Frequently Asked Questions

For which "away" clerkship sites is travel reimbursable?
A site qualifies for travel reimbursement if it is more than 27 miles from Seattle and is a required clerkship. The required clerkships are: Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Surgery, Neurology, Chronic Care and Emergency Medicine.

To which sites is travel not reimbursable?
The School does not reimburse students for travel to and from clerkships offered in Seattle, Bellevue, Bothell, Burien, Edmonds, Kirkland, Lakewood, Redmond, and Renton.

What if I would like to incorporate a personal trip into my upcoming clerkship schedule?
The School of Medicine travel desk will not reimburse a student for personal expenses while traveling to/from a clerkship site. Any additional driving or airfare beyond what the School would normally reimburse for clerkship travel is at the student's expense.

Can I take the ferry to Bremerton?
Yes. You should take the ferry to Bremerton clerkship sites. Since housing is available in Bremerton, you will be reimbursed for one round-trip Seattle-to-Bremerton ferry ticket. You will not be reimbursed for mileage if you choose to drive instead of taking the ferry. Please retain your ferry receipts and submit them to the following address for reimbursement:

Academic Affairs - DOM
Attn: Student Travel
University of Washington
Box 356340
Seattle, WA 98195

What if I have a required lecture or exam?
If the department requires you to return to Seattle or travel elsewhere for a required lecture or exam, the School will pay for transportation expenses. You must contact the Dean's Office travel desk in advance to make these travel arrangements.

What if the site requires me to travel to nearby sites?
If the site requires you to travel to a site or sites away from the required clerkship site, the School is not responsible for those travel expenses.

Will I be reimbursed for travel if I ride with a fellow student to a clerkship site?
No. The School will only reimburse the student whose personal vehicle is being used for travel to the site.

Do I need to keep track of my odometer display or retain gas receipts?
No. Travel to and from the required clerkship site (excluding Alaska Sites) will be reimbursed at predetermined rates based on distances between points of travel. You will not need to record your odometer readings.

Will I be reimbursed for travel to my away ELECTIVE clerkship sites?
No. The School reimburses only for travel to REQUIRED clerkships.

Will there be a car available for my use at the clerkship site?
Very few sites provide cars for student use. You should expect to provide your own transportation.

Will the School pay for me to drive a rental car?
Except for at a few remote required clerkship sites in Alaska, the School will not reimburse you for a rental car for travel to/between clerkship sites, nor will a rental car be provided while at the site. There will be no reimbursement for rental cars if you fly to a site that does not have a vehicle on site for use. Contact Academic Affairs to learn the current policy regarding remote Alaska required clerkship sites.

When flying, will I always get my preferred itinerary/flight times/carriers?
The School reserves the right to book flights at times and on routes and carriers offering the lowest fares.

What do I do with my unused or canceled ticket?
You may not cash in tickets. Unused tickets must be credited to the Dean's Office travel account. If a ticket is canceled due to a non-academic reason, you will be responsible for the cancelation fee.

What expenses are not reimbusable?
Expenses such as side trips and transporting extra baggage (such as skis, bicycles, etc.) are the student's responsibility. Students will not be reimbursed for transportation costs to or from airports. This includes but is not limited to taxi and shuttle fees, and family/friend personal vehicle mileage.