Help and FAQs
Below is a list of frequently-asked questions that have been put together to answer a question you may have. If you have a question that is not listed, do not hesitate to send an email to a SPAR member.
This list will be updated frequently, so check back often!
To quickly view a question's answer, click on the question and you will be directly
taken to the answer.
1. Where can I find more information about SPAR?
2. How can I contact SPAR?
3. When trying to login, I am getting an invalid username/password error.
4. How do I retrieve a form?
5. Why do I get an error when I am trying to submit a form such as the intent to apply form?
6. This Web site is best viewed in a screen resolution of 1024x768, how do I change my screen?
7. Is it always necessary to logout before leaving the Web site?
8. Do I need to be logged in to apply for a grant?
9. How do I apply for a grant?
10. Budget Help?
FAQ Answers
1. Where can I find more information about SPAR? Back to Top
To learn more about SPAR, you can click here or click the About Us link to the left.
2. How can I contact SPAR? Back to Top
To contact SPAR, you can click here or click the Contact Link in the top left-hand corner of your screen to view contact information for several SPAR staff members.
3. When trying to login, I get an invalid username/password error. Back to Top
If this error is displayed, it could be for several reasons:
Logging in to SPAR requires a MySCSU username and password. If you do not have a MySCSU account you will not be able to log into SPAR.
You also may not be typing in your username/password correctly. If there is one character missing or a space when there should not be, you will not be able to log in.
If you have a MySCSU account and have entered the correct username and password and the problem persists, please contact SPAR.
4. How do I retrieve a form? Back to Top
To find a form, you must first click the Forms link to the left which will bring you to a new page. From there, the forms will all be listed in a drop-down menu. Click the drop-down list and select the form you want to view and then click the "Retrieve Form" button.
5. Why do I get an error when I am trying to submit a form such as the intent to apply form? Back to Top
If you are receiving an error message saying that a form cannot be submitted, it is because you are not filling in all of the required fields. Required fields are marked by an asterisk, so be sure all of these fields are filled in.
6. I read that this Web site is best viewed at a screen resolution of 1024x768, how do I change my screen resolution? Back to Top
For Microsoft Windows users: Right-click the desktop and select properties. From there, select the Settings tab and select your desired resolution.
7. Is it always necessary to logout before leaving the Website? Back to Top
We want to make SPAR's Website as secure as possible, including the information we have from you. Logging out helps us keep your information safe from improper penetration.
8. Do I need to be logged in to apply for a grant? Back to Top
Yes, if you are not logged in you will not be able to apply for a grant or view budget worksheets. There are still many others links that can be viewed if you are not logged in, such as this page, the Contact Us page, About Us page, and Forms page.
9. How do I apply for a grant? Back to Top
In order to apply for a grant, you must first be logged in. Next, click the "Apply for Grant" link on the left navigation and the "apply for grant" form will be shown on your screen. Just fill in the required fields and click the "submit" button.
10. Budget Help? Back to Top
Direct costs are those which can be identified specifically with a particular sponsored project and which can be directly assigned to such activities, relatively easily and with a high degree of accuracy. For example, the supplies needed for a research project are easy to identify; however, costs such as heating and air conditioning rooms and labs used by the project staff are not. The latter are indirect, defined as those that are incurred for common or joint objectives, and which cannot be identified readily and specifically with a particular sponsored project. (The federal government has recently changed the terminology used to refer to indirect costs. They are now called Facilities and Administrative, or F&A, costs.)
Federal regulations provide principles for determining which costs are applicable to agreements with the government. They also identify which of those costs may be charged as direct and which must be charged as Facilities and Administrative Costs. Furthermore, the rules state that the distinction between direct and Facilities and Administrative Costs must be maintained consistently throughout the university regardless of the source of funding.
