IDEA Part B and Preschool Finance Resources

Prior Approval for Participant Support Costs

The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) requires that certain expenditures of Federal funds require prior approval under the cost principles of the Office of Management and Budget Uniform Guidance. These expenditures include Participant Support Costs (PSCs), which are defined as direct costs for items such as stipends or subsistence allowances, travel allowances, and registration fees paid to or on behalf of participants or trainees excluding employees in connection with conferences or training projects (2 CFR §200.75). 

An AU’s Federal Application Narrative that includes the use of IDEA funds for non-employees and/or parents participating in conferences and training must have prior approval from CDE’s Exceptional Student Services Unit (ESSU).  Please refer to guidance issued by OSEP titled "Frequently Asked Questions to Assist U.S. Department of Education Grantees to Appropriately Use Federal Funds for Conferences and Meetings" 

The PSC Request Form includes:

• The total amount of participant support costs to be charged to the IDEA grant;
• A statement confirming that the PSCs will improve the IDEA Part B program and are reasonable, necessary, and allocable to the IDEA Part B grant; and
• A description that includes: the activities for which the costs will be used, elements of the costs (i.e., travel, registration, and individual participant costs), the specific timeframe of the activities, and the role of participants or trainees related to the IDEA Part B program.
• Participant Support Costs - Pre-Approval Request Form

Please allow no less than two weeks for CDE review and approval.

For questions about this form and for assistance in completing it, contact Kathryn Hunt at Hunt_K@cde.states.co.us,

Questions? 

If you have any questions regarding the content on this page please contact:

Kathryn Hunt, J.D.
Fiscal Specialist
Email Kathryn