OPM Ref. # 1997-00145
[agency name and address]
Dear Ms. [xxx]:
This replies to your January 27, 1997 letter requesting a formal opinion on the following issue:
May an agency approve a training request and, therefore, approve pay of an employee while attending training, when the agency does not pay for all or part of the training and/or travel costs associated with the training? Or conversely stated, when the employee pays for all or part of the training and/or travel costs associated with the training?
The answer is yes. The training act provides a great deal of discretion to agencies to enter into agreements with employees to pay for some or all of the expenses associated with training, including pay, travel and transportation, and tuition and fees. 5 U.S.C. 4109(a)(1),(2).
Very truly yours,
Paul Britner
Senior Attorney