460 IAC 14.1-18-2 Amount of financial assistance for postsecondary training costs

Sec. 2. (a) A participant not pursuing an associate, a bachelor's, or a graduate degree may receive financial assistance with the lesser of: (1) the published postsecondary training costs at the postsecondary training institution where the participant is enrolled; or (2) the published postsecondary training costs at the least costly institution providing the training necessary to achieve the employment outcome listed on their individualized plan for employment; minus any available comparable benefits or services, scholarships, or grants. (b) A participant pursuing an associate, a bachelor's, or a graduate degree may receive financial assistance in an amount not exceeding the lesser of: (1) the published postsecondary training costs at the postsecondary training institution where the participant is enrolled; or (2) the financial assistance limits for postsecondary training services established by the VR program, based on the cost for residents of Indiana to attend a public postsecondary training institution full time; minus the participant's available financial resources. (c) A participant described in subsection (b) may receive financial assistance with: (1) books, tools, and other training materials listed as required in a postsecondary training institution's published course syllabus or similar written documentation in an amount not exceeding the financial assistance limits established by the VR program for books, tools, and other training materials; and (2) room and board, in an amount not exceeding the lesser of the rates for room and board established by the postsecondary training institution attended or the financial assistance limits established by the VR program for room and board, if: (A) they are receiving postsecondary training services; and (B) there is no postsecondary training program or institution offering the minimum education, degree, or training required to achieve the employment outcome on their individualized plan for employment within commuting distance, unless an exception is granted in writing under section 1 of this rule. (d) A participant described in subsection (b) shall have their available financial resources considered when the VR program determines the amount of postsecondary training services they may receive. A participant's available financial resources are the participant's comparable services and benefits, scholarships, grants, and financial aid. (e) A participant is responsible for expenses exceeding the financial assistance provided by the VR program. (f) A participant is not required to apply for or accept student loans or accept work study student aid as a condition for receiving assistance with postsecondary training services, nor will they reduce VR financial assistance for postsecondary training under this rule. (g) A participant is not required to apply for or accept merit scholarships. If a participant accepts a merit scholarship that reduces the amount owed for postsecondary training costs supported by VR, it may reduce the amount of assistance provided by the VR program. (h) If a participant or their postsecondary training institution receives an overpayment due to providing postsecondary training services, the participant's financial assistance for the next academic term is reduced by the amount of the overpayment.