Site Visit Funding

[CSMajor]

How long does it take to receive it? Is it direct deposited into our accounts or does our facility handle those arrangements? How much are we given?

[kbl2017]

$2000, hopefully, it's just given to us. But I am unsure what the sites do so I booked a hotel with free cancellation up until the day before.

I hope they send it soon, my flights are increasing daily.

[CSMajor]

$2000, hopefully, it's just given to us. But I am unsure what the sites do so I booked a hotel with free cancellation up until the day before.

I hope they send it soon, my flights are increasing daily.

I wonder if anyone has contacted SMART about that? My visit is booked for early June and don't want to have to reschedule

[Guest]

$2000, hopefully, it's just given to us. But I am unsure what the sites do so I booked a hotel with free cancellation up until the day before.

I hope they send it soon, my flights are increasing daily.

I wonder if anyone has contacted SMART about that? My visit is booked for early June and don't want to have to reschedule

Funny you should mention that as I have recently contacted them but they have not responded yet so I will try to help relay the message when I get it

[littlehope]

I just wrote a fairly comprehensive email asking about the site visit and other topics, to which the following is an excerpt addressing the allotment:

My second question on this topic pertains to the statement "Recruitment SSPPs whose summer address is 50 miles or more from the SF location are eligible for site visit allotment" and also on the Recruitment Site Visit Request it states "Based on the availability of funds, recruitment SSPPs whose summer address is 50 miles or more from the SF may receive a $2,000 flat rate for travel to and from the site visit. No additional funds will be provided." What is the likelihood of receiving this allotment? Is it necessary to request for this allotment or will it automatically be given if you are over 50 miles from the SF location? Would this allotment be received this summer or after the SMART award year begins?

I will post their reply for others if it would be helpful so multiple people don't have to ask the same questions of them.

[afnwc]

To my understanding, the $2000 is a flat rate given to any participant who gets their info/paperwork verified, and whose summer address is the 50 miles away from the SF. As far as the time frame goes, I think its paid out on the third Friday of June as to follow the SMART schedule of distributing funds. I spoke with a friend who received SMART last year, and his site visit was early June and he did not get paid until later in June, so take that for what you want. If y'all are flying and booking hotels, I'd say try and coordinate for end of June, first week of July just to secure your travel money. In my case, it is further than 50 miles but within driving distance, so I am going to drive up and stay with a friend.

[kbl2017]

To my understanding, the $2000 is a flat rate given to any participant who gets their info/paperwork verified, and whose summer address is the 50 miles away from the SF. As far as the time frame goes, I think its paid out on the third Friday of June as to follow the SMART schedule of distributing funds. I spoke with a friend who received SMART last year, and his site visit was early June and he did not get paid until later in June, so take that for what you want. If y'all are flying and booking hotels, I'd say try and coordinate for end of June, first week of July just to secure your travel money. In my case, it is further than 50 miles but within driving distance, so I am going to drive up and stay with a friend.

That's a problem. I don't have the funds to pay for my trip in early June....

[Guest]

To my understanding, the $2000 is a flat rate given to any participant who gets their info/paperwork verified, and whose summer address is the 50 miles away from the SF. As far as the time frame goes, I think its paid out on the third Friday of June as to follow the SMART schedule of distributing funds. I spoke with a friend who received SMART last year, and his site visit was early June and he did not get paid until later in June, so take that for what you want. If y'all are flying and booking hotels, I'd say try and coordinate for end of June, first week of July just to secure your travel money. In my case, it is further than 50 miles but within driving distance, so I am going to drive up and stay with a friend.

That's a problem. I don't have the funds to pay for my trip in early June....

It sounds like it's paid as soon as they confirm a site visit with the sponsoring facility

[CSMajor]

I just emailed SMART about this. They typically respond really fast so I'll update you all on Monday.

[mecheng]

I just emailed SMART about this. They typically respond really fast so I'll update you all on Monday.

I emailed them Wednesday evening and still have not heard anything back. Although this was the first time that I have used the email address "smartparticipant@asee.org". I found this email somewhere in the award to use if we had any questions. Has anyone else heard anything back from this one? When I was just an applicant I used "smart@asee.org" and usually heard back the next business day.

[RGuest]

I have been using the "smartparticipant@asee.org" email to contact smart and they so far Ive gotten responses the next business day.

[ForensicMS]

I got an email from my SF POC and from SMART:

"SMART provides a flat rate to the awardees depending on the travel distance. We try to get the funding to them as soon as possible so the sooner we confirm site visit dates and the sooner the awardees submit their site visit request, than the sooner we can pay them. It is up to the awardee to book their travel and the SMART Program pays them directly."

and

"Your Recruitment Site Visit Request Form has been processed. Your Recruitment Site Visit Request Approval is now available in your award portal account at https://smart.asee.org/award . It is located in the Documents section.

A Site Visit Allotment of $2,000.00 will be provided via direct deposit to your bank account. We anticipate these payments going out by the end of the month. You do not need to submit any receipts from your travels; the $2,000 is a fixed payment regardless of your actual travel expenses incurred. The actual deposit day will depend on your financial institution. You are responsible for making your own travel arrangements."

Hope this helps

[biomedeng]

Per the recommendation of the SMART program (via smartparticipant@asee.org), I attended my site visit prior to receive funding or notification of approval. The person answering the emails stated that "...as long as you have approved site dates from your SF, you may begin booking your travel. We are currently in the process of reviewing all awardee site visit requests. Once your has been reviewed you will be notified. It is possible that you may not receive the notice and any possible funding until after you have performed your site visit." In fact, I have still not received any funding or reimbursement.

Hope you guys have some funds saved up to front the trip unless you have it planned for mid-late July.