DHS-DRS shall assist with financial contribution toward
graduate school only when the graduate degree is required to achieve the
customer's employment outcome. The necessity of the graduate degree is to be
determined by the counselor and the customer based on knowledge of the
occupational choice and labor market information. The customer shall provide
proof of acceptance into the specific graduate program that is required for the
customer's employment outcome. Customers accepted as a student-at-large do not
qualify for DHS-DRS financial contribution.
a) Customers attending graduate school must
financially contribute toward their training costs. A customer's financial
contribution toward training costs is 10% of published tuition and fees in
addition to any financial participation that is determined during the
customer's financial analysis (see 89 Ill. Adm. Code
562). Customers receiving
SSI or SSDI are exempt from the 10% requirement.
b) For customers attending an Illinois public
university graduate program, DHS-DRS will provide financial contribution up to
the published in-state tuition costs less the 10% fee requirement, less
comparable benefits (see 89 Ill. Adm. Code
567.20) and less any customer
financial participation (see 89 Ill. Adm. Code
562.30).
c) For customers attending a private or
out-of-state graduate program, DHS-DRS will annually establish a maximum
financial contribution for tuition and fees. DHS-DRS will provide financial
contribution up to the maximum amount less the 10% fee requirement, less
comparable benefits and less any customer financial participation.
d) In accordance with 89 Ill. Adm. Code
567.20(b), the
customer must provide proof of award or denial of financial assistance and the
amount of any award. This includes any comparable benefits related to training
that reduce the cost associated with training of tuition and fees. This
information must be provided prior to implementation of the IPE or subsequent
amendments.
e) Exceptions to the
10% financial participation requirement and the course completion requirement
financial contribution for graduate school training may be granted by the
appropriate Bureau Chief if there are extenuating circumstances relating to the
customer's disability.
