An authorized certifying officer of the Forest Service requested an advance decision on the claims of two employees who were enrolled in graduate school courses pursuant to training agreements and wished to be reimbursed the graduate student rate rather than the special student rate authorized by departmental regulations. GAO held that the agency has broad discretion to pay all or part of training...

DIGEST: TWO FOREST SERVICE EMPLOYEES WERE ENROLLED IN GRADUATE SCHOOL COURSES PURSUANT TO TRAINING AGREEMENTS. CLAIMS FOR DIFFERENCE IN TUITION COSTS ARE DENIED SINCE AGENCY HAS BROAD DISCRETION TO PAY ALL OR PART OF EXPENSES OF TRAINING AND SINCE APPLICABLE REGULATIONS DICTATE THAT THE AGENCY PAY THE LOWER RATE. GIESE AND MCKEEVER - CLAIM FOR ADDITIONAL TUITION COSTS FOR GOVERNMENT APPROVED TRAIN...