General Information & Reform Policy
The Budget Carry Forward program focuses on General Operations Funds which consists of (FD16000 Tech Fee is excluded):
- FD10000 - State Appropriations
- FD10500 - Tuition
- FD10600 - Other General
- FD15000 - Indirect Cost Recovery
Carry Forward Recommendations Summary
The Carry Forward Program under which a maximum of 10% of the adjusted original base budget may be carried forward utilizing up to a 3% allowance and the return for use in future FY mechanisms:
- Return to Institute – Units will report and return excess budget or unused/unplanned surplus budget to the Institute before fiscal year end, and ideally, early in the calendar year, in an effort to support other Institute strategic uses of funding/expenditures prior to fiscal year end.
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Units are permitted to request carry forward up to a maximum of 10% of the unit’s General Operations adjusted original
base budget. This includes prior year funds held by the Institute.
- 3% - Division requests are not to exceed the 3% permitted carry forward allowance.
- 7% - Division requests are not to exceed the 7% return for future allowance. This will allow for carry forward mitigation and multi-year planning, which will amplify impact through carry forward savings for future projects/spending and/or Institute initiatives:
- Return to unit for use in future Fiscal Year (FY) - Units with unused financial resources would advance budget over one or more years to the Institute by execution of a “Request to Return Funds” carry forward request form submission. The request will outline that accumulated funds will be returned in a subsequent year(s) for an approved high priority strategic large dollar initiative(s). The request will also outline the unit’s planned use(s) of funds and an estimated timeline; usually 3-5 years and not to exceed 5 years. Notification of request approval or denial will be communicated. There is a 10% minimum utilization requirement per FY on all funds returned for future. If the 10% minimum is not met then these funds will be returned to the Institute each Fiscal Year (FY) except if impacted by outside extenuating circumstances. Advanced IBPA approval is required in the event a unit is unable to meet the 10% minimum utilization requirement per FY.
- Advance of funds to unit - The unit projects full use of current General Operations Base Budget but needs additional access to Institute carry forward funds for a strategic purpose. The unit may apply for an advance against aggregate carry forward funds request for previously submitted and approved expenditures.
- Provide tools to assist units in tracking and reporting approved Carry forward expenditures separate from units' original budgets.
In addition to the above guidance, below are some reminders related to the carry forward process and the report that is submitted to the USG for approval:
- Keep audience in mind when making carry forward decisions
- Have expenditure strategic plans for carry forward and be specific
- Always keep transparency in mind when making carry forward decisions
Carry Forward Request Forms
The following forms are used to request funds to carry forward, returning or an advance of funds:
Request to Carry Forward General Operations
Form to request up to 3% of Gen Ops adjusted original base budget to carry forward
Edit a Request to Carry Forward General Operations Submissions
Please contact your budget analyst to edit this form.
Request to Return Funds
Form to request to return funds for unit use in future FY use or return to Institute for use on strategic priorities
Edit a Request to Return Funds
Please contact your budget analyst to edit this form.
Request for an Advance of Funds
Form to request for an advance of funds to make purchase in current FY and payback in future FY
Edit a Request for an Advance of Funds
Please contact your budget analyst to edit this form.
State Policy and USG Reporting Template
Georgia Tech’s ability to carry forward Resident Instruction General Operations (RI/Gen Ops) and Departmental Sales and Services (DSS) funds
is a result of section 20-3-86 of the Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A). This section must be renewed every 5 years by the General Assembly,
which leads to additional scrutiny into carry forward. During the FY2021 renewal an annual reporting component was added to the code.
State Policy 2021 Update
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§20-3-86 Georgia Code of Laws:
- “Revenue collected by any or all institutions in the university system from tuition, departmental sales or services, continuing education fees, technology fees, or indirect cost recoveries shall not lapse. The amount of revenue from tuition that shall not lapse under this Code section shall not exceed 3 percent of the tuition collected. This Code section shall stand repealed on July 1, 2026. Not later than October 15 each year, the board of regents shall provide to the Governor, the chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations, and the chairperson of the Senate Appropriations Committee a report of all nonlapsing revenue provided for in this Code section from the preceding fiscal year, the anticipated plans for the use of such nonlapsing revenue, the actual expenses paid for from nonlapsing revenue from the previous fiscal year, and the cumulative balance of nonlapsed revenue."
- Click this link to see full state policy: Senate Bill 81
USG Reporting Template
Carry Forward Calculation
Division carry forward calculations for current year of the adjusted original base budget and prior year actual amounts carried forward.
Current Year Calculations
Prior Year Actual Carry Forward Allocations
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)