Agreements must be completed annually as part of registration. Student organizations must also maintain an SOAS account or University account for all funds.
The University of Michigan has created a Student Organization Naming Policy to prevent an organization's name from creating a misleading affiliation with the university. This policy outlines restrictions on the use of "University of Michigan," UM, U-M, U of M, UMICH, or any other trademarked phrase at the beginning of their name, including on social media, email addresses, and URLs. However, organizations are permitted to use "at the University of Michigan" at the end of their name.
Financial Requirements
Starting in Fall 2022, the University of Michigan requires new students and sponsors to complete a Financial Agreement Form and authorization letter by August 15th of each year. The University will invoice sponsors during the term, and sponsors have 30 days upon receipt of the invoice to make payment. If the invoice remains unpaid after 60 days, the charges will be placed on the student account, and the student will be billed electronically in the next billing cycle. Students are legally responsible for paying the full cost of their educational expenses if their sponsor does not pay.
Third-party invoices are prepared on a separate schedule than student billing. A $25 processing fee will be included on the invoice. Any additional documents needed by the sponsor, such as class schedules or grades, are the student's responsibility and should be arranged beforehand. If the sponsor requires a grade or transcript review before payment, the University will not authorize third-party billing, and the student must pay the original bill and be reimbursed by the sponsor.
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Financial agreement forms
The University of Michigan offers sponsorship to student organizations, providing leadership, administrative, and financial literacy support. The process requires organizations to have a faculty advisor and be affiliated with the College of Engineering.
To obtain sponsorship, there are several financial agreement forms that need to be completed. Firstly, the Sponsored Student Organization Agreement must be signed by an Executive Officer, Dean, or Director of a major programmatic or operational unit. This agreement outlines the mission of the organization, which must align with the University's mission and the goals of the sponsoring unit. Additionally, the organization is required to maintain an SOAS or University account for all funds.
For new students and sponsors, the University also requires the completion of the Financial Agreement Forms, which must be signed and submitted by August 15th of each year. These forms are necessary for sponsors who wish to utilize the University's deferred third-party billing services for tuition and fees. Invoices are sent to sponsors during the term, with a $25 processing fee included. It is important to note that sponsors have 30 days to make the payment upon receiving the invoice.
If there are specific terms or situations where the sponsor should not be billed (such as waivers or additional aid), students can complete the Do Not Bill Form and send it to the University via email. This form is relevant if the sponsor requires grade or transcript review before making a payment. In such cases, the student must pay the original bill and then be reimbursed by the sponsor.
For event sponsorship, there is a separate agreement that must be completed with the OSA, outlining specific guidelines and the final budget. This process should be initiated at least three weeks before the event. It is important to note that sponsorship renewal is not guaranteed and is based on the quality of the submission and the individual organization's situation.
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Invoicing sponsors
To get sponsored by the University of Michigan as a student organization, you must be a Sponsored Student Organization (SSO). SSOs are student organizations that operate under the direct supervision of a sponsoring University unit. They must be sponsored by an executive officer, dean, or director of a major academic or operational unit. This unit must be committed to providing significant financial and staff support to the student organization and will provide an advisor for the SSO.
To be eligible for SSO status, you must meet the following criteria:
- Have missions that are consistent with the University's mission and the goals and objectives of the sponsoring unit.
- Maintain an SOAS account or University account for all funds.
- Have a Sponsored Student Organization Agreement signed by an Executive Officer, Dean, or Director of a major programmatic or operational unit.
- Establish and maintain a close relationship with the Sponsoring Unit.
Regarding invoicing, the University will invoice sponsors during the term but only after the drop and add period has passed. A $25 processing fee will be included on the invoice. Sponsors have 30 days to pay the invoice upon receipt. If the invoice remains unpaid 60 days after the invoice date, the charges will be placed on the student's account, and the student will be billed electronically in the next billing cycle. Students are legally responsible for paying the full cost of their educational expenses if their sponsor does not pay.
It is important to note that if the sponsor requires a grade or transcript review before payment, the University will not authorize third-party billing. In such cases, the student must pay the original bill and be reimbursed by the sponsor.
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Student organization naming policy
The University of Michigan has established a Student Organization Naming Policy to prevent student organizations from creating a misleading affiliation with the university. This policy outlines several restrictions on the names that Voluntary Student Organizations (VSOs) can adopt. Specifically, VSOs are prohibited from using "University of Michigan," "UM," "U-M," "U of M," "UMICH," or any other trademarked phrase at the beginning of their names. This restriction extends to all online platforms, including social media, email addresses, websites, blogs, and URLs. However, VSOs are permitted to use "at the University of Michigan" at the end of their names.
