Current through Register Vol. 6, March 22, 2024
(1) The department
will allow a maximum of 25 TANF recipients to continue postsecondary education
activities under the Parents as Scholars Program (PAS).
(2) Twenty-five slots will be available
statewide. Slots will be awarded through an application process and regional
lottery as described in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
policy manual, section 701-3(a). Once a slot has been awarded to a participant,
the participant will be entitled to retain the slot as long as the participant
continues to meet the PAS requirements outlined in (3).
(3) A TANF recipient is eligible to
participate in PAS if the recipient:
(a)
meets all basic eligibility requirements for TANF;
(b) is a full-time post secondary education
student enrolled in an approved education program at least 12 credit hours each
semester or 30 credit hours per year, or is a full-time high school student,
General Equivalency Diploma (GED) student, or vocational training student as
defined by the institution in which the participant is enrolled;
(c) is in an approved program whose course
work will lead to a degree or certificate;
(d) does not have a baccalaureate degree or a
certification in a field for which a degree or certificate was previously
awarded;
(e) is enrolled full time
in an approved educational program in a unit of the Montana university system
as provided in
20-25-201,
MCA, or any other accredited college in Montana, or enrolled online with an
accredited college whose credits are transferable in their entirety to an
approved educational program in Montana, or is enrolled in an accredited high
school or training program approved by the department by rule;
(f) maintains a cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a
4.0 scale and provides verification of current GPA at the end of each semester
as well as verification of registration for classes for the next semester with
a minimum of 12 credits or is making satisfactory progress in accordance with
the requirements of the institution the participant is attending;
(g) has developed a comprehensive plan for
the completion of the course of study and the attainment of a degree or
certificate, regardless of the number of months remaining on the individual's
TANF time clock;
(h) has
successfully completed 12 months of Short Term Training while on TANF and is in
good standing with the educational program, unless enrolled as a full-time
student in high school or a GED program; and
(i) maintains monthly face-to-face contact
with the WoRC case manager and school counselor throughout the PAS
participation period to ensure ongoing case management, compliance with FIA/EP
requirements and satisfactory progress in educational activities outlined in
the comprehensive plan.
53-4-209,
53-4-212,
MCA; IMP,
53-4-209,
53-4-211,
53-4-601,
MCA;