Travel Funding

Considering an off-campus journey for your student organization? Travel funding is available for journeys that provide an experience furthering the student organization’s mission. Below are common travel ideas; funding is not restricted to these items.

Food and travel outside of the U.S. and territories, Canada and Mexico is not eligible for funding.

  1. Meet with your CSI Liaison regarding the details of your travel.
  2. Collect prices for registration, lodging, transportation and meal costs.
  3. Complete a funding request in BuffConnect.
  4. Await review by CSI Liaison, adjust for any recommended changes.
  5. Attend funding hearing at scheduled time and date.
  6. Once funds are allocated, stop by CSI for your pre-spending meeting.
  7. Book travel, including registration, lodging and transportation.
  8. Participate in the travel experience.
  9. Once returned, submit any receipts to CSI for reimbursement.

What can be funded

Airfare

Flights may ONLY be purchased by CSI Finance through Christopherson Business Travel, which purchases airfare directly from airlines. Each travel itinerary is charged a $20 service fee by the travel agency for the booking service.

When budgeting for airfare, remember that rates frequently change. It is recommended that student organizations research the best time to purchase airfare, shop around for different rates and consider the average approval timeline for budgets (approximately 30 days) when building a budget.

Bus

Charter bus rates are posted on the CU Parking and Transportation website. Student organizations may also research outside charter companies for transportation. Bus purchases can be made through CSI Finance or a student organization may seek reimbursement after travel has concluded.

Car rental

CSI Finance may pay for a rental car on behalf of a student organization. The university has discounted rates with rental car companies that include insurance coverage. Fuel purchased for a rental car is reimbursable with documentation of a rental car and receipts for the fuel.

International travel

Funding is only available for travel to United States, U.S territories, Canada and Mexico. Student organizations may fundraise for travel that they do not receive funding for. Be sure to register your international travel with CU Education Abroad prior to your trip!

Lodging

Lodging may be purchased by CSI Finance or reimbursed after the travel has concluded. CSI Finance can also purchase rooms in local hotels for performing guests traveling to Boulder for events. Contact CSI Finance for a list of hotels with current rates.

Personal vehicle

Student organizations may use their personal vehicles for funded travel events and be reimbursed for mileage; fuel purchases are not reimbursable. Proof of insurance for each vehicle must be submitted to CSI Finance. Contact CSI Finance for the current mileage rate.

Reimbursements

Student organizations may purchase their own travel arrangements (with the exception of flights/airfare) and seek reimbursement. Purchases must be made after a budget is fully approved by all funding sources and the Legislative Council President (if applicable). Purchases made prior to the budget being approved will not be reimbursed.

Reimbursements are processed by university check after travel has concluded and take approximately 7 to 15 business days to be mailed.

Reimbursements to international citizens may have tax implications. It is important to speak with CSI Finance prior to making any purchases. 

Summer travel

Student organizations wishing to travel in the months of June, July and August must meet with a CSI Liaison to discuss travel plans as early as March or April. Due to funding board recesses and budgetary restrictions, funding is limited for summer travel.

Travelers

All travelers whose travel accommodations are purchased using a university-funded budget must be full, fee-paying students at the time of travel; this includes summer travel.