Eligibility for School Building Aid

School Building Aid is available to reimburse school districts for the cost of purchase, construction and/or substantial renovation of school buildings and SAU offices. "Construction" includes site acquisition and development, planning and construction, or both, of new buildings and additions to existing buildings, substantial renovations, architectural and engineering fees and necessary equipment for the completion of the building, as approved by the Commissioner of Education. "Purchase" includes the acquisition and improvement of land in connection therewith and the remodeling, altering, repairing, equipping and furnishing of such buildings.

SAU office reimbursements are at the rate of 40% regardless of district or location. School building costs are reimbursed school districts from 30% to 60% depending on the district. Reimbursement rates are published in October.

Applying for School Building Aid

There are two major milestones in the approval process

Preliminary Approval, based on plans and estimates which establishes eligibility for School Building Aid and serves as notification that the project is constructed according to the plans and estimates that School Building aid will be forthcoming; and Final Approval, based on the exact costs of the project when it is completed and which establishes the amount of School Building Aid to be paid.

The first step in the application process is to write a letter to:

Administrator
Office of School Building Aid
NH Department of Education
101 Pleasant Street
Concord, NH 03301-3860

Provide a brief narrative description of the project to include

• School Name (include grade levels)
• Location
• Nature of the project (i.e., 4 classroom addition; new middle school for 500 students, etc.)
• Approximate cost
• How and When the money is expected to be raised
• Planned date of construction and date of completion

This letter will initiate an active file in the Office of School Building Aid. Preliminary Application materials can be submitted along with this letter. (School Buildings Forms).

The preliminary application must be approved before construction work begins. Districts are encouraged to submit preliminary applications prior to their annual district meetings.