Tufts University provides a variety of finance forms to manage student finances, employee compensation, procurement, and various other financial operations. These forms are crucial for ensuring compliance, accuracy, and efficiency in handling university funds. Understanding the purpose and proper completion of these forms is essential for students, faculty, and staff.
Student Financial Forms
Students rely on finance forms for tasks like:
* **Financial Aid Application (FAFSA):** While a standardized federal form, it’s the cornerstone of applying for financial aid at Tufts. It determines eligibility for grants, loans, and work-study programs. * **Verification Forms:** Following FAFSA submission, Tufts may request verification forms to confirm information provided, such as income or household size. * **Loan Adjustment Forms:** Used to request changes in loan amounts or disbursement schedules. * **Tuition Payment Plans:** Enrollment forms for payment plans allowing tuition to be paid in installments. * **Study Abroad Financial Aid Forms:** These forms are specifically for students studying abroad, allowing them to apply their financial aid towards program costs.
Employee Finance Forms
Faculty and staff utilize finance forms primarily for:
* **Direct Deposit Authorization:** To set up or modify direct deposit for salary payments. * **W-4 Form (Employee’s Withholding Certificate):** Used to determine federal income tax withholding. * **MA Tax Form M-4:** Used to determine Massachusetts state income tax withholding. * **Expense Reimbursement Forms:** To request reimbursement for business-related expenses, requiring receipts and documentation. * **Travel Authorization Forms:** Prior approval required for university-sponsored travel, outlining budget and purpose. * **Independent Contractor Agreement (ICA):** Used when hiring independent contractors to ensure proper classification and tax compliance.
Procurement Forms
Forms relating to purchasing and procurement include:
* **Purchase Requisition Forms:** Used to initiate the purchase of goods or services. * **Check Request Forms:** Used to request payment for specific invoices or services. * **Vendor Setup Forms:** Required to add new vendors to the university’s system for payment purposes. * **ProCard Reconciliation Forms:** For employees with university credit cards (ProCards), these forms are used to reconcile monthly charges with supporting documentation.
Other Important Forms
Other finance forms may cover areas such as:
* **Gift Acceptance Forms:** Used to document and track donations to the university. * **Budget Transfer Request Forms:** To request transfers of funds between different budget lines. * **Sponsored Research Forms:** Used for managing funds related to research grants and contracts.
Tufts University generally provides these forms in electronic format on its finance or departmental websites. Accessing and completing these forms accurately is crucial for efficient financial management within the university. Instructions are typically provided with each form, and assistance is readily available from the relevant departments, such as Student Financial Services, Human Resources, and Procurement Services.