NDSP: Education Related Expenses

What expenses are reimbursable and which are not?

The Education Allowance, set by the Department of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR), is designed to assist in defraying those costs necessary to obtain educational services which are ordinarily provided without charge by the public schools in the United States.  The AT POST Rate provides the educational allowance for the specific location In those cases where adequate schools are not available at the sponsor’s post, the DSSR  Away from Post educational allowance provides for the cost of room and board and periodic transportation between the sponsor’s post and school.

The Non-DoD Schools Program pays one-time fees or special costs (i.e., building and maintenance fees, admission fees, registration, etc.) , if listed on the school’s fee schedule and only once during a sponsor’s tour of duty.  Exceptions apply when:

  1. The non-DoD school attended does not offer the next grade, e.g., elementary to middle or middle to high school, or the appropriate program;
  2. The non-DoD school is not able to accommodate the needs of the child and recommends another school, or;
  3. The sponsor is transferred.

Examples

Allowable Expenses Non-Allowable Expenses
  • Basic tuition for required courses;
  • Necessary elective courses offered by the
    school;
  • Required Fees such as laboratory, library, registration, matriculation, building/
    development, testing required by the local
    school, and required "donations";
  • Books and classroom fees for materials
    furnished by the school which are consumed
    on the premises, e.g. Home Economics, Art,
    and Shop materials; and
  • Specialized Equipment capped at $120 for
    students in grades K-5; $140 for students in
    grades 6-8; and $150 for students in
    grades 9-12.
  • Textbooks for religious instruction;
  • Lost or damaged books;
  • School supplies such as paper, pencils, pens, calculators, laptops, dictionaries, thesauri,
    and items that have broader use than the
    course being studied;
  • Computers, keyboards, printers, televisions, scanners, etc.;
  • Lunches, uniforms (daily attire or physical education), elective courses for dancing,
    horseback riding, sports or other specialized instruction, laundry, locker and towel fees, admissions to school events, yearbooks,
    graduation expenses, personal expenses,
    and other items not ordinarily provided free
    of charge by public schools in the U.S.
  • Fees not authorized will not be included in the
    basic tuition fees.  Special education services, tutoring, and supplemental courses must have PRIOR approval.
Note:  Costs for the education of dependents of DoD sponsors assigned to or employed by the DoD Security Assistance Program (FMS, SAO, MDAO) will be funded by the sponsor's organization.  However, approval of educational programs and supplementary education requests are DoDEA's responsibility. Non-DoD Schools Program policies apply.

Home-Based Education

  • Parents electing to provide home-schooling instruction rather than enrolling their child in a local school must:
    • Become aware of and comply with the Host Nation requirements for home schooling;
    • Select or develop a home-based education program and complete the Home-Based Education Plan;
    • Enroll in NDSP.
Allowable Expenses
  • Traditional curriculum and other supplemental materials as may be appropriate;
  • Course-specific instructional CDs/software, textbooks on a grade/age appropriate basis;
  • Group participation in extracurricular activities that are normally free of charge in the U.S.,;
  • Fees for curriculum-related on-line internet services such as study programs, library services, and
    distance learning. 
  • Rental of curriculum related equipment (microscope) or very large band instruments (Sousaphone)
    that would normally be provided by U.S. public schools; and
  • Required testing materials, advisory teaching service, tuition charges, lesson postage and shipping
    costs.
Note:  Your dependent's maximum DSSR entitlement for Home Based Education is:  $5,700 for Grades K-8 and $7,700 Grades 9-12).

Invoices and Reimbursement

Allowable Expenses

Invoices for authorized expenses should be submitted by one method only to include:
Note: Allow thirty to thirty-five days for processing purposes. In most cases, payment will be made by the nearest Department of Defense or Department of State disbursing office.


Sponsors are responsible for notifying NDSP if a dependent changes schools; there is a Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS); Early Dependent Return; etc. Costs incurred due to lack of notification by the sponsor to NDSP will be the sponsor's responsibility.

*For Special Education DSSR rates, please contact the NDSP HQ Team.