CalACT | California Association for Coordinated Transportation

Representing Small, Rural, & Specialized Transportation Providers Statewide

Scholarship Application

Applicant Eligibility

Public and non-profit organizations that provide transportation services in non-urbanized areas of California are eligible to apply. This includes organizations that receive or are eligible to apply for Federal Transit Administration Section 5310 and Section 5311 funds, and other organizations, such as planning agencies and human service agencies, addressing transportation needs in rural areas. Each organization may receive up to $1,500 per calendar year until the funds budgeted for the year are exhausted. The organization must indicate its need for financial assistance. Scholarships are awarded to organizations not to individuals. Scholarship payments are made on a reimbursement basis to organizations after the submittal of the required Summary Report and Post Expense form.

Program Eligibility

Scholarships are available to reimburse organizations for courses, workshops, seminars, driver roadeos and conferences with subject matter applicable to rural and specialized transportation, and appropriate to the level of expertise of the person(s) attending. Scholarships are also available to rural members of state advisory committees, transportation commissions and transit association boards and committees to participate in meetings that affect transit. Scholarship funds may not be used for lobbying activity, and may not be passed through to for-profit organizations under contract to Section 5310 and 5311 recipients.

Expense Eligibility

California RTAP will reimburse approved applicant organizations up to $1,500 per calendar year until the funds budgeted for the year are exhausted. Organizations can apply for as many, or as few, programs as they wish. Scholarship funds may be used for registration fees, lodging, and transportation, including mileage reimbursement, or car rental and gas, air, train or bus fares, parking, taxi, shuttles and tolls. Meal expenses are not reimbursed. In many cases, some meals are included as part of the registration fee.

Application Procedures

To apply for a scholarship, submit a completed Scholarship Program Application Form, a Pre-Expense Form and an agenda or brochure describing the program to be attended. Please submit this information at least two weeks before the program to: CalACT, Scholarship Program, 865 Howe Avenue, Suite 330, Sacramento, CA 95825.

Applications can also be submitted by FAX: (916) 920-8021, e-mail: meg@calact.org, or online. Scholarship applications submitted after the event will not be approved.

Please keep in mind the following as you complete the Pre-Expense Form:

  • Estimate the total expenses to be incurred.
  • Indicate the amount of Scholarship requested.
  • Include signature of person attending event/training.
  • Maximum reimbursement rates for rooms and travel are:
    • Hotel rates are reimbursed according to the State guidelines of $84/night plus tax, with the exception of Los Angeles and San Diego counties which are reimbursed up to $110/night plus tax; and Alameda, San Francisco, Santa Clara and San Mateo counties which are reimbursed up to $140/night plus tax.
    • Mileage: $ .50.5/mile
  • Air, bus and train fares must be booked at lowest available coach rates.
  • Rental car fees will be reimbursed up to a maximum of $50/day

Application Review

All applications will be reviewed for organization eligibility and program applicability. The individual submitting the application will be contacted if additional information is needed. Individuals will be notified in writing by mail or email of the approval decision.

Scholarship Reimbursement

Reimbursement for expenses will be made to the organization, not the individual, after receipt of a brief Summary Report of the event attended, a summary of its content, and completion of a Post-Expense Form, with legible copies of receipts for all reimbursable expenses. The Summary Report should be brief describing all, or a specific session(s) attended; highlights of what was learned; whether you would recommend this program to others; and ideas on how the information gained can be shared with others. Scholarship recipients attending CalACT conferences and courses of the Transit and Paratransit Management Certificate Program may be asked to prepare a CalACTION newsletter article based upon a specific conference session attended. Specific requests will be discussed with applicants and described in the Scholarship approval letter. The Summary Report also can include recommendations for future RTAP topics and activities. The Summary Report should not be more than two pages long and must be submitted within 30 days of attending the event. Reimbursement materials submitted more than 30 days after the program attended may not be reimbursed!

Scholarship reimbursement payments will be made within 60 days of receipt of the Summary Report, Post-Expense Form and receipts.

NOTE: RTAP Scholarship Funds are Federal Transit Administration Section 5311 funds, and should be recorded accordingly in your financial reporting.

Should you have any questions about the Scholarship Program, please call us at 800.927.RTAP (7827).

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