Introduction to Fastlane and NSF Policies.doc
NSF Fastlane login: https://www.fastlane-beta.nsf.gov/grfp/Login.do.
· This is where you will do all your interactions with NSF, such as declare tenure/reserve status and request travel authorization. I have access to your records on Fastlane and will review all requests.
Print and carefully read the PDF booklet, “Information for Graduate Fellows,” which is available on the Fastlane website. Please print and carefully read the “GRFP FAQs” as well.
Some policies of which to be aware:
You must be enrolled and registered in 8 units each quarter you’re on “tenure” (i.e., you’re receiving funding from NSF on this fellowship).
NSF & the Graduate Division restrict employment while on the NSF GRFP. If you wish to work at 25% or less, your department will need to submit an exception request, stating the following:
· Reason for the employment
· How the employment will impact your academic degree progress
· Length of appointment
· Percentage of appointment based on a 40-hour work week (e.g., 25% is 10 hours, 50% is 20 hours, etc.)
NSF may allow a one-time appointment of 50% if it is for a Teaching Assistantship (e.g., you may only TA once while on tenure). The thinking is that NSF is funding you to conduct your research. If you’re also working half-time, then you are not devoting 100% of your time to your research.
If you take advantage of the international travel allowance, you must fly on a US carrier (see the policy on the Fly America Act at www.nsf.gov/pubs/policydocs/rtc/nsf_109.pdf).
Payment disbursements:
Summer is paid as a lump sum of $7,500 in the last week of June for continuing students.
Payments for October through June are made monthly, toward the end of the preceding month (e.g., late September for October’s payment). EXCEPTION: Your January payment will be made in early January. However, you will not be assessed any late fee charges, because Student Accounting will know you are receiving a fee payment fellowship.
Bruin Direct: If you haven’t already done so, please sign up for Bruin Direct (see http://www.gdnet.ucla.edu/gss/library/bdintro.htm). This way you will receive your payments into your Billings and Accounts Receivable (BAR) account within two to three business days instead of having to wait five to seven business days for a check to arrive by snail mail.
J:\Apps\EXTRAMURAL\NSF\Introduction to Fastlane and NSF Policies.doc 2