Code of Massachusetts Regulations
111 CMR - MASSACHUSETTS COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND
Title 111 CMR 6.00 - Vocational Rehabilitation Services College Training Services
Section 6.04 - Consumer Responsibility

(1) A consumer maybe required by the counselor to undergo suitable intelligence scale, aptitude, or interest tests or other appropriate evaluation prior to the formulation of the IWRP. This may include consultation with college advisory personnel.

(2) A consumer may be required by the counselor to submit a completed Statement of Vocational Objective, which is attached and incorporated by reference into 111 CMR 6.00, prior to the formulation of the IWRP.

(3) A consumer may be required by the counselor to provide other materials necessary for the development of an IWRP for the provision of college training services such as school transcripts.

(4) Each consumer interested in undergraduate training must apply for a Massachusetts State Scholarship, a Pell Grant, and at least one scholarship or grant from each of the colleges to which the consumer is making application for admission. A consumer may be required to give the counselor a letter from each of the above sources indicating the results of the grant/scholarship application. A consumer may also be required to apply for and participate in a work-study program.

(5) Each consumer interested in advanced degree training must apply for at least two scholar-ships and/or grants. A consumer maybe required to give the counselor a letter from each source to which the consumer applied, indicating the results of the application. A consumer may also be required to apply for and participate in a work-study and/or teaching assistant program.

(6) Each consumer must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually, no later than April 15th, with a request that a copy of the FAFSA and the analysis be sent to the Commission, the colleges to which applications are being made, the Massachusetts State Scholarship Program, and Pell Grant Program. The Regional Director may grant a waiver for the deadline of April 15th if the Regional Director finds that circumstances beyond the consumer's control prevented the consumer from meeting this deadline. Waivers, and the reasons for granting them, must be documented in the consumer's file. No such waiver will be granted if the Commission has not received a copy of the FAFSA at least 15 days before the college training services are to commence. If such a waiver of the deadline of April 15 is granted, the Commission cannot guarantee that the necessary procedures for authorization will be completed before the consumer is scheduled to begin college training.

(7) A consumer must notify the counselor in writing of his/her wish to develop an approved IWRP toward college training services no later than February 1st of the calendar year in which the training is to commence after that date. This requirement will be waived by the Regional Director if the Regional Director finds that circumstances beyond the consumer's control prevented the consumer from meeting this deadline of February 1st.

(8) Consumers who are receiving college training services will be required to submit to the counselor copies of all grade reports issued by the college within two weeks of the consumer's receipt of those grades.

(9) A consumer receiving college training services is responsible for keeping the counselor advised regarding progress, problems, or any circumstances which might interfere with the completion of the IWRP.

(10) A consumer receiving college training services may not change the course of study specified in the IWRP unless there is an amendment to the IWRP agreed upon with the counselor and approved by the counselor's supervisor and the Regional Director in advance of the change. Any amendments must be signed by the counselor, consumer and Regional Director.