Post Secondary Education SR 08-23, 10/08 (FAM-A)

Post secondary education is defined as a program of study beyond high school or its equivalent leading to an associate’s degree or higher. The activity can only be counted as a core activity for a lifetime maximum of 12 months. An extension beyond the limits may be granted for a maximum of 3 months if deemed necessary in order to provide for successful transition to employment. This extension is counted as a secondary activity.

Participant Referral Criteria

The NHEP Team Member must consider the following specific referral criteria in addition to the general referral criteria in Section 808.25, Referrals to Other Activities, in order to refer to the post secondary educational activity:

• the individual’s immediate marketability of current skills, experience and education;

• the individual’s ability to achieve self-sufficiency without a post secondary educational program;

• the individual’s ability to successfully complete a post secondary educational program;

• the individual’s ability to access support services needed to participate in a post secondary educational program, such as child care and transportation; and

• job opportunities are currently available in the local labor market in the field of the post secondary educational program.

Activity Requirement

The post secondary educational program must meet the following criteria:

• be consistent with employment goals as defined on the EP;

• have a reasonable expectation that the degree will result in the individual obtaining employment; and

• be vocationally specific in a recognized occupational area.

Distance learning is a permissible method of instruction when prior approval is authorized by DFA State Office.

Participation Requirements

To determine actual hours of weekly participation, count:

• the actual hours spent in the classroom;

• total study time (both supervised and unsupervised) that does not exceed the maximum recommended by the institution; and *

• one hour of unsupervised study time for every hour of classroom time.

If the individual is not meeting minimum participation requirements in the post-secondary education activity, enroll the individual in an additional NHEP activity.

The hours of participation, between the minimum and maximum, should be based on what is necessary for the participant to achieve self-sufficiency, and not on the minimum hours set by federal law. When appropriate to support employment goals and self-sufficiency, other activities may be combined with the vocational skills activity.

Documentation and Verification

These activities shall be supervised no less frequently than daily. The countable hours shall be verified and documented bi-weekly on Form NHEP266, NHEP Education/Training Activities Verification Form, or other verifications approved by NHEP, to be signed by the education organization and returned to the worker. This documentation ensures that the organization verifies that the participant is attending in accordance with the requirements of the education organization and/or the course of study and that they are making satisfactory progress.

Time Limits

All approved post-secondary studies that lead to a Post-Secondary degree count as a:

• core activity for a maximum lifetime limit of 12 months; or

• secondary activity for a maximum of 3 months if;

- the 12 month lifetime limit has been exhausted;

- completion of the degree or certificate program does not exceed an additional 3 months; and

- completion of the program is essential for the participant’s transition into employment.

Exception: The time limit specified above for degree programs does not apply to individuals with a documented learning disability verified by a state certified educational professional or licensed psychologist. For extension of participation time, the documentation must specify the need and length of time required.

Support Services

The following support services may be authorized for this activity:

• child care assistance; and

• transportation assistance (payment to enrolled public/private carriers, mileage and auto repair reimbursement).

Previous Educational Degrees

When determining the need for additional post secondary educational programs for individuals with a previous certificate, diploma, degree, or previous post secondary educational credits, the NHEP Team Member shall consider the following:

• significant labor market changes affecting the occupation in which education or training has been previously received;

• the person no longer possesses the needed abilities to perform the job functions of the educational or training program received due to a documented disability; or

• that the NHEP participant’s previous educational or training program may have been interrupted due to a major personal emergency, which caused the participant to drop out, and is now resolved.