Harvard student groups face funding delays: Undergraduate Association revises payout system
At least 20 percent of student organisations at Harvard experienced delays in receiving funding from the Harvard Undergraduate Association (HUA) last semester, according to a report published by The Harvard Crimson. The issue, which affected clubs across campus, has led the association to revise its payout system ahead of the spring semester in an effort to prevent further disruptions.As reported by The Crimson, HUA co-treasurer Daniel Zhao ’28 acknowledged that delays in disbursing funds have been a recurring problem across multiple administrations. While student groups were told to expect funding by October, several organisations said they waited weeks — and in some cases, months — beyond that timeline.For many clubs, the delay created operational challenges. Student leaders told The Crimson that programming had to be postponed, scaled down, or temporarily funded by members themselves. In organisations that rely heavily on HUA allocations to organise events, competitions, and community activities, the late payments disrupted planning and strained student finances.
Venmo and Zelle removed from payout options
For several years, student organisations applying for HUA funding were able to select from three disbursement options: Venmo, Zelle, or a wire transfer through the Harvard Federal Credit Union (FCU). However, beginning this spring, the HUA has eliminated Venmo and Zelle as payment methods.According to The Crimson, Zhao said data collected by the Finance Team showed that delays were concentrated among organisations that opted to receive funds via Venmo or Zelle. In response, the HUA decided to standardise payments through Harvard FCU wire transfers in an effort to streamline processing and reduce technical bottlenecks.“Throughout many of the administrations, there’s always been a funding delay for certain members of clubs,” Zhao told The Crimson. He added that shifting to a centralised banking system is expected to substantially reduce technical difficulties.To facilitate the transition, the HUA conducted extended office hours during winter break to assist student leaders in setting up FCU bank accounts. Applications for spring semester funding opened on January 29 and will close on February 8.
Clubs describe financial strain and uncertainty
Despite the planned changes, some organisations are still waiting on fall funding.Mia F. I. Lupica ’26, president of the Harvard Forensic Speech team, told The Crimson that her club — which was set to receive $1,600 in the fall — has yet to receive the allocation. She said that while funding delays are not unusual, the lack of a clear and predictable timeline makes financial planning difficult.Similarly, Tanvir A. Haque ’28, co-president of the Bengali Association of Students at Harvard, said his organisation received its wire transfer about a month and a half after submitting the application. During that period, members paid expenses out of pocket to ensure events could proceed.“It was kind of hard, just because we didn’t have the funds in our bank account for a while,” Haque told The Crimson, adding that other organisations appeared to face even longer delays.Chase M. Bourbon ’27, co-president of the Harvard Psychedelics Club, also reported a delayed wire transfer but described the HUA’s follow-up communication as responsive. He told The Crimson that HUA representatives reached out directly to confirm that outstanding issues had been resolved.While some club leaders appreciated the improved communication, others remain skeptical that the structural changes alone will fully address the problem. Lupica told The Crimson that funding timelines have historically been unclear, calling the issue “not necessarily a new” one.As the spring funding cycle begins, the effectiveness of the centralised FCU system will likely determine whether the HUA can restore confidence among student organisations that depend on timely financial support to operate.
