The OSSE-DOT transportation stipend application will close on September 20th at 11:59. The language below is from the OSSE-DOT application page, available here –https://data.osse.dc.gov/dot-parent-stipend/.
“The application submission period for the Monthly Parent Stipend Program for school year 2024-25 ends at 11:59 pm, on September 20, 2024. Parents who have been approved to participate will receive an email to advise of the self-transportation start date and other helpful information.”
OSSE has updated the FAQs to reflect the policy change announced last month, ending the prohibition on more than one student in a household participating in the stipend program.
From the new FAQs –
Can a parent/guardian receive more than one stipend if they have multiple eligible students in the household?
Yes. The parent/guardian can opt to self-transport more than one student. Upon application approval, the parent will receive a stipend for each approved student.
The application is available here – https://data.osse.dc.gov/dot-parent-stipend/ and the FAQs can be accessed here – https://data.osse.dc.gov/dot-parent-stipend/assets/docs/ParentStipendProgramDetails.pdf.
New Participants Parents/guardians who are interested in participating must complete a registration form and submit the required documents to enroll in the program. Once enrollment is complete, families will receive a confirmation email that will advise of approval for participation in the program, the self-transportation start date, and when payments can be expected.
Existing Participants – Action is REQUIRED to continue to continue to access the program. Failure to follow the steps below WILL result in the stipend ENDING for the 2024/25 school year.
Parents/guardians who previously participated in the program and wish to continue must follow these steps to stay in the stipend program
- log into their existing application
- review the previously submitted information and
- enter any updates if needed (i.e., address change, add or remove a student, etc.)
- Once this is completed, parents/guardians must submit the updated application to enroll for 2024-25 school year.
Parents/guardians who do not wish to continue in the program do not need to do anything but need to confirm that the local education agency (LEA) has submitted a transportation request form for the student. If no transportation request form has been submitted, OSSE-DOT will NOT provide transportation with a transportation requestion form and they require 10 day to process and route a transportation request form.
More information about the stipend is available here – https://osse.dc.gov/service/parents-transportation-students-disabilities (English, Amharic and Spanish versions available at that link) and at the links below. The application itself (https://data.osse.dc.gov/dot-parent-stipend/) is available in additional languages.
ParentStipendRequiredDocuments
https://data.osse.dc.gov/dot-parent-stipend/assets/docs/ParentStipendProgramDetails.pdf.(New FAQs)
AJE learned some lessons helping families the last time the window was open in February. We hope they are helpful!
- The application is NOT mobile-friendly. Try to apply on a computer.
- Chrome seems to be the best browser to use.
- OSSE-DOT does not have a phone number for families to call for help and the Parent Resource Center (PRC) was unable to help families with applications last time, and it is unclear to us if they are able to help families apply this time.
- However, for issues with receiving your payment or completing any of the required forms, please email osse.financedot@dc.gov for help.
We also recorded a short video chat for families about the stipend – we hope it helps you think about if you want to apply!
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS VIDEO DOES NOT REFLECT THE RECENT CHANGES DISCUSSED ABOVE – SPECIFICALLY, OSSE will now allow families to apply for more than one child in the household.
You can also access the video here – https://youtu.be/XPpWwlHtd64?si=l0Pn38V2cziXyaPE
Again, please note that this video does not reflect the recent changes to the program, specifically that OSSE will now allow families to apply for more than one child in the household.
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