Section 590.250  Graduate School Training

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.

(Source:  Amended at 36 Ill. Reg. 6598, effective April 13, 2012)