Current through all regulations passed and filed through September 16, 2024
(A) Definitions
(1) "Four-year college" or "four-year
university training" means a full-time or parttime academic training leading to
a baccalaureate degree, a certificate, or other recognized educational
credential approved by OOD. Such training may be provided by a four-year
college or university or technical college.
(2) "Graduate college" or "graduate
university training" means a full-time or part-time academic training leading
to a degree recognized as beyond a baccalaureate degree, such as a master of
science, master of arts, doctor of philosophy, or doctor of jurisprudence. Such
training would be provided by a college or university.
(3) "Junior college training" or "community
college training" or "two-year school training" means a full-time or part-time
academic training above the secondary school level leading to an
associate degree, a certificate, or other recognized
educational credential approved by OOD. Such two-year training may be provided
by a community college, junior college, or technical college.
(4) "Occupational training" or "vocational
training" or "job skill training" means training provided by a community
college, vocational, trade or technical school, or business that prepares
students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation, not leading to an
academic degree. This would include selected courses or programs of study at a
community college, four-year college or university, technical college or
proprietary school, or training program.
(B) For the purposes of this rule,
postsecondary training includes graduate college
or graduate university training; four-year college or four-year university
training; junior college or community college training; occupational training
or vocational training. The requirements of paragraphs (C) to (I) of this rule
shall be satisfied prior to OOD purchasing any training. Services provided
pursuant to rule
3304-2-52 of the Administrative
Code and the vocational rehabilitation fee schedule are not subject to these
requirements.
(C) OOD supports the
cost of postsecondary programs when the
training is required for the individual to reach the employment outcome as
identified on the approved individualized plan for employment.
(D) OOD may provide
postsecondary supplies and
equipment when required by the postsecondary
training program, or when needed by the individual with a disability to meet
their disability, academic, and rehabilitation needs. All monies received from
a refund or sale of training supplies or equipment shall be returned to
OOD.
(E) The determination of least
cost for the purpose of postsecondary training shall
be based on the cost to attend any Ohio public educational institution in
accordance with rule
3304-2-52 of the Administrative
Code, if the coursework needed is offered and can meet the individual with a
disability's disability, academic, and vocational rehabilitation
needs.
(F) Educational expenses for
postsecondary training programs that are eligible for
federal financial aid shall be authorized based on financial need.
(1) The individual with a disability shall
apply for financial aid by completing and submitting the free application for
federal student aid (FAFSA) when the school participates in federal student aid
programs.
(2) The individual with a
disability shall submit a copy of the FAFSA submission summary or
equivalent submission documents to OOD for each academic year for which
OOD is authorizing for postsecondary training. The
student aid index (SAI) or equivalent financial index
listed on the FAFSA submission summary shall be used in calculating
OOD's potential financial contribution.
(3) Individuals with a disability who receive
supplemental security income (SSI) or social security disability insurance
(SSDI), are excluded from the financial needs requirements in paragraph (F)(2)
of this rule for postsecondary training
programs.
(4) The OOD contribution
to postsecondary training program expenses shall be
computed by subtracting the following from the cost of educational expenses:
the combined total of all grant monies, comparable benefits, and the
SAI to be
paid by the individual with a disability. Scholarships
may be
used by the individual with a disability to meet the SAI. The
individual with a disability shall disclose to OOD all known scholarships
prior to
OOD's contribution determination. OOD's contribution to educational expenses
shall be reduced by the amount of scholarships that exceed the SAI. OOD and the
individual shall engage in maximum efforts to secure financial
assistance in whole or in part from other sources to pay for that
training.
(G) To
continue receiving OOD support, an individual with a disability shall
demonstrate satisfactory progress in the training program.
(1) Students attending
postsecondary training programs participating in the
federal financial aid program shall maintain satisfactory progress as required
by paragraph (H) of this rule. Students shall have a maximum of eighteen
consecutive months to complete each academic year of college training as
defined by the degree program. Part-time attendance may be granted when there
is a disability related need or a lack of course availability. For part-time
attendance, an individual shall have a maximum of twenty-four months to
complete each academic year of college training as defined by the degree
program and maintain FAFSA/financial aid eligibility.
(2) Students in any other training program
shall maintain satisfactory progress and minimum grade standard as established
by the training program.
(H) To continue receiving OOD support, an
individual with a disability participating in
postsecondary training shall maintain a cumulative grade point average of
2.0 or higher and the minimum grade requirements for successful completion of
the academic program. For a graduate college or graduate university training
program, the grade standard shall be the school's grade requirement for
graduation. If a student falls below a cumulative grade point average of 2.0
due to extenuating circumstances as determined by OOD, OOD may continue to
support educational expenses for the next term in which the individual is
enrolled. OOD's support for the next term following a grade point average of
less than 2.0 is limited to one term only. Thereafter, the student shall
maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher and the minimum
grade requirements for successful completion of the academic program.
(I) An individual with a disability shall
make payment to OOD for any refund received for tuition, training fees or
supplies for which OOD has paid.
(J) This rule is designed to implement the
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, 29 U.S.C. 32, and resulting
regulations.
