Department of Defense Education Activity

Non-DoD Schools Program (NDSP)

Contacts:

NDSP HQ Management:

 

Regional Specialist:

Pacific:
Europe:
Americas:

 

 

Who We Are

The NDSP is a program within the Department of Defense Education Activity. The purpose of NDSP is to provide educational support and financial assistance to defray costs of education and to facilitate educational continuity in international locations where there is no DoDEA school. NDSP does not approve, endorse, or certify schools.

You may choose the educational setting that best meets your child's needs. You must select an educational option that will allow your child to easily transition to the next grade when you return to the United States.

Mission

Educate, engage, and empower each student to succeed in a dynamic world. As a part of Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), the Non-Department of Defense Schools Program (NDSP) adopts the DoDEA mission and vision statement.

Vision

To be among the world's leaders in education, enriching the lives of military-connected students and the communities in which they live.

Goal

To provide support to facilitate continuity of education in international locations.

 

Who We Serve

Eligibility and approval for the enrollment of an eligible minor dependent of a DoD sponsor must be obtained from the NDSP office prior to enrolling a child in a non-DoD school. For first-time family registration, adding a new dependent, or moving to another NDSP duty location, review the procedures for Initial Registration.  

View the NDSP Orientation to become familiar with:

  • NDSP Eligibility
  • Educational options provided by NDSP
  • Department of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) education allowance
  • The overseas educational screening process for students with special education needs
  • Authorized and unauthorized expenses
  • Educational expenses that must be pre-approved
  • NDSP registration process
  • Who to contact for further questions regarding NDSP

Once opened, you will have several tools available to help you navigate quickly. Tools located at the top of the screen include the table of contents and a search feature. You can use the search feature located at the top right side of the screen to find specific words or phrases. The table of contents located at the top left side of the screen can be used to access hyperlinked topics and sub-topics.

Tools at the bottom left side of the screen include thumbnails view, add bookmarks, full-screen view, share eVersion, select text, print, download (PDF version), and zoom in. Tools at the bottom right side of the screen include first page, previous page, slideshow, next page, and last page.

Initial Registration, Adding a Dependent, New Duty Location

Upon receipt of assignment orders to an overseas location where there is no DoDEA school:

Note: The sponsor MUST obtain approval for tuition and other expenses from DoDEA HQ NDSP prior to incurring any expense or signing any agreements and/or contracts.

Re-registration

Families already registered in NDSP must re-register each year. Visit the Sponsor Portal to complete the re-registration process. You must use the email address NDSP has on file for your account.

  1. You are required to log on and complete the reregistration/update process on the NDSP Sponsor Portal. Review the reregistration dates below.
  2. You MUST indicate if you are PCSing during or at the end of the next school year. If extending the overseas tour, you may submit extension orders.
  3. You must reregister yourself first. Note that your name will appear in the list with your dependents
  4. Once you reregister yourself, then reregister each of your dependents who are currently enrolled for this school year.
  5. You will be asked to provide the school fee schedule, school calendar, and invoice for the next school year, if available. Note that these documents are NOT required to process your reregistration, but ARE required to process payments.
  6. If reregistering and you need to add a dependent not currently registered with the NDSP, you must create a NEW account using the NDSP Student Online Registration (SOR) system by going to NDSP Student Online Registration (SOR) system, to add the new dependent. Use the Sponsor Portal to reregister your dependents whom are already in the program.
  7. If moving to a new NDSP duty location, you will NOT use the Sponsor Portal. Instead, you must create a NEW account using the NDSP Student Online Registration (SOR) system.

It is recommended that you complete the Family Budget Planning Tool annually to ensure knowledge regarding the current DSSR, allowable costs, and costs to the sponsor. We have prepared a Family Budget Planning Tool Tutorial to guide you along your way.

If you have any difficulty accessing the portal, please send an email to .

COVID-19 Impact on Tuition Payments for Eligible Dependents of the NDSP

COVID 19 Educational Resources for Sponsors and Students

COVID-19 has significantly disrupted the education cycle for a large number of NDSP students.  The pandemic came quickly, seemingly out of nowhere.  While we still do not know how long we will have to contend with the illness or its consequences—especially as related to education, we are providing links to resources that can assist you with remaining prepared in to deal with current circumstances and in the event of future evacuations, school closures, etc.  

