The Field Studies Program and student costs

← All Insights

1. A view of the country outside the classroom

Every international military student attending a formal course in the United States under security cooperation and related programs is offered the Field Studies Program (FSP) (SAMM C10.18.1). The Security Assistance Management Manual states its objective as giving a view of American society, institutions and goals outside the classroom. Discussion should cover human rights, diversity and American life, government institutions, political processes, the judicial system, the free market system, education, health and human services, the media, international peace and security, and the law of war. Implementing agencies (IAs) run the program, and its cost factors are built into course tuition.

The program applies to international students and military-sponsored visitors in the United States under the security cooperation training program (SAMM C10.18.2). Where appropriate, it also applies at Defense Department training installations overseas that perform security cooperation training. Students are offered it, but it is not mandatory unless it is part of the course program of instruction. Other rules for students on courses are covered in diplomas, records and liaison officers.

2. What the program does

IAs review all proposed activities against the program’s objectives, and refer questionable ones to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) for approval first (SAMM C10.18.3). Most activities should take place in the civilian community, using local civic groups, organizations, agencies, facilities and historical sites (SAMM C10.18.4). Entertainment and social events are not a major element, and social activities should mix American military personnel, civilian guests and students where possible (SAMM C10.18.6). Students on tours are in a duty status, with the living allowances of their training centers (SAMM C10.18.7).

Designated officer and senior enlisted students in specific courses are encouraged to make an official visit to Washington, D.C. (SAMM C10.18.5). A maximum of four days plus travel time is authorized, and each student may make the trip only once. If a student moves to another training location, the student office there checks that the trip has not already been made.

3. What tuition may pay for

Tuition rates must include the costs of running the program (FMR Vol. 15, Ch. 7, para. 22.9.1). The Financial Management Regulation (FMR) lists what may be included (FMR Vol. 15, Ch. 7, para. 22.9.2). It covers transportation by car, bus, rail or, for the Washington trip, air, and meals at rates limited to the Joint Travel Regulations. Lodging is based on double occupancy for students at O-6 or equivalent and below, with single rooms allowed for escorts and students at O-7 or above. Admissions, tours and their fees, appropriate gratuities and service charges such as tolls and parking are included.

Guests may attend program luncheons, dinners and receptions meant to bring students and Americans together (FMR Vol. 15, Ch. 7, para. 22.9.2.8). In gatherings of fewer than 30, the ratio of students to guests may not fall below 20 percent, and with 30 or more present, not below 50 percent. Mementos for sponsors, speakers and supporters may cost up to $25, adjusted annually (FMR Vol. 15, Ch. 7, para. 22.9.2.9). Distinctive medallions, plaques or ornaments are also allowed, one per student, to commemorate taking part in a particular program activity (FMR Vol. 15, Ch. 7, para. 22.9.2.10).

4. What it may not pay for

Program funds may not pay for alcoholic beverages or excess baggage (FMR Vol. 15, Ch. 7, para. 22.9.3). Trips that are an integral part of the curriculum belong in the course tuition instead. Recreational entertainment, such as sporting events, theatrical and musical productions and theme parks, is excluded. So are students’ personal costs for laundry, cleaning, telephone and room service. Authorized dependents may join selected activities if space allows, at no cost to the program, and must pay their own costs in advance. Local area travel is reimbursable under the Joint Travel Regulations (FMR Vol. 15, Ch. 7, para. 22.9.4.1). The Washington trip includes the escort officers’ costs (FMR Vol. 15, Ch. 7, para. 22.9.4.2).

5. Costs the student’s government pays

Some support costs are the foreign government’s responsibility and are not in the tuition rate (FMR Vol. 15, Ch. 7, para. 22.8.1). The invitational travel order sets out the support provided under the sales case. Meals are charged at rates the Comptroller sets each year for appropriated fund dining facilities (FMR Vol. 15, Ch. 7, para. 22.8.2). Medical care for students and dependents is charged under the manual’s procedures and, if on the offer, shown as a separate line (FMR Vol. 15, Ch. 7, para. 22.8.3).

Travel, living allowances and related costs are paid to the carrier or provider by the country or student (FMR Vol. 15, Ch. 7, para. 22.8.4). Any American service used, such as Air Mobility Command transport, is billed at the non-government rate, while the government rate applies for International Military Education and Training (IMET) or non-repayable Foreign Military Financing. Students may use family housing only once American students’ needs are met for the whole period, at a charge of at least the Defense Department’s operating and maintenance cost (FMR Vol. 15, Ch. 7, para. 22.8.5.1). In government quarters they pay at least the local custodial and non-appropriated fund fees (FMR Vol. 15, Ch. 7, para. 22.8.5.2). Where students occupy family housing that is not in excess of the services’ needs, the charge equals the cost of housing American personnel on the economy (FMR Vol. 15, Ch. 7, para. 22.8.5.1). For countries under a NATO standardization agreement or a reciprocal pricing agreement, lodging costs may be left out, except to the extent American service members in comparable accommodation are charged (FMR Vol. 15, Ch. 7, para. 22.8.5.3). Retainable instructional materials that need shipping have the shipment cost built into the tuition rate (FMR Vol. 15, Ch. 7, para. 22.10).

Key terms

Field Studies Program	The program giving international students a view of American society and institutions.
Duty status	The status of students on program tours, who keep their training center allowances.
Guest ratio	The minimum share of students at program social events with guests.
Non-government rate	The rate billed for American services used by a sales case student.
Invitational travel order	The order that sets out the support a student receives under the case.

Every statement above links to the document behind it. The full source list for this piece is on the sources page.

This page describes public United States government programs for general information. It is not legal, regulatory or procurement advice, and it does not address the facts of any particular case.

How Sentfore supports this

Student travel and lodging abroad raise their own practical needs. Sentfore works at the delivery end of defense programs in difficult environments, providing secure movement, protective security, facilities and life support. Requirements can be sent through the contact page.