1. GENERAL RULE FOR POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS ONLY

(b) a statement from an acceptable medical or mental health source such as:

(i) a licensed physician;

(ii) a physician’s assistant;

(iii) a nurse practitioner;

(iv) a licensed osteopath;

(v) a licensed or certified psychologist;

(vi) a person authorized to provide copies of the summaries of medical records of medical institutions; or

(vii) as the disabling condition relates specifically to their field—

a) a licensed podiatrist,

b) a qualified speech-language pathologist, or

c) a licensed optometrist;

(3) be responsible for care of a household member under six years old, or when adequate child care is not available for children between six and twelve years of age to enable the student to attend class and satisfy the 20 hour work requirement or participate in a work study program (if an individual is a full time student and a sole parent with the responsibility for a dependent child under age 12 regardless of the availability of adequate child care, eligible student status is met).

NOTE: Exemption is still allowed when child care is purchased for a child under six years old;

(4) be receiving TANF/PaS;

(5) Starting January 16, 2021 and continuing through the end of any certification period that began during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) or within 30 days of the termination of the COVID-19 PHE, a student that has an expected family contribution of $0 as determined in accordance with 20 U.S.C. ch. 28, Subchapter IV, Part F (Helpful resources may be found by search for the relevant fiscal year EFC Formula Guide published at https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center);

(6) be engaged in paid employment of 86 hours or more per month. If self-employed, be employed for 86 hours or more per month and receive monthly earnings averaging at least equal to the Federal minimum wage multiