Postsecondary training services must be provided only when necessary for an individual with a disability to prepare for, secure, retain, advance in, or regain competitive integrated that is consistent with the individual’s strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice.
When providing postsecondary training services under an employment plan, Vocational Rehabilitation Services will provide funding only when it is necessary to the achievement of the vocational goal stated in a person's Employment Plan; that is, the individual cannot access competitive integrated employment which is compatible with his/her abilities and disabilities without participating in postsecondary training.
The agency will only fund training at schools and/or programs that are licensed, registered or exempted from licensing or registration requirements by, as appropriate the:
- Minnesota Office of Higher Education;
- Minnesota Board of Barbers and Cosmetology Examiners;
- Minnesota Department of Public Safety;
- Minnesota Department of Transportation;
- Minnesota Department of Health
- Minnesota Department of Commerce; or
- If the person is attending a postsecondary training program not in Minnesota, an equivalent agency in the state where the school is located.
On an annual basis, there must be a search for comparable benefits unless it is clear that the individual will not be eligible for them or the search would unreasonably interrupt or delay:
- The progress of an eligible person toward achieving the employment outcome identified in the Employment Plan, or
- An immediate job placement.
- The provision of vocational rehabilitation services to any individual who is determined to be at extreme medical risk, based on medical evidence provided by an appropriate qualified medical professional.
A comparable benefits search is not required for assessment activity.
If it is known that comparable benefits exist but are not available at the time needed to ensure the timely progress of the individual toward achieving an employment outcome, the agency must provide services until those comparable benefits become available.
The agency must not purchase a service when the person refuses or fails to make formal application for a comparable benefit to pay all or part of the cost of the service, or when the individual refuses to accept a comparable benefit that is available to the person.
Consumer Financial Participation (CFP) applies to postsecondary training services unless postsecondary is being used as an assessment.
The Vocational Rehabilitation Services contribution for tuition and required fees will be determined in accordance with a fee schedule specified in the Vocational Rehabilitation Rule and adjusted annually, taking into account any applicable comparable benefits and/or CFP. In calculating the Vocational Rehabilitation Services contribution towards the costs of tuition and required fees, and books, supplies, tools and equipment for training purposes, Vocational Rehabilitation Services will consider only those costs that are required of all students in the program. All calculations of Vocational Rehabilitation Services contribution will be made using the financial aid year of the training institution attended by the person. The use of the postsecondary calculation worksheet in WF1 is required.
The tuition fee schedule for an eligible individual enrolled in a postsecondary training program less than full time must be prorated in accordance with the specific program standards for full-time or part-time status. The tuition fee schedule for undergraduate programs does not apply when there is no Minnesota public institution that offers course work in the broad field of study necessary for the individual’s vocational goal.
When the amount of gift aid or institutional aid equals or exceeds the cost of tuition and mandatory fees, the agency shall not pay any of the costs of tuition and mandatory fees.
Comparable benefits that are in excess of the amount needed by the individual for tuition and required fees will be applied towards the cost of required books, supplies, tools, and equipment, transportation and maintenance. Payments for books, supplies, tools, and equipment will be made at actual cost subject to CFP and a comparable benefit search.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services will not pay for postsecondary training to the extent that to do so would cause comparable benefits (non-merit based grants and scholarships and institutional aid that does not have to be repaid) to be reduced. The decision about whether or not to accept self-help aid (work study and loans) offered by the school rests with the individual. Vocational Rehabilitation Services does not require a person to take out a student loan as a condition for receiving postsecondary training. If Vocational Rehabilitation Services assistance results in a reduction in the amount of self-help aid a school is willing to give the student, the individual may decide whether to take the self-help aid or the Vocational Rehabilitation Services assistance.
Before Vocational Rehabilitation Services will provide funding for postsecondary training, the person must sign an Employment Plan which includes the Responsibilities for Postsecondary Education. The Responsibilities for Postsecondary Educaion must be reviewed with the individual on an annual basis.
The person must provide Vocational Rehabilitation Services with a copy of the financial aid award letter, and a copy of the fee statement or other documents showing the costs of tuition and required fees, and of required books and supplies.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services does not fund any student who is in default on a student loan or who has an outstanding Pell Grant repayment until Vocational Rehabilitation Services staff determines that a responsible repayment effort has been made. Payments of a reasonable amount for six consecutive months will be considered a responsible repayment effort.
Through appropriate modes of communication, each applicant and recipient of VR services must be given the information necessary to make informed choices. Individuals who need assistance in exercising informed choice must be made aware that support services are available.
As appropriate, services can be obtained from either an in-state or out-of-state provider. If a person chooses an out-of-state provider at a higher cost than an in-state provider, if either provider would meet the individual’s rehabilitation needs, Vocational Rehabilitation Services is not responsible for those costs in excess of the cost of the in-state service.
Exceptions to the postsecondary training policies may be requested from the Director of Vocational Rehabilitation Services or a designee when there are unique rehabilitation needs that cannot be met.
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Effective July 1, 2023, all Consumer Financial Participation (CFP) Policies are temporarily rescinded until further notice. The strikethrough in the text above is intentional due to the temporary nature of the CFP Policy lift.