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.
