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Daily Reimbursement Rates

Overview of Milage Rates and the Daily Allowable Meal and Lodging Rates

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) establishes federal per diem rates for the 48 contiguous Continental United States (CONUS). These rates represent the maximum allowable reimbursement amounts for NHSC participants for full-day expenses incurred during approved Job Interview Travel and Relocation travel.

Most CONUS locations (approximately 2,600 counties) are covered under the standard GSA per diem rates. However, certain locations are designated as Non-Standard Areas (NSAs) and have higher per diem rates due to increased cost of living. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, there are 302 NSAs with per diem rates above the standard CONUS rate for Job Interview Travel.

GSA Per Diem Components

Two primary expense categories established by GSA apply to all approved NHSC participant travel:

  • Meals and Incidental Expenses (M&IE)
  • Lodging Expenses

For Job Interview Travel, applicable per diem rates are determined by the geographic location of the Job Interview Travel destination. For Relocation travel, reimbursement is based on the standard GSA per diem rates applicable throughout the United States.

Meals and incidental expenses incurred on the first and last day of travel—referred to as Travel Days—are reimbursed at 75 percent of the applicable full-day per diem rate, in accordance with federal travel regulations.

Mileage Reimbursement Rates

The GSA also establishes the Cost-Per-Mile reimbursement rate for travel in a privately owned vehicle (POV) during approved Job Interview Travel travel.
For Relocation-related POV travel, the applicable mileage reimbursement rate is equal to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Standard Mileage Rate for Moving Purposes. Any changes made by the IRS to the moving mileage rate are automatically reflected in the corresponding GSA mileage rate for the same effective period.

Travel Management Portal Rate Information

The Travel Management Portal provides participants with access to the current and applicable per diem and mileage rates associated with their approved travel. Participants are encouraged to review these rates during their planning and Expense Appointments with a Travel Coordinator to ensure compliance with reimbursement guidelines.