FAQs

The British curriculum is very different from the American curriculum. Please review the NDSP Guide to British Education which provides detailed information about options within the British National curriculum. If your child is in secondary school, it is imperative that you understand the challenges with this educational option and its possible impact upon a successful transition back to the U.S and/or impact on the timeliness of graduation. Contact the NDSP Area Education Specialist for more information or assistance.

All home study purchases made for the 2021-22 school year will be reimbursed according to the updated guidance.

NDSP may only fund one trip at the beginning of the school year to school and one trip at the end of the school year to your duty location. No other trips may be funded by NDSP.

20 United States Code (USC) 926(b) provides the basis for the DoDEA to support school-aged dependents in overseas locations where there are no DoD-operated schools. This same provision requires the NDSP to align with the Department of State Standardized Regulation (section 270) to the maximum extent practicable. As a result, and only for dependents eligible for the NDSP, is there a home study education allowance. While DoD-connected dependents can homeschool in locations where the DoDEA operates schools, they are not afforded an education allowance to do so.

The education allowance is intended to assist employees to meet the extraordinary and necessary expenses incurred by reason of service in a foreign area, not otherwise compensated for, in providing an adequate elementary or secondary education for their dependent children. Reimbursement is limited to costs for educational services normally provided free of charge in U.S. public schools and for the purpose of the newly established guidance, the reimbursement is based upon that which is at no cost to a public school student in the District of Columbia or one of the adjacent counties in Maryland or Virginia (referred to as the DMV).

While the law does not specifically discuss home study/private instruction/virtual schooling, it is in the best interest of the United States Government (USG) to ensure students enrolled in a home study course, private instruction or virtual schooling in a foreign area are able to reintegrate into a public education system when they return to the United States.

No, these are two processes. You must re-register your child in the NDSP in addition to following the school’s procedures for re-registering.

The Non DoD Schools Program (NDSP) provides academic support and funding for the education of authorized command sponsored dependents of the U.S. Department of Defense military members and civilian employees assigned to overseas areas where no U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity School (DoDEA) is available. The program currently serves approximately 3800 students in 131 countries.

NDSP will pay for the required fees associated with an AP or IB. Transportation costs to a testing site are not an allowable expense.

No, you are not required to select a school. If you are not sure which school option is best for your child, it is best to leave this field blank. After eligibility is established, you may email NDSP.Management@hq.dodea.edu once you have selected a school. A new Registration Notification email will be sent to you.

The annual maximums, which are for grades K-6 and grades 7-12, respectively, are currently in alignment with the Department of State’s posted allowance and for home study it is $10,500 and $21,500. However, the maximum amount reimbursed for allowable expenses cannot exceed the "at post" education allowance listed in DSSR Section 920 when the school/grade at post is considered adequate and that maximum rate for school at post is less than the applicable maximum rate for home study/private instruction/virtual schooling.

Note: A separate education allowance for children with special needs qualifying under PL-105-17, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA), is available ages 3-21. The maximum education allowance rate for home study/private instruction/virtual schooling of children with special needs is shown at DSSR 274.12c.

If your child was eligible in the prior U.S. public school and the current school does not provide a gifted program, you may be eligible for additional materials/courses. All gifted education services require pre-approval by the NDSP Area Educational Specialist.

The ACT and SAT are college admission examinations and are not an authorized expense. 

Uniforms are not an allowable expense with NDSP. These costs are the responsibility of the sponsor.

No, you must be in country before NDSP can fund any school fees. If you have to pay an application fee or any other start-up fees prior to arriving at your new location, save your receipts. NDSP can refund you those costs once you arrive in location.

Weekly boarding is an option for students in grades 6-12. NDSP may fund the cost of transportation home and back to boarding school each week up to the limits of the DSSR away from post allowance for your duty location.

The education allowance can only be used to reimburse items authorized by the statute. Additionally, the Education Allowance is not currently subject to Federal Income Tax and for that reason is a reimbursement for necessary expenses.

Congress requires an accounting of all allowances from agencies approximately every five years. If an employee were given an amount of money without documentation this could move their allowance to taxable income. It is not so simple as to just advance this allowance. Regulations for government funding which result in personal property require a burden of proof given that the U.S. taxpayer is ultimately paying for items that will result in the sponsor’s personal property.

Study trips/field trips or athletic trips are not an allowable expense whether they are voluntary or mandatory.

No, NDSP pays for school tuition and other associated fees for students in kindergarten through 12th grade unless the student receives special education services. Your child can attend preschool in location but NDSP will not be able to fund it.

No. Reimbursement may not be received prior to the sponsor and dependent’s arrival at a foreign post. After the dependent is authorized and has arrived at the foreign post of assignment, Home Study Reimbursement Worksheet may be filed to receive reimbursement of allowable expenses.

No, NDSP cannot purchase a musical instrument for your child. However, NDSP can fund rental of a musical instrument for your child if the school does not provide the instrument.

The policy refers to age/grade appropriateness as it relates to academic programs and/or materials. Most vendors provide an age recommendation and while we recognize that these are not concrete. The NDSP generally would consider within a 3-year age/grade range to be appropriate. If the parent deems an item appropriate that is outside of this range, then the education plan can be used to justify.