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Travel

If you have any questions please review the Travel FAQ or contact Geraldine Garner at 931-221-7373 or garnerg@apsu.edu.

This overview has been designed as a guide for any APSU employee or group designated to travel. Please be aware that policies and reimbursement rates are subject to change and will be updated in the Policies and Procedures Manual. Anyone needing further information should read the official Travel Policy 4:015.


 

Who Is Authorized to Travel?

Travel that may be authorized, and pursuant to which expense may be reimbursed, shall be limited to the following:

  1. Travel that is necessary for the proper execution of official APSU educational, research, or other institutional objectives;

  2. Travel to and from meetings and conferences of a professional nature, which will increase the attending employee’s usefulness to the University;

  3. Travel by prospective employees may be reimbursable based on the provisions of the APSU Travel Policy. Persons who incur travel expenses as a faculty recruit should request reimbursement based on this policy and in the amounts authorized in the referenced policies.

Reimbursement for travel expenses shall be allowed only for actual expenses incurred, subject to the maximum limitations shown on the Travel Reimbursement Rate Schedule. Original receipts must accompany claims for reimbursement for all expenses cited on the Travel Reimbursement Rate Schedule. The exceptions to this rule are for meals, taxi fares, tolls and ferry fees with no receipt required. Lodging receipts are required and must itemize room charges and taxes.


 
Permission to Travel

Verbal permission is sufficient only if your destination is within Tennessee, and advance payment is not requested and travel is not funded by a grant. An Authorization of Travel (TA) is required if a travel advance is requested for any portion of travel (whether in state or out of state), travel will be funded by a grant, or the travel destination is out of state.  The TA must be on file in the Business Office two weeks prior to planned departure. 


 
Approval

Approval for your travel and travel reimbursement must be obtained as follows:


 
Travel Advances

Normally, travel expenses should be paid when incurred by an employee, with reimbursement made to the employee for actual expenses upon proper submission of a claim for travel expenses. Advances to employees for anticipated travel may be under the circumstances listed below:

  1. Permanent Travel Advance - See travel policy for detailed explanation.
  2. Temporary Travel Advance - When temporary travel is authorized the employee may receive an advance, provided a request for the advance, including estimated expenses, is submitted to the appropriate approving authority and is approved. An amount equal to 80 percent of the estimated expenditures will be allowed as an advance. However, no advance less than $100 will be made. Students traveling under individual authorizations or an employee traveling with a student or students who is responsible for disbursing all funds for the trip may be advanced 100 percent of the amount of the authorization.


 
Corporate Cards

Corporate cards are made available to designated employees, with the employees personally responsible to the company issuing the card for all amounts charged to the corporate card. Applications for these cards are available in Human Resources.


 
Transportation

All travel must be by the most direct or expeditious route possible, and any employee who travels by an indirect route must bear any extra expense occasioned thereby.


 
Lodging

In-state and out-of-state lodging expenses incurred while on authorized travel will be reimbursable to the maximum shown on the Travel Reimbursement Rate Schedule. Sales taxes on lodging costs will be reimbursable. Higher rates for lodging at the location of a convention or conference will be allowed, without special approval, up to the amount indicated in the convention or conference brochure.  The convention or conference brochure that indicates the lodging rates must be included with the travel claim.


 
Meals and Incidentals

Meals while on authorized travel will be reimbursed, subject to the meal allowance provided on the Travel Reimbursement Rate Schedule. The maximum per diem rates include a fixed allowance for meals and incidental expenses (M&I). The M&I rate, or fraction thereof, is payable to the traveler without itemization of expenses or receipts. Incidentals are intended to include miscellaneous costs associated with travel such as tips for baggage handling, phone calls home, etc.


 
Miscellaneous Expenses


 
Claims

The standard form for Travel Expense Claims shall be used for reimbursement of expenses. The form must show detail of expenses on a daily basis, be typed or completed in ink, signed by the employee and be approved by the appropriate approving authority prior to reimbursement. Signatures on travel claims must be original. Original receipts for appropriate expenses must be attached to the form. Claims for travel expense reimbursement should be submitted no later than 30 days after completion of the trip. Claims submitted after this period must include written explanation for the delay.


 
Travel Reimbursement Rate Schedule

The maximum reimbursement rates for in-state and out-of-state travel are the same as those maintained by the US General Services Administration for federal employees within the continental United States (CONUS).

Lodging, Meals and Incidentals:

The CONUS list contains a standard reimbursement rate for lodging, meals and incidentals and several pages of exceptions. Most destinations for out-of-state travel fall within the list of exceptions. The CONUS list is available on the General Services Administration web site: http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/21287


 
General Reimbursement Rates:

Standard Mileage Rate            IRS Business Standard mileage rate
Courtesy Vehicles                      $0.325/mile
Maximum Parking Fee without Receipt            $8.00/day
Fees for handling equip/prm material                  $20.00/hotel 

 

Reimbursement of meals will not be permitted unless overnight travel is involved.

International Travel - Expense Calculator
The Travel Expenses Calculator helps you claim your expenses by using the historical exchange rates in effect on the date of your receipts, and integrates hidden foreign exchange charges.


 

Travel Forms 

Authorization of Travel (PDF)

Travel Expense Claims (Excel)