Travel

Travel reimbursement process

Travel reimbursement instructions for both visiting guests who have been offered reimbursement for some portion of travel costs, as well as, MSE-WE students and employees seeking travel reimbursement.

Travel reimbursement involves a two-step process, submission and approval of estimated travel costs before travel and a second form detailing actual costs following travel.

Our department follows the OSU Travel Policy (PDF). On the whole, this policy seeks to reimburse the "lowest reasonable" travel expenses incurred by our guests. Thus the reimbursement amount will match the most cost effective method of travel (airfare, rental car, personal auto). The total reimbursement allowed may be limited, so please confirm this limit with the department contact or supervisor prior to paying any travel costs. As a general rule, meal costs are not reimbursed, though per diem rates may be available for OSU students/employees per supervisor approval.

Step 1, before your travel

Pre-trip--prior to your travel to OSU. All travel must be pre-approved to qualify for reimbursement. This is accomplished with the Pre-Trip worksheet. An OSU employee must have written approval from his/her supervisor prior to travel.

  • Pre-Trip worksheet (PDF)
    Please submit this form to the MSE-WE contact or supervisor at least two weeks prior to traveling to OSU.
    Failure to submit this form before traveling will require submission of an exception petition form after travel (see below).
  • Rental car--OSU discount code and procedure (requires OSU log-in to access)
    If renting a car as part of travel to or from the MSE department, department policy requires that this be done by way of the OSU rental car agreement with either Enterprise or National. While less expensive rentals may be available, the OSU agreements include insurance coverage required by the university. The codes necessary to activate the OSU agreement may be obtained by contacting Mark Cooper or the MSE Business Manager.
    Rentals made with non-contracted rental car agencies must adhere to the OSU Travel Policy (PDF) (see "Rental Car Services"). Those rentals made that do not meet the policy may not be reimbursed.

Step 2, following your return

Post-trip instructions--The post-trip process is used to detail the actual expenses incurred which are eligible for reimbursement. Within 30 days of travel email the Post-Trip worksheet and scans of receipts to your MSE-WE department contact. Please keep all orginial receipts until reimbursement has been received; it may be necessary to provide hard-copy original receipts and/or re-scan a receipt.
[jump to instructions for completing the forms]

  • Post-Trip worksheet (PDF)

    Use this form to detail the amounts to be reimbursed and the business purpose for each amount.
    - The address listed on this form is that to which the reimbursement check will be sent.
    - This form may be sent via email to your department contact.

  • Attach scans of original receipts.
     

  • Non-US Citizens:
    Along with the Post-Trip form, non-US citizens must also submit the items below. These may be scanned and submitted by email except the W9 form which must be mailed as a hard-copy to the department.
    [jump to instructions for completing the forms]

  • Current US visa page from your passport

  • Bio page from your passport

  • I-94 form

  • I-20 (if on F-1 visa) or DS-2019 (if on J-1 visa)
    If holding a B-2 or WT visa, please complete a Compliance Form for Payments to B or W Visa Holders (PDF)
     

  • W9 form--Since the form requires an SSN, OSU requests that the W9 form be mailed as a hard-copy to the department mailing address, ATTN: Mark Cooper.

Following receipt of these items, the forms and receipts will be reviewed and, if all needed items are provided, the reimbursement request will be forwarded to the College of Engineering Business Office. A staff member from that office will contact the traveler by email and confirm the allowed reimbursement amount. Once confirmation is received by the Business Office, reimbursement will be mailed to the guest. The approximate time frame for this process following receipt of all needed items is two to four weeks.

Questions about reimbursement should be directed to the MSE-WE department contact for follow up.

Travel tips

Helpful guidelines to speed the pre-travel and reimbursement process for department students, staff, and faculty.

  • Itemized receipts may be required, so it is important to keep all receipts during travel.
  • Submit original, legible receipts for any requested reimbursement amounts.
  • Receipts must indicate method of payment, such as "Visa XXXX1234" and the amount paid.
  • A brief business purpose is to be provided for each reimbursed expense. For example, request for parking reimbursement should state why parking was necessary ("parking at conference location" etc.).
  • Car rental is to be reserved by means of the OSU contract with Enterprise or National (see below).
  • Pre-payment of some costs--such as airfare, conference registration, and lodging--may be available for OSU students and employees, including cash advances. Please contact the MSE Business Manager for details.
  • Per Diem If the OSU student or employee is alloted a daily reimbursement amount for meals, travelers are to provide detailed costs for each meal to be reimbursed. The cost of meals provided as part of travel or a business-related event (for example during a flight or as part of a conference) will not be allowed as part of a per diem reimbursement.
  • OSU students and employees: it is helpful to provide on the Pre-Trip form the account number to which the costs will be billed. This number is provided by the supervisor.

University Travel

University Travel Office
The Travel Office is responsible for oversees the eTravel system. Provides mileage & per diem rates, Pre- and Post-Trip Worksheets, policies, contacts, and more.

  • OSU eTravel System

  • Our department follows the OSU Travel Policy (PDF)

  • Rental car--OSU discount code and procedure (requires OSU log-in to access)
    If renting a car as part of a visit to the MSE department, department policy requires that this be done by way of the OSU rental car agreement with either Enterprise or National. While less expensive rentals may be available, the OSU agreements include insurance coverage required by the university. The codes necessary to activate the OSU agreement may be obtained by contacting Mark Cooper or the MSE Business Manager.
    Rentals made with non-contracted rental car agencies must adhere to the OSU Travel Policy (PDF) (see "Rental Car Services"). Those rentals made that do not meet the policy may not be reimbursed.

OSU Research Foundation (OSURF)

OSURF Travel
Travel plays an important role in many research projects. This resource provides helpful guidance to faculty and staff on the best (and easiest) way to plan travel and to be reimbursed for associated costs.

CoE Travel Policy

Completing the post-trip forms

Questions? Please contact Mark Cooper should you have any questions.

International guests must supply copies of visa information, see details below.
 

Post-trip worksheet

Instructions for key sections of the form...

Traveler Information

  • Please provide the address to which the reimbursement check should be sent, along with your e-mail address.
  • The affiliation of guests is "Non-University".

Business Purpose

  • The reason you are visiting Ohio State.

Actual Travel Dates & Locations

  • The "Departure City/State/Country" will be the city from which your reimbursable travel begins, along with the date and time you left (estimated times are fine). Your "Destination 1" is Columbus, OH. The "Return Date and Time" would be the approximate time that you leave Columbus to return to the departure site.

Expense Detail

  • Airfare: list cost.
  • Other: list taxi fares here; we do not reimburse car rentals unless previously approved.
  • Personal Vehicle: we do not reimburse mileage for visits unless previously approved. We will reimburse fuel costs with receipts. These should be itemized in the "Other" fields.
  • Meals: we do not reimburse meal costs unless previously approved.
  • Lodging: we will provide reimbursement funds only toward the cost of the room. Any additional charges to the room are the guest's responsibility.

International guests:

Along with these OSU forms, you must also submit the following documents:

These may be scanned and submitted by email

The W9 form must be mailed as a hard copy to the address below

  • W9 form
  • Mail to:
    Mark Cooper
    Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering:
140 W. 19th Avenue
Suite 2136
Columbus, OH 43210

Forms