Scope of College Training Services

(1) College training services shall only be provided when: (a) such services are necessary to enable a consumer to reach a specific vocational outcome which has been determined to be suitable by both the consumer and the counselor and which have been identified in an individualized written rehabilitation plan (IWRP); and (b) the IWRP specifies the nature, purpose, and durationofthe services as well as the terms and conditions for the services; and (c) the IWRP has been approved by the consumer, the counselor, the counselor's supervisor and the Regional Director. (2) College Training Services leading to a baccalaureate degree will be limited to four academic years unless one of the following circumstances applies: (a) A consumer is pursuing a plan under an approved IWRP which normally requires five years of undergraduate training leading to one specialized undergraduate degree. In such cases, the consumer may be provided five years of full-time undergraduate training. (b) A consumer is pursuing a plan under an approved IWRP which involves a cooperative plan of education. In such cases, the consumer may be provided five years of full-time undergraduate training. (c) A consumer who is unable to undertake the usual full-time course of study due to the functional limitations of a disability or due to acute illness, may be allowed to attend college part-time and may be allowed an extension of time of a specified duration. Such an exception must be approved by the Regional Director, and the reasons for the exception documented in the consumer's file. Example: A consumer has to have surgery and will be unable to study full-time for six months while she is recuperating. Acute illnesses are generally of relatively short duration. Another consumer, who is deaf/blind, is unable to study full-time, because the severity of his disabilities substantially slows his ability to process information. This may continue for the duration of his studies. In general, part-time study should be the exception, allowed for the shortest time reasonable and the basis for the exception should be well documented. (d) A consumer who is eligible for vocational rehabilitation services because s/he is seriously underemployed and is unable to undertake the usual full-time course of study because s/he is employed on a full-time basis, may be allowed to attend college part-time and may be allowed an extension of time of a specified duration. Such an exception must be approved by the Commissioner or his/her designee, and the reasons for the exception must be documented in the consumer's file. (e) A consumer whose potential ability to undertake a baccalaureate degree program is undetermined, may be allowed to take a maximum of two courses per semester ona part- time trial basis for no more than one academic year under an IWRP approved by the counselor, the counselor's supervisor and the Regional Director. The reasons for the exception must be documented in the consumer's file. (3) Full-time graduate training services leading to an advanced degree may be provided when such a degree is necessary for the consumer to achieve the goal established under the consumer's IWRP. Services will be provided only as far as needed to achieve the minimum advanced degree needed to enter the field (e.g. JD, MD). Maximum years covered will be the norm for the program (e.g. three for a JD, four for an MD) up to a maximum of four years. A one year extension may be granted by the Commissioner or his/her designee, under extraordinary circumstances, which must be documented in the consumer's file. 6.03: continued (4) A consumer who is eligible for vocational rehabilitation services because s/he is seriously underemployed and who is unable to undertake the usual full-time course of study leading to an advanced degree because s/he is employed on a full-time basis may be allowed to attend part- time and may be granted an extension of time for a specified duration. Such an exception mustby approved by the Commissioner, or his/her designee, and the reasons for the exception documented in the consumer's file. (5) The Commission will not provide college training services to any person who has previously been awarded any advanced degree, unless the advanced degree was awarded before the onset of a new disabling condition or a severe exacerbation of the previously existing disability, and the degree is only useful in an occupation which the person cannot pursue because of the functional limitation of her/his new or exacerbated disability. (6) The maximum payment the Commission may contribute for a consumer toward college training during any academic year may not exceedthe total amount charged to Massachusetts residents for two semesters of tuition and mandatory fees at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, prorated for part-time students. (7) College training services may be provided at institutions outside Massachusetts, if approved in the IWRP. Transportation back to a Massachusetts residence for the holidays will be limited to two round trip tickets per year at the lowest reasonable cost.