FY 2027 Budget Request Instructions - Instructions for Completing the Budget Request Process

Sep 12, 2026

FY 2027 Budget Request Instructions guide UNTD departments through the budget request cycle, emphasizing zero-based budgeting for designated operating, auxiliary, and fee budgets. The document explains how to justify and document all requested amounts, required submission workflows, and limits tied to FY 2026 approved budgets and estimated revenues. It details KTLO submissions via Axiom for Fund 830001, Excel template steps for auxiliary and fee funds, and separate procedures for personnel and Strategic Initiative Funding (SIF) requests.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time2 min

AccessFree to download

FY 2027 Budget Calendar

Budget Instructions

Budgeting Guidelines

Documentation Requirements

Designated Operating (Fund 830001)

Auxiliary and Fee Funds

Personnel

Budget Request Types

KTLO – Keep the Lights On

SIF – Strategic Initiative Funding

HEF – Higher Education Fund

FISCAL YEAR 2027 Budget Request Instructions UNTD Office of Budget & Planning Table of Contents I. FY 2027 Budget Calendar ..................................................................................................................................... 2 II. Budget Instructions ............................................................................................................................................. 3 III. Budget Request Types ........................................................................................................................................ 4 III. Budget Presentation Details & Schedules .......................................................................................................... 5 I. FY 2027 BUDGET CALENDAR II. BUDGET INSTRUCTIONS Welcome to the FY 2027 budget cycle. This document provides guidance to support departments in completing the budget request process. Please review the instructions carefully to ensure all requirements are met. Budgeting Guidelines: A zero-based budgeting approach will be used for Designated Operating, Auxiliary, and Fee budgets for FY 2027. Under this approach, each department will begin with a base operating budget of zero dollars. Budget requests should include recurring and necessary expenditures only. Please review the supplemental information sheet, which includes details on D-Account expenses, the departmental contact list identifying individuals responsible for submitting requests, technology cost estimates, and the Student Wages Calculation Guide. All requested amounts must include supporting comments or documentation. Requests submitted without comments or supporting documentation will be returned by the Budget Office. Departments will be required to present their zero-based budgets to their Division Vice President; therefore, clear justification is required for all requests. Designated Operating (Fund 830001): Departments with Designated Operating – Fund 830001 must submit a Keep the Lights On (KTLO) budget request through Axiom. Axiom is a budget system that allows departments to review financial activity, including prior year and current year actuals along with the current year budget, and to submit budget requests. The training guide document on Axiom may be accessed here. Departments are encouraged to review their financial activity in Axiom prior to submission. Total budget requests may not exceed the FY 2026 approved budget. Requests exceeding this amount will be returned for adjustment. Departments requiring funding beyond this limit must submit a Strategic Initiative Funding (SIF) request to their Division Vice President (see page 4 for additional information) . Auxiliary and Fee Funds: Departments with Auxiliary and Fee funds must complete the Excel budget template provided by the Budget Office. The template includes historical financial activity and a section to enter requested FY 2027 amounts, make certain to enter comments on each line item. Requests may not exceed the estimated revenue amounts provided in the template. Departments requiring additional funding must submit a Strategic Initiative Funding (SIF) request to their Division Vice President (seepage 4 for additional information) . Personnel: Budgets for existing salaried positions (full-time/ part-time faculty and staff) will be automatically included in the FY 2027 base budget. Budget requests should not be submitted for existing positions. Requests for new positions, reclassifications, or salary increases must be submitted using the Personnel Request Form, available on the Budget Office website. Personnel requests submitted outside of this established budget cycle are not expected to be approved, as budget allocations will be finalized and unplanned increases may negatively impact financial results. III. BUDGET REQUEST TYPES Budget requests require users to select one of the established Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) . T

FAQs

What budgeting approach will be used for FY 2027 requests, and what must departments include?

A zero-based budgeting approach will be used for designated operating, auxiliary, and fee budgets. Departments should include only recurring and necessary expenditures and provide supporting comments or documentation for all requested amounts.

How do departments submit KTLO budget requests for Fund 830001?

Departments with designated operating – Fund 830001 must submit a Keep the Lights On (KTLO) request through Axiom. They should review financial activity in Axiom beforehand, and KTLO requests must reflect recurring items and ongoing expenses needed for day-to-day operations.

When are Strategic Initiative Funding (SIF) requests required, and what is the submission deadline mentioned?

SIF requests are required for new initiatives that align with the University’s strategic goals, including one-time expenditures and items beyond KTLO needs. Completed SIF forms must be submitted to the appropriate Division Vice President by February 28.

Sep 12, 2026

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