Funding Requests

Before submitting a Professional Development funding request, please review the following:

• Advance Approval: Approval from both the Professional Development Committee and President’s Staff is required before attending any funded event or activity.
• Funding Request Deadline: Requests must be submitted at least one month before the event or activity. Requests submitted after an event has occurred will not be approved (effective January 1, 2025).
• International Travel: Activities involving travel outside the United States require NOCCCD Board of Trustees approval before travel occurs.
• Funding Availability: Funding is subject to available funds and Professional Development Committee priorities.

Apply Early
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit requests at least two months before the event or activity whenever possible. Applying early allows sufficient time for review, approval, processing, and any required followup.

All Professional Development funding requests, travel arrangements, and reimbursement requests must comply with North Orange County Community College District (NOCCCD) policies, procedures, and regulations.

Employees are responsible for reviewing and following applicable District requirements before making travel arrangements or incurring expenses.

Business Necessity
Advance approval may be required. Any expense outside AP7400 requires advance approval before travel and documentation of business necessity. The Business Necessity Form must be completed before the expense is incurred. Examples may include:

• Transportation upgrades or additional baggage fees
• Lodging within 50 miles of the District Office or College • Lodging the night after a conference
• Meals/per diem when distance requirements are not met
• Other exceptions to AP7400

Prepayment
Prepayment is available for registration, hotel, and airfare. Prepayment requests must be submitted at least 15 business days before the seminar or conference. See District website for more information.

Reimbursement
Employees who pay eligible expenses out of pocket must submit a Travel Expense Report (TER) for reimbursement. Reimbursements may take up to 90 days after the District receives a completed TER with all required receipts and supporting documentation.

District Travel Resources

• Administrative Procedure AP7400: Travel and Conference Attendance (Revised May 18, 2026)
• Transportation and Travel Procedures
• Travel Expense Report (TER) Form and Instructions

Requests must:

• Advance the Cypress College Mission.
• Support at least one of the five directions identified in the Cypress College 2025-2028 Strategic Plan.
• Comply with authorized uses of professional development funds as outlined in Section 87153 of the California Education Code

Requests that do not meet these criteria will not be considered for funding.

Employees may receive up to $2,000 per academic year, subject to available funds.

Funding may be used across multiple eligible activities; a separate funding request is required for each activity. All requests require Division Dean or Immediate Management Supervisor (IMS) approval.

Retroactive funding requests are not accepted (effective January 1, 2025).

Professional Development funding cycles are available during the fall and spring semesters while classes are in session.

Completed applications, including Division Dean or IMS approval and all required supporting documentation, must be received by the applicable deadline.

Fall 2026

• Cycle 1: Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
• Cycle 2: Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
• Cycle 3: Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Cycle 3 includes funding consideration for activities occurring in December 2026, January 2027, and February 2027.

Spring 2027

• Cycle 4: Sunday, February 14, 2027, at 11:59 p.m.
• Cycle 5: Sunday, March 14, 2027, at 11:59 p.m.
• Cycle 6: Sunday, April 18, 2027, at 11:59 p.m

Cycle 6 includes funding consideration for activities occurring in May and June 2027, as well as preliminary funding consideration for the next fiscal year (July, August, and September 2027).

Please note: Deadlines indicate when applications are reviewed by the Professional Development Committee. Submitting close to a deadline may not allow sufficient time to resolve corrections, provide additional documentation, or complete the approval process before the event.

All deadlines are subject to available funds and may change without notice.

Complete the Professional Development Funding Request Form (opens September 1, 2026). Before submitting, make sure you:

• Complete all required sections.
• Upload all required supporting documentation.
• Review and sign the form.
• Route the completed form to your Division Dean or Immediate Management Supervisor (IMS) for approval.

If Corrections Are Needed
Incomplete applications or missing documentation may be returned for corrections. Required corrections must be completed before the request can continue through the review process.

Questions? Contact the Professional Development team at conferencefunding@cypresscollege.edu.

The Professional Development Committee meets during the fall and spring semesters while classes are in session to review funding requests and develop recommendations.

Applicants should allow at least two weeks after the funding deadline for the review and approval process.

Approval Review Process:

1. Professional Development Committee Review:
   The committee reviews requests and develops funding recommendations based on established criteria.
2. President’s Staff Approval:
   The Professional Development Coordinator forwards recommended requests to President’s Staff for final review and approval.
3. Applicant Notification:
   The Professional Development Coordinator notifies applicants of the final decision by email.

Evaluation Criteria

The Professional Development Committee considers:

• Alignment with the Cypress College Mission, Strategic Plan, and applicable Education Code requirements.
• Benefit to students and clearly defined outcomes.
• Connection to the applicant’s job responsibilities and professional development goals.
• Opportunities to share knowledge, skills, or resources with colleagues.
• Whether the activity involves:
  • Presenting at a conference or event.
  • Advising a student organization.
• Whether the selected seminar, conference, or training is the closest geographically appropriate option.
• Whether an online or other cost-effective option is available.

These factors help support equitable distribution of Professional Development funds, prioritize opportunities that benefit Cypress College, and ensure responsible use of available funding.

Professional Development reimburses only expenses approved in advance as part of the funding request.
To qualify for reimbursement:

• Expenses must comply with NOCCCD District travel requirements.
• Expenses must align with the approved Professional Development activity and award.
• Receipts must be in the recipient’s name.

After Completing Your Funded Activity
Within 15 business days of completing your activity:

1. Submit Reimbursement Documentation
   Email the following to conferencefunding@cypresscollege.edu:
   • Completed draft Travel Expense Report (TER)
   • Conference agenda
   • Expense receipts
     
2. Complete the Professional Development Funding Activity Report
   Fill out this form to share the benefit of the activity and how the knowledge, skills, or experience gained will be applied or shared.

Professional Development staff will review the documentation, assist with finalizing the TER, and submit the completed report to the Business Office. Reimbursements may take up to 90 days after the District receives a completed TER with all required receipts and supporting documentation.

Important Year-End Reminder
Activities occurring in May or June require immediate submission of reimbursement documentation to meet fiscal year-end processing deadlines.

For questions or assistance with the Professional Development funding process, contact conferencefunding@cypresscollege.edu.