The naming policy also applies to the creation of logos and the use of university trademarks. Both VSOs and Sponsored Student Organizations (SSOs) have guidelines for proper brand usage. To change an organization's name, an authorized signer must complete an "Organization Name Change Form." The organization must also be registered under its existing name for the current academic year.
To obtain sponsorship for a student organization at the University of Michigan, there are several requirements that must be met. Firstly, the organization must have missions and goals that align with those of the university and the sponsoring unit. Secondly, the organization is required to maintain an SOAS account or a University account for all funds. Additionally, a Sponsored Student Organization Agreement must be signed by an Executive Officer, Dean, or Director of a major programmatic or operational unit. The sponsoring unit is responsible for providing an advisor to the student organization. It is important to note that certain types of organizations, such as religious, political, or partisan organizations, are not eligible for sponsored status due to the university's status as a governmental entity and a tax-exempt charitable organization.
Sponsorship by the university aims to foster a relationship between university units and student organizations, ultimately providing additional support to these groups. The university also offers various privileges to registered student organizations, including access to university facilities for meetings and activities, the opportunity to conduct approved fundraising projects on campus, and the use of an official mailing address.
To receive funds from a sponsor, it is essential to understand the requirements of the sponsor. The university will invoice sponsors during the term, and sponsors have 30 days to make the payment. If the invoice remains unpaid after 60 days, the charges will be transferred to the student's account. Students are legally responsible for covering their educational expenses if their sponsor fails to pay. Additionally, if the sponsor requires a grade or transcript review before payment, the student must pay the original bill and then seek reimbursement from the sponsor.
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Registered student organizations
The University of Michigan has two types of student organizations: Registered Student Organizations (RSO) and Sponsored Student Organizations (SSO).
- Hobbies & recreation
- Social Activism & Civic Engagement
- Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
- Academic
- Fraternity & Sorority
- Professional & Honorary
- Health & Wellness
RSOs can obtain funding from the Student Organization Advisory Council (SOAC), at SOAC’s discretion. They also have access to an organization-specific page in the Office of Student Life’s organization platform, VictorsLink. Additionally, they can access a University Agency account and shortcode for organization business and reserve university meeting/program spaces through University Unions & Events, free of cost.
Sponsored Student Organizations (SSO)
Sponsored Student Organizations are registered student organizations that have a substantial relationship with a sponsoring University department. The sponsoring unit must provide the organization with one or more of the following: operating budget/financial sponsorship, office space, logo use, and/or staff advisor. A formal agreement between the sponsoring department and student organization is required for this classification.
General Requirements for Student Organizations
All student organizations must be registered and recognized by the OSL. They must be re-registered annually and go through an annual constitution review. Student organizations must inform the OSL of their President, Treasurer, and Advisor during the registration process and report any changes throughout the year via the Change in Officer or Advisor form.
University Sponsorship
University sponsorship aims to create a relationship between University units and student organizations to further support these student groups. Sponsored Student Organizations (SSO) are required to have an advisor. Student Organization Sponsorship Agreements must be completed annually as part of registration. To be eligible for sponsorship, organizations must:
- Have missions that align with the University's mission and the goals and objectives of the sponsoring unit
- Maintain an SOAS account or University account for all funds
- Have a Sponsored Student Organization Agreement signed by an Executive Officer, Dean, or Director of a major programmatic or operational unit
- Establish and maintain a close relationship with the Sponsoring Unit
It is important to note that certain student organizations are not eligible for sponsored status, including religious and political or partisan organizations.
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Frequently asked questions
Sponsored Student Organizations are registered student organizations that have a substantial relationship with a sponsoring University department. The sponsoring unit must provide the organization with an operating budget/financial sponsorship, office space, logo use, and/or a staff advisor.
To be considered for sponsorship, your organization's mission should align with the University's mission and the goals and objectives of the sponsoring unit. You must also maintain an SOAS account or University account for all funds and have a Sponsored Student Organization Agreement signed by an Executive Officer, Dean, or Director of a major programmatic or operational unit.
As an SSO, you will have access to a University program account, simplifying financial sponsorships and larger fundraising efforts. You will also be able to use the University's name in your organization's name and have access to discounted rates at UU facilities.
Due to the University's status as a governmental entity and a tax-exempt charitable organization, religious, political, or partisan organizations are not eligible for sponsored status.
All student organizations must be registered and recognized by the Office of Student Life (OSL). You will need a minimum of five enrolled students who share a common purpose and a constitution that provides a framework for your organization to operate.











































