Skip to main content

Transition to Service

Menu

Relocation Funding

Allowable Relocation Expense Amounts

The NHSC provides financial and logistical assistance for a participant’s initial relocation only. Approved relocation expenses are reimbursable up to $10,000 for relocations within the Continental United States (CONUS) and up to $25,000 for relocations involving non-contiguous U.S. locations (OCONUS).

Deadline for Submitting Relocation Expense Reports

All relocation-related expense reports must be submitted within six (6) months of completing the relocation. Expense reports submitted after this timeframe will no longer be eligible for reimbursement.

Scholar Couple Relocations

For scholar couples (spouses or unmarried partners) who:

  •  Are in the same scholar class, and
  • Currently reside at the same residence, and
  • Will relocate to the same destination residence, the following limits apply:
    • Up to $10,000 per household for relocations within CONUS
    • Up to $25,000 per household for overseas or OCONUS relocations

Relocation funding is provided per household, not per individual participant.

Allowable Relocation Expenditures

Approved relocation allowances for participants and eligible family members may include expenses related to:

  •  Travel to the new duty location
  • Hotel lodging during authorized travel
  • Shipment of one vehicle to Alaska, Hawaii, or U.S. territories (vehicle shipping is not authorized      within CONUS)
  • Transportation of household goods
  • Approved advance storage

For detailed descriptions of allowable and non-allowable expenses, participants should refer to the Reimbursement tab on this website.

Job Interview Travel Reimbursement

Maximum Time to Submit Job Interview Travel Expense Reports

Participants must submit Job Interview Travel expense forms within 90 days (three months) of the final date of their approved Job Interview Travel. Expense reports submitted beyond this timeframe are not reimbursable.

 Maximum Job Interview Travel Funding

 Participants are allotted a maximum of $1,200 total to cover all approved Job Interview Travels combined. This is not a per-visit allotment.

As Job Interview Travels are completed, the  Travel Coordinator will inform participants of their remaining balance. Once all Job Interview Travels are completed:

  • Any unused funds expire and are forfeited.
  • Participants who exceed the $1,200 limit are responsible for all additional costs.

Participants are encouraged to inquire with interview sites regarding any available travel support.
Receipts must be submitted within 90 days following return travel. Failure to submit within this timeframe results in loss of reimbursement eligibility.

Family Member Travel for Job Interview Travels

The NHSC permits reimbursement of up to $1,200 for one family member to accompany a participant on one Job Interview Travel only.
For Job Interview Travel purposes, a family member is defined as an individual who will be relocating with the participant and residing in the same household during the NHSC service commitment.
The following requirements apply:

  • The participant and family member must depart and return together
  • The participant and family member must share one hotel room
  • Hotel costs are deducted from the participant’s $1,200 Job Interview Travel allotment
  • NHSC will fund:
    • Coach-class air or rail transportation, and
    • Meals and incidental expenses for the family member

Family members are reimbursable only for the standard Job Interview Travel duration of three days and two nights (3 days/2 nights).
Example:

  • If a participant is approved for an extended Job Interview Travel of five days/four nights, the accompanying family member will still be reimbursed only for three days/two nights.
  • Scholar couples (spouses or unmarried partners) in the same scholar class who travel together are not eligible for an additional $1,200 family member allotment.

Participants are encouraged to contact CivilityMS to ensure full understanding of allotments, reimbursable expenses, and submission deadlines.

Receipt Requirements and Recordkeeping

Participants must retain receipts for all approved reimbursable expenses incurred during travel.

To receive reimbursement:

  • Receipts showing proof and method of payment must be uploaded during the scheduled Expense Appointment
  • Each receipt must exactly match the expense category and amount entered in the Travel Management Portal

Receipts are not required for:

  • Meals reimbursed under federal per diem
  • Gas for travel using a privately owned vehicle

Certain additional costs (e.g., taxi/rideshare fares or airport parking) may be reimbursable if approved.Personal expenses, including clothing, gifts, tips, priority rideshare pickup, or upgraded services, are not reimbursable.

Completing Your Job Interview Travel Expense Form

After returning from a Job Interview Travel, participants should promptly schedule an Expense Appointment through the Appointments tab in the Travel Management Portal.

During the appointment, a Travel Coordinator will assist with completing and submitting the expense form and uploading required documentation.

Approved reimbursements are issued via direct deposit within 30 business days of expense form approval.