Post-Award: Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I access the Concur Online Travel & Expense system?
Employees need to complete one of three forms of training in order to gain access to the system. Please click here to see a list of scheduled Concur training sessions or to view the online tutorial, which is followed by a quiz.
2. Who processes EPAFs for grant-related compensation?
The college or school budget manager typically processes all EPAFs related to grant compensation. The Office of Contracts and Grants works with the budget manager to ensure that EPAFs are coded and processed correctly. In some areas, the program assistant can process EPAFs. Please check with your budget manager to find out who processes EPAFs in your area.
3. How do I process expense reimbursements?
Reimbursements for USF employees are processed via the Concur Travel and Expense online system.
Reimbursements for non-employees are processed via the Concur Online Invoicing system, which can be accessed through the Concur Travel & Expense system. Access to the Concur Online Invoicing system is limited. Please check with your department's budget manager to find out who has access in your area and can assist you with this process.
If you have login or FOAP access issues, need assistance with navigating through the system, and/or need help with reconciling your expenses, please contact Morgan Maich in Purchasing Card Services at x5977.
4. How does the expense reimbursement process work?
Expenses that are submitted through Concur have to be approved by the department budget manager (this responsibility may be delegated to someone else but you need to check with your budget manager first). Grant-related expenses are forwarded to OCG for final approval. After OCG approves your expenses, it can take up to 48 hours for the Office of Accounting and Business Services to process your reimbursement. Please allow 5-7 business days after your expenses have been approved and fully processed to get your reimbursement.
5. What are some examples of expenses that require additional approval per USF Policy?
- Airfare over $750 requires Vice Provost/Dean approval
- Hotel nightly rates that exceed $200 require Vice Provost/Dean approval
- Expense reports over $5,000 can now be approved by OCG
- A Missing Receipt Form or the OCG Per Diem Affidavit Form is required if you are claiming per diem and not submitting receipts. On the form, you should state whether per diem was used to purchase alcohol. The form must be signed by the PI and the appropriate Dean.
6. Who should I contact if it has been more than 7 business days and I have not received my reimbursement?
Please contact the Disbursements/Accounts Payable Department in the Office of Accounting and Business Services at x6371.
7. How can I request a cash advance for my field-based research project?
A cash advance may only be applied towards grant -related expenses if the following criteria is met:
- There must be more than 90 days left in the duration of the grant
- The advance must be for international travel or field research costs in another country
Pre-approval from OCG and the Concur Disbursement Services Analyst is required for all advances before the funds are requested. The cash advance may be used only for allowable grant expenditures.
Any remaining non-allowable expenses will be allocated to the PI's faculty development fund or the pre-approved departmental FOAP.
To use the departmental FOAP, the PI should discuss his or her request with the appropriate business manager to confirm that the there are available funds for the advance.
All unused funds must be reimbursed to the University in the form of a check.
The advance should be reconciled in an expense report within thirty days of the PI's return from his or her trip.
Please contact the Office of Contracts and Grants at grants@usfca.edu
8. Where can I find general University travel and entertainment policies?
Faculty who travel using grant funds should keep all receipts of their expenses.
9. Where can I find general purchasing card policies?
10. Can I purchase a laptop or a computer?
If allowable by the grant, computers or laptops may be purchased through the Office of Information Technology Services. Grantees must comply with ITS Technology Assessment Management Policy and other IT policies.
Technology Acquisition Life Cycle Management Policy
Computer Refresh High-Level Process
11. When does USF's fiscal year begin and end?
USF’s fiscal year begins on June 1 and ends the following year on May 31.
Grant and contract performance periods do not have to align with USF’s fiscal year.
12. If I placed an order via purchase order, who can I contact to find out about the status of my order?
Please contact Purchasing and Ancillary Services at x2637.
13. Who should I contact about my gift account or expenses related to my gift account?
Please contact Elizabeth Denefeld in the Office of Accounting and Business Services at x2569.
14. What if I have a post-award question not answered here?
Please contact the Office of Contracts and Grants at grants@usfca.edu.