Division of Extended Programs

 Lodging and Travel Stipend

The deadline for requesting travel assistance has passed. We are no longer accepting applications for free lodging or travel stipends.

ODOT & WOU are again offering travel assistance for providers and instructors who travel at least 50 miles to attend the conference. Because we have a limited amount of funding for out-of-state travel, free lodging for attendees who do not live in Oregon is limited to a first-come, first-served basis.

The deadline to request free lodging and/or travel stipend is February 8, 2013. If you are unable to meet this deadline and wish to stay at the hotel, you will need to make your own reservation and you will be responsible for payment.

Benefit Eligibility

If you live between 50-299 miles from the conference location, you are eligible for one night of free lodging at the conference hotel (Friday, March 15).

If you live at least 300 miles from the conference location, you are eligible for two nights of free lodging at the conference hotel (Friday, March 15 and Saturday, March 16).

If you work for an ODOT-approved provider and live at least 150 miles from the conference location, you are eligible for a $50 travel stipend to apply toward travel expenses.

The distance between an attendee's residence and the conference location will be established via www.mapquest.com.

If your employer is paying for your conference travel, they can apply for your travel stipend. Individuals who are receiving employer reimbursement for travel expenses are not allowed to apply for a travel stipend. For all applicants, Western Oregon University will contact employers to verify who is responsible for travel expenses.

How Do I Apply?

Conference attendees wishing to receive free lodging or a $50 stipend must follow these steps:

1. Register for the conference

2. Submit the Travel Benefit Application

3. Submit an IRS Form W-9

The completed application must be received by WOU no later than 5pm on February 8, 2013. If your application for free lodging is approved, WOU will reserve your room. You do not need to make your own hotel reservations.

In the event that you are unable to attend the conference, you must contact WOU by mail or email. If cancelation is sent via mail service, it must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, March 6. If the cancelation is sent via email, it must be sent to extend@wou.edu by 5pm on Wednesday, March 13. Cancelations will NOT be accepted by phone. If you do not attend the conference and fail to cancel your hotel reservations by the above date, WOU will invoice you for the full lodging expense.

NOTE: For out-of state attendees and non-ODOT approved instructors, funding for travel benefits is limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Submission of a Travel Benefit Application does not guarantee that you will receive free lodging and/or travel stipend.