The Nonpublic Security Equipment (NPSE) program for Year 10 is finally winding down, and we are expecting the combined Year 11/12 application window to open shortly. NYSED recently shared that the cut-off date for allowable expenses for Year 11/12 will be December 31, 2025. This means that any eligible expenses that you want to request reimbursement for would have to have been incurred by that date. You should use this date to guide your current planning for what expenses to include in your application. With the allocations almost tripling from Year 10, it is important to start planning and gathering necessary documentation now.
For Year 10, almost 75% of the applications required requests from the State for additional documentation. This back and forth with the State substantially slows down the process of approving applications and issuing payments. The 11/12 application process is going to feature some changes that are designed to make things clearer to schools on the front end. As a result, the application may be longer than last year, but the goal is to limit the amount of time spent by the State clarifying the reimbursement requests. It’s imperative for us as a group to tighten up our work in this program. This will help the program move efficiently and help reimbursements get to school accounts.
Some other interesting facts from the Year 10 process: NYSED approved $33m in claims and paid out another $7m in Approved Unreimbursed expenses for a total payout of $40m. This is 2.5 times the payout amount for Year 9. We are expecting to shatter this record amount for Year 11/12 and will be assisting schools in getting their applications organized when the reimbursement request process starts. Don’t get caught unprepared!