Cadet Lift & Take-Off Program (TOP) Instructions

Notification Status: 2026 Notifications for Summer Activities are projected to go out on or about March 2, 2026

LIFT / TOP Awardee Instructions and Information

Follow directions in your "Congratulations 2026 Cadet Lift/TOP Notification & Instructions" email received from NHQ Cadet Programs. In the e-mail you will find instructions with important deadlines where you will accept or decline travel assistance and how to decline your participation if needed.
DO NOT PAY YOUR TUITION: If you have been notified that you will receive a LIFT/TOP award, please do not pay your tuition. We will pay the activity fee for you.
Lift/Top recipients are responsible for booking their own travel arrangements. This provides families with more flexibility and control over departure and arrival times and preferred methods of transportation. This change eliminates a travel service cost and allows us to provide more cadets with travel assistance support.
Important: Confirm your travel plans with your Activity Staff prior to booking.

Download the Lift/Top Travel Reimbursement Policy Document PDF here

Important Information - Cadet Lift or Take-off Program (TOP) Cadet Travel Reimbursement Rules

Commercial Air Travel Reimbursement Rules

Non-refundable, main cabin, basic economy ticket
Lowest cost round trip ticket with reasonable travel times reimbursable up to $400
Travel dates must align with the Activity attending
Purchase ticket no later than May 15, 2026
Must fly into an airport authorized by the Activity
Up to the $400 total reimbursement limit
Ages 18+ travelers must be REAL ID compliant

The following are not reimbursable expenses:

Seat assignments or seat upgrades
Baggage fees
Tickets purchased with awards, points and/or miles
Travel insurance
Real ID compliance
Airport parking

Receipt Requirements for Commercial Air Travel must include:

The name of the traveler
Itinerary of travel that includes dates and times, arrival and departure airports and fare class or description
Date of purchase

Ground Travel Reimbursement Rules

You may opt to travel by car instead of air. We will reimburse mileage and tolls up to $400 for those who live outside the local area (50 miles).

Mileage Calculation: Include a Google Maps or similar map showing the distance from your point of departure to the activity location and back. This map will be used to calculate your reimbursement.

You may also travel by train or bus if the activity staff has indicated they will provide pick-up from those terminals.

Receipt Requirements for Train/Bus Travel:
For train or bus tickets, receipts must include:

Purchase date
Traveler's name
Travel itinerary, including dates, times, and departure/arrival locations
Fare class or ticket description
Total paid amount with a breakdown of fees

If you drive less than 50 miles to the Activity, your travel is not reimbursable.

General Travel Reimbursement Rules

If you fail to travel, you will not be reimbursed
If you fail to attend or graduate from the activity, you will not be reimbursed
Airport, train station and bus station locations must be authorized by the Activity

Reimbursement Instructions

After purchasing your travel, download the following documents:
NOTE: For best results, save these files on your computer and fill them out using Adobe Reader.

Then

Complete the forms.
Scan in your receipts.
Merge all documents into a single PDF.
Label that file name as LastName_CAPID_Lift-Top Travel Reimbursement.
Email the merged PDF to ncsafinance@capnhq.gov with the subject line: LastName_CAPID_Lift-Top Travel Reimbursement.

The deadline to submit this information is May 16, 2026. Late requests will not be accommodated.

Once you attend the activity and NCSA credit is recorded in eServices, your reimbursement will be submitted for processing.

FAQs

How do I book air travel?

You may book directly with an airline or with a third-party vendor. However, third party vendor booking fees will not be reimbursed.

Which airports can I use?

Please see your Activity website and/or Welcome Letter from the Activity Director that details which airport(s) are eligible.

Can I use miles, points or awards for my airplane ticket and still get reimbursed?

Tickets using miles, points or awards will not be reimbursed.

What if my travel costs are more than $400

CAP will reimburse eligible travel expenses up to $400. Any remaining costs are your responsibility.

What do I need to submit to get reimbursed?

Completed Activity Reimbursement and Direct Deposit Forms (linked above).
Travel receipts will all required information
If applicable, Google Map
All required items need to be merged into a single PDF and emailed to ncsafinance@capnhq.gov

What is my deadline to submit for reimbursement?

Submit your materials by May 16, 2026.
As soon as the activity ends and NCSA credit is reflected in eServices, the reimbursement will be processed.

What if I have questions about travel reimbursement?

Email the NCSA Finance Team