Introduction to FAQs for the OIE Professional Development Program Work-Related Service Payback Requirements
The Professional Development Program (PDP) provides grants to eligible entities to—
- Increase the number of qualified Indian individuals in professions that serve Indian people;
- Provide training to qualified Indian individuals to become teachers and administrators; and
- Improve the skills of qualified Indian individuals who serve in the education field.
Grant awards are made to Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) through a competitive grant process. Awards can also be made to consortiums of IHEs with State or Local Education Agencies, Indian Tribes or organizations, or Bureau-funded schools. As a condition of participating in the PDP, participants and institutions are required to comply with the payback obligation rules and requirements outlined in the program regulations at 34 CFR § 263.1-12. The PDP was reauthorized in 2015 under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) which can be found on the Department of Education (ED) website for the Office of Indian Education (OIE) (https://www2.ed.gov/documents/essa-act-of-1965.pdf). The program regulations guide the service payback obligation tracking requirements, which places the burden on OIE for ensuring that participants comply with their service obligation. While OIE developed the following guidance document in response to questions frequently asked by grantees and participants, it does not cover all aspects of the regulations and should not be used alone.
For grants awarded in Fiscal Year 2025 and subsequent years, the regulations issued on February 18, 2025, implementing 34 CFR Part 263, Subpart A, are applicable. Please refer to the following Frequently Asked Questions for guidance under these regulations.
OIE PDPDCS Frequently Asked Questions FY2025
For grants awarded prior to FY 2025, use the links below:
OIE PDPDCS Frequently Asked Questions FY2018-FY2021
OIE PDPDCS Frequently Asked Questions FY2009-FY2017