In addition to eligible dependents located at the overseas duty station, the NDSP has been given a special authorization to allow payments for those eligible dependents who are on authorized departure from the overseas location when the following provisions are met:

  • The DoD-sponsor is at the overseas duty station and the school-aged dependent cannot travel to the duty station because of COVID-19 implications; and o the school-aged dependent was enrolled in the Non-DoD Schools Program for the SY 2019-20 but is in the safe-haven location due to authorized/ordered departure status; and o the family intends for the dependent to return to the duty station as soon as they are authorized to do so; and o the student enrolls at the overseas school; and o the overseas school will provide online schooling as of the start of the school year.

The DoD sponsor has the choice to enroll their dependent in a publically funded school in the safe haven location. However, if the dependent is re-enrolled in the overseas school, then the sponsor will be required to sign a repayment agreement prior to the NDSP payment.

Sponsors may upload their signed agreement with tuition invoice to their sponsor portal or email to the NDSP Administration box at . They may also email NDSP Management at .

If you have specific questions, please contact us by emailing at NDSP.Management.dodea.edu or reach out to your regional education specialists at:

Pacific:
Europe:
Americas:

COVID 19 Updates for Our Military-Connected Community

Educational/Academic Resources:

NDSP Evacuation Education Allowance Reference
Non-DoD Schools Program Education Allowance Reference Guide For Evacuation Situations

Back to School Planning: Checklists to Guide Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers
Includes tips for in-person classes and virtual/at-home learning
 
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) PTA Resources
Includes links to multiple resources for families of students with disabilities
 
COVID-19 Resources for Parents with Children with Special Needs
As a military parent with a child or children with special needs, you may now face additional challenges due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
 
Easy-to-use Resources for families making the switch to learning from home
Wide Open School helps families and educators find trusted resources to enrich and support distance learning.
 
External Repositories of Distance Learning Solutions
Includes curriculums, curriculum support, and enrichment activities and resources for students post-primary through post-secondary
 
Family Focused Resources for Transitions during COVID-19
Includes guidance in multiple languages
 
Homeschooling Facts
Includes information about homeschool state laws, support groups, and transitioning from traditional education
 
How to Handle School Closures and Services for your Child with Autism/Coping with COVID-19 Disruptions
For children with autism, the school closure may mean disruption to learning support services your child receives at school.
 
New Resource Helps Parents, Teachers Keep Students on Track through Disruptions (Video)
This video gives an overview of the information presented in the video series.


Support Services Resources:

(Includes mental and behavioral health resources)

COPING WITH UNCERTAINTY AND DISASTER DISTRESS
Disaster Distress Helpline
SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
 
Helping Children Cope
Children and teens react, in part, on what they see from the adults around them. When parents and caregivers deal with the COVID-19 calmly and confidently, they can provide the best support for their children.
 
Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease 2019
CDC has created recommendations to help adults have conversations with children about COVID-19 and ways they can avoid getting and spreading the disease.

SUICIDE PREVENTION

Emotional Wellbeing During the COVID-19 Outbreak
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States.

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION/DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Coronavirus Tips & Resources for Parents, Children, Educators & Others
For our collective health and well-being, we must adhere to the requirements of social distancing.
 
Intimate Partner Violence and Child Abuse Considerations During COVID-19 (PDF)
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Americans are required to stay home to protect themselves and their communities.
 
Resources for Safety and Support During COVID-19
Those who are surviving violence in their relationships and families may be experiencing increased isolation and danger caused by social distancing measures during the Coronavirus public health emergency.
 
Support for People Experiencing Abuse
Violence is a serious public health problem. It affects people in all stages of life, from infants to the elderly.

TRICARE FAQ

(including behavioral health care, mental health care, physical therapy, and occupational therapies)

COVID-19 and Telemedicine Services
You can find answers to your frequently asked questions (FAQs) and more on the TRICARE Coronavirus FAQs page.