College policy generally prohibits the use of College funds to purchase gift cards or gift certificates. This restriction applies to all College accounts, regardless of funding source, including student activity funds and grant-funded accounts.

According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), gift cards and gift certificates provided in exchange for services, including volunteer services, are considered cash-equivalent payments and must be treated as taxable compensation. As such, any payments to employees or volunteers must be processed through the Payroll Department. Additionally, because many students are also College employees, providing gift cards as compensation may affect their financial aid eligibility.

Requests for reimbursement for the purchase of gift certificates or gift cards will not be processed.