Official Site of The State of New Jersey

Perkins V funds must be used to support career and technical education (CTE) activities that:

1. Align with your Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment (CLNA). 
2. Address required and permissible uses of funds outlined in Sec. 135 of the Act.
3. Meet cost principles in the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200).

Allowable Costs

Allowable costs directly support and improve CTE programs and are:

• Reasonable – Priced fairly based on market conditions.
• Allocable – Directly related to and benefiting your Perkins-funded CTE program(s).
• Allowable – Clearly needed to achieve CTE objectives in your approved Local Application.
• Documented – Supported by invoices, purchase orders, and CLNA alignment.

All costs must be connected to an allowable Use of Funds as outlined in Section 113 of Perkins V legislation.

Examples of Allowable Costs (if tied to your CLNA and Local Plan and consistent with Section 135 of Perkins V legislation).

• Program Improvement and Expansion
  • New or upgraded equipment or supplies for hands-on training in approved CTE programs.
  • Upgrades to CTE instructional technology and software.
•  Instructional Support
  • Industry-recognized technical assessment fees for CTE students.
  • Curriculum development aligned with labor market or postsecondary needs.
• Professional Development
  • Travel and registration for CTE-specific conferences, workshops, or training courses.
  • Substitute pay for CTE faculty attending approved training.
• Special Populations Support
  • Adaptive equipment or assistive technology for students with disabilities in CTE programs above and beyond what is already provided.
  • Tutoring or supplemental instruction for non-traditional or special population students in CTE.
• Work-Based Learning (WBL)
  • Paying for a WBL stipend or an extra duty contract to establish internships, apprenticeships, or clinical placements in CTE.
  • Training for WBL coordinator.
  • Career Development CTE-focused career counseling software or materials.
  • Middle school or pre-enrollment activities.
• CTSOs 
  • Institutional affiliations.
  • Transportation to CTSO events.
  • Stipends for CTSO advisors – outside contracted hours

Unallowable Costs

Unallowable costs are not directly tied to CTE program improvement or are prohibited by law/regulation.

Examples of Unallowable Costs

• General or Institutional Costs
  • Office furniture, routine supplies, or maintenance for non-CTE areas.
  • Building construction or permanent facility renovations.
  • Non-CTE Activities
  • Equipment or materials for academic programs not approved as CTE.
  • Non-CTE student activities, clubs, or competitions.
• Supplanting
  • Paying salaries or benefits for positions already funded with non-federal funds. 
• Entertainment and Gifts
  • Food, except for supplies for culinary-related programs.
  • Gifts, awards, or promotional items not tied to CTE instruction (consult EDGAR 200. 421 as there is a more limited application to allowed and disallowed costs).
• General Marketing
  • Broad advertising not specifically tied to CTE program recruitment or outreach.
• Travel
  • Student out-of-state travel.
  • Travel unrelated to CTE program objectives.
  • Student in-state travel expenses except transportation.
• Admin Costs Beyond Approved Rate
• Salaries not related to career and technical education or salaries for positions required for typical operation.
• Administrative costs in excess of 5% of the total expended amount of the award. Section 135(d).

Before including a cost in your Perkins budget, ask:

1. Is it clearly tied to CTE program improvement or expansion?
2. Does it assist in improving performance or supporting a Perkins-funded strategy?
3. Does it address a gap or priority identified in the CLNA?
4. Is it reasonable, allocable and allowable to Perkins purposes?
5. Is it documented in the Local Application?
6. Is it free from supplanting concerns?

If you answer “no” to any of these, the cost is likely unallowable.

Supplanting has occurred when the school district or community college:

• Was required to make the item available under other federal, state or local law, or
• Purchased the same or similar item(s) or service(s) with non-federal funds in the prior year.

School districts and community colleges may not exclude CTE students, programs, courses or classrooms from purchases of the same or similar item(s) and service(s) purchased for non-CTE students, programs, courses or classrooms.

In some instances, it is recommended that grantees consult with their county specialist prior to putting items in the budget.

Examples of Items for Consultation:

•  Staff and student travel for CTSOs.
• CTSO supplies.
• New salaries.
• Student tuition payments.
• New and emerging technologies.
• Equipment considered a kit, platform or package.
• Transportation to WBL opportunities.

Maria Casale, Postsecondary Lead