Stipulations for Visitas Financial Aid?

[go4cornell]

Hello everyone. This is mainly for current/past students and parents. Harvard has said that if you qualify for financial aid for Visitas but you’ve already made your travel arrangements they may reimburse you if your arrangements fall within certain parameters (such as dates, cost, etc.). Seeing as though they haven’t decided on what those will be this year, I wanted to get an idea of what they were like in the previous years so that I can make my bookings around that. So can anyone give me an idea of what these guidelines were (for example, flights must be within the time period of 1 day before visitas to 1 day after, etc.)? Thanks in advance.

[gibby]

In past years, this is what Harvard has posted for Vistas travel: http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~faoinit/AVPFAQ.pdf.

If you haven’t purchased your ticket yet, I would do so through the Egencia travel agency.

If you have purchased your ticket, I would follow the directions and email faoweb@fas.harvard.edu with “REIMB PLEASE” in the subject line and see what they say.

What should I do if my ticket is more expensive than the lowest available coach fare?
Please choose the lowest available (coach) fare whenever possible. If choosing an itinerary with a low fare will require a hardship (inconvenient departure or arrival times, extended airport layovers, etc.) you are encouraged to use your best judgment in selecting your flights. If we are unable to approve your choice, we will contact you to discuss options prior to approval.

What if, prior to receiving Harvard’s offer, I have already finalized my flight arrangements, or I am arriving by car or bus, can I submit reasonable receipts for reimbursement?
Yes. If you plan to submit expenses in excess of $75, Email faoweb@fas.harvard.edu with “REIMB PLEASE” in the subject line and your name and a brief description of your travel plans in the message body. A “non- standard” reimbursement form and related instructions will be included in your registration packet, available for you when you first check in at the Admissions Visitor Center in Agassiz House. If your travel expenses are properly submitted and approved, a check will be mailed to you. Please be sure to read the full FAQ regarding reimbursement.