Payments to Students Guide

Payments to Students:  Determining Payment Type

As part of the travel, did the student formally represent the university?

Determing Whether the Student Formally Represented CSUSM 

Payments to students to cover travel will either be considered financial aid or a travel reimbursement.  The primary factor in determining whether the payment is Financial Aid or a reimbursement is the purpose of the travel. 

Only travel where the student is formally representing CSUSM while presenting, serving, or participating can be considered a travel reimbursement (e.g. poster sessions, academic or athletic competitions, presentations).

Institutional funds paid to a student when a student is traveling for their own academic or personal benefit (and not formally representing CSUSM) would be considered a Financial Aid payment and processed through the Office of Financial Aid.