Faculty Professional Development Funding

FAQs

1. How much funding can I get from the Faculty PD Committee?

The committee awards up to $1,500 per applicant per academic year.

2. Am I guaranteed the $1,500 every year?

No. We have a limited amount of funds to distribute, so they are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, during each meeting we use a prioritization process as follows:

• • 1st priority: Faculty who have not received funding from the faculty PD committee within the last 3 years.
  • 2nd priority: Faculty who have received faculty PD funding within the last 3 years and who are presenting at their activity.
  • 3rd priority: Faculty who have received faculty PD funding within the last 3 years and are not presenting.
  • 4th priority: Retroactive applicants

3. I'm an adjunct. Can I apply?

Yes! We make no distinction between adjunct and full-time faculty when reviewing applications. All ARC faculty are eligible to apply.

4. What sorts of professional development activities are eligible for funding?

We do not maintain a list of eligible activities, but typical activities include conferences, workshops, seminars, courses, and trainings. You must explain how the PD activity benefits you, your students and/or colleagues, and also how it meets the State PD Guidelines, ISLOs, and ARC Strategic Goals. Also, activities for which you receive faculty PD funding are not eligible for salary advancement.

5. What can I use the funds for?

Funds from the Faculty PD Committee may be used to pay for registration, travel, lodging, meals, and certain incidental expenses such as airport parking.

6. How do I apply for Faculty PD Funding?

Faculty Professional Development (PD) funding requests must be planned based on the applicable Faculty PD application deadlines, TAR approval timelines, and—when applicable—registration payment due dates. Requests that depend on PD funding approval and advance payment (registration prepayment or cash advance) must be submitted early enough to allow for required approvals, PD Committee review, and payment processing.

To apply for Faculty Professional Development (PD) funding, you must submit your request through the ARC Travel Authorization Program (Travel Authorization and Reimbursement [TAR] Claim system).

All PD funding requests—including online, local, and travel-based activities—are submitted as part of the TAR Claim, even if no travel-related expenses are requested.

Approval of travel does not guarantee approval of Professional Development (PD) funding. PD funding decisions are made separately by the Faculty Professional Development Committee and follow established Faculty PD application deadlines and funding cycles.

Application Process

• Initiate and complete a Travel Authorization and Reimbursement (TAR) Claim through the ARC Travel Authorization Program and select the option to apply for Professional Development funding.
• Attach estimated cost documentation within the TAR Claim. You do not need to book or pay for expenses prior to applying; however, reasonable cost estimates (such as registration fees, airfare estimates, lodging rates, or other anticipated costs) must be included.
• The TAR Claim will be routed through the TAR system to all required approvers.
• Approval by the Vice President of Administrative Services (VPA) is required before a Professional Development funding request can be reviewed and considered by the Faculty Professional Development Committee.
• The TAR Claim is a two-step process.
  • Step 1 – Request to Attend & Request for Cash Advance/Prepaid Expense must be submitted and fully approved before travel occurs and before Step 2 can be initiated.
  • Step 2 – Request for Reimbursement should be submitted no later than three (3) business days after attendance at the conference or return from travel as a college processing standard.

Prepayment and cash advances

• Requests for registration prepayment or cash advances must be indicated within the TAR Claim.
• Prepayments and cash advances may be issued only when PD funding is approved and available in advance, and when TAR processing timelines allow.
• Faculty are strongly encouraged to plan well in advance and consult the TAR FAQs for guidance on timing and eligibility.
• Cash advances and registration prepayments are requested and approved as part of Step 1 of the TAR Claim.

 Out-of-state travel

• Requests involving out-of-state travel are subject to additional review and approval requirements under District travel regulations.
• Approval by the College President is required for out-of-state travel.
• Because of the additional approval steps, out-of-state requests require earlier planning and may take longer to process.
• Approval of out-of-state travel through the TAR Claim does not guarantee approval of Professional Development funding.

Travel Authorization & Reimbursement (TAR) Claim FAQs

For detailed guidance on Professional Development (PD) planning, including how PD funding interacts with TAR approval, review timelines, registration prepayment, cash advances, and travel requirements, please refer to the Professional Development section of the Travel Authorization and Reimbursement (TAR) Claim FAQs and Travel Section Guidelines.

Faculty PD application deadlines and funding cycles are published on the Faculty Professional Development webpages and should be used when planning PD requests, registration prepayments, or cash advances.

7. What is a Travel Authorization & Reimbursement (TAR) Claim?

The Travel Authorization and Reimbursement (TAR) Claim is the District’s required process for requesting approval and reimbursement for employee travel and related expenses, in accordance with District travel regulations.

At American River College, the TAR Claim is completed and submitted through the ARC Travel Authorization Program (online). The system routes requests electronically to the appropriate approvers and supports reimbursement processing.

8. I'm applying for funding for out-of-state travel. What do I need to know?

Requests for out-of-state travel are subject to additional review and approval requirements under District travel regulations.

• • Approval by the College President is required for all out-of-state travel.
  • Because of the additional approval steps, out-of-state requests require earlier planning and may take longer to process.
  • Required justification and supporting documentation must be included within the TAR Claim, consistent with District travel guidelines.
  • Approval of out-of-state travel through the TAR Claim does not guarantee approval of Professional Development funding.

Faculty should refer to the Travel Authorization & Reimbursement (TAR) Claim FAQs for detailed guidance on out-of-state travel requirements, documentation, and timelines.

9. My activity isn't happening for a while. Can I apply now?

Yes. Faculty are encouraged to apply as early as possible to allow sufficient time for TAR routing, required approvals, and Professional Development Committee review.

Please note:

• • Professional Development funding is reviewed during scheduled Faculty PD funding cycles, not on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Applications must be submitted within an eligible funding cycle that occurs before the activity (or required payment deadline).

Early planning is especially important for activities involving travel, registration prepayment, or out-of-state travel, which may require additional approvals and processing time.

10. My PD activity takes place during summer. When can I apply for faculty PD funding?

If your activity will take place during the summer, you must submit your Professional Development funding request through the Travel Authorization and Reimbursement (TAR) Claim within an eligible Faculty PD funding cycle that occurs before the activity (or any required payment deadline).

Early planning is especially important for summer activities, as funding review and approval occur only during scheduled PD funding cycles.

Please contact the Faculty PD Committee Chair if you have questions about which funding cycle applies.

11. Do I need to submit a waiver for off-contract professional development?

Yes. If your professional development activity (and any associated travel) occurs outside of your assigned contract period, an Off-Contract Professional Development and Travel Waiver is required as part of your Travel Authorization and Reimbursement (TAR) Claim.

When completing the TAR Claim, you will be asked whether the activity occurs outside your contract period. Selecting “Yes” will require the waiver to be uploaded before submission.

For full details, see the Travel Authorization and Reimbursement (TAR) Claim FAQs.

12. Is there some type of evaluation or report I need to submit once I complete my PD activity?

Yes. All faculty who receive Professional Development funding are required to complete an Activity Evaluation Form after the PD activity is completed.

• • The Activity Evaluation Form must be submitted within 30 days of completing the activity.
  • The form is available on the Faculty Professional Development Committee website.
  • Completion of the evaluation is required to remain eligible for future Faculty PD

13. I have questions about the Travel Authorization form.

If you have questions about the Travel Authorization and Reimbursement (TAR) Claim, please contact the Business Services Office.