Professional Development Reimbursement for Yale Juniors & Seniors

In an effort to support students pursuing careers in the nonprofit, government and the arts sectors, those interviewing for national fellowships, and those planning to attend graduate or professional school, OCS offers a reimbursement program for Yale College Seniors and Juniors to help offset costs associated with career related engagements and travel for interviews/auditions. See section below on “What can I get reimbursed for?” Each junior/senior can submit reimbursement requests for a total maximum reimbursement of $400 and minimum of $25. Funds are limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. This program can also be used to reimburse travel to an OCS coordinated Consortium Career Fair when other transportation is not provided. 

Who is eligible to get reimbursed?

  • Yale College Seniors: Eligible for reimbursement until November 1st after their graduation.
  • Yale College Juniors: Eligible for reimbursement starting the first day of classes of their junior year. Payments made prior to the first day of their junior year are not eligible.

How do I get reimbursed?

Go to the Reimbursement Request Form and Complete All Sections

The Form will ask you for the following: 

  • Proof of Interview or Other Career Related Engagement  (i.e. itinerary, confirmation email of interview or subscription or registration)
  • All Receipts associated with the expense must show method of payment (if paid by credit card the last four digits of the card must appear)
  • A copy of the bank/credit card statement header for each card used to make this purchase(s). The statement header(s) must contain the name of the financial institution, your name, and the last four digits of the card used to verify proof of ownership of the account. (a screenshot of your credit/debit card is unacceptable).

What can you get reimbursed for? Other Career Related Engagements (see examples below) and travel for interviews/auditions. Summer internship related activities do not quality.

Travel Guidelines:

  • Air travel and ground transportation (i.e. subway, bus, shuttle, taxi fares). Note: Credit Card point and rewards are not reimbursable.
  • If a car is rented: rental paid receipt, gas receipt, parking fees and tolls.
  • If using personal vehicle: mileage, parking fees and tolls.
  • Other incidental travel expenses including accommodations
    **Food purchases are not eligible for reimbursement

Examples of Other Career Related Engagements
Costs related to qualifying ‘career-related engagements’ that support students pursuing careers in the nonprofit, government and arts sectors or graduate and professional school (see examples below). Please note these are examples and not an exhaustive list. If you are unsure whether your other career related engagement will qualify, email ocs.reimbursementfund@yale.edu in advance of purchasing.

Limited software/equipment purchase for furthering established professional pursuit – All Software/Equipment requests require documentation of the following:

  • Established previous, pre-professional interest in the industry for which the student is seeking support
  • Justification of relevance of resource for improvement of engagement within the target industry
  • Demonstrated due diligence from the student in researching the quality and applicability of the equipment being purchased

Registration fee for professional conferences. Examples:

Registration fees for exam preparation exams for graduate and professional schools. Examples:

Membership fee for professional associations, alliances, and affiliations. Examples:

Subscription fee for industry jobs boards or services. Examples:

What constitutes an acceptable receipt?

  • Air and Ground Transportation: the receipt must show traveler’s name, complete dates of travel, ticket number, transportation provider and total cost. The receipt must indicate that payment was made in full or $0 balance. Passenger/boarding passes usually have this information printed on them.
  • Car Rental: an itemized rental receipt provided by the rental company.
  • Parking, Toll and Gas: the receipt must show name of establishment, date and time, city, state and cost.
  • Confirmation of Registration, Membership, or Subscription: a receipt that shows your full name, the full name of the organization or conference or subscription service, and confirmation of payment.

When should I expect my reimbursement?

  • All reimbursements will be processed on a rolling basis. You will receive your funds within 30 business days of submission via check unless you are set up to receive Zelle payments. If any additional information is required, you will be contacted directly by someone from our office and this will delay processing.
  • Business Days are Monday – Friday 8:30a – 5:00p, excluding observed holidays and recess days.
  • You will receive notification once your request has been processed. Please do not submit duplicate requests.
  • For questions or further assistance, email ocs.reimbursementfund@yale.edu.

This program has been supported by a number of generous donors, including Spark Investment Management, Marmol Radziner, Flow Traders, and The Yale Club of New York City.