[Entitlement to Reimbursement for Dependent's Educational Travel]

The National Security Agency requested a determination as to whether it may reimburse an employee stationed overseas for his dependent's travel expenses to his school in the United States. GAO noted that: (1) subsequent to the employee's transfer overseas, his dependent traveled to his school to begin his second year; and (2) the agency denied the employee's request for reimbursement for his dependent's travel expenses on the ground that the school's curriculum did not qualify as a college education. GAO found that the school's curriculum met the statutory definition of a civilian nautical training school and is similar to that found at several traditional colleges, especially many 2-year junior or community colleges that offer associate degrees. Accordingly, the employee may be reimbursed for his dependent's educational travel expenses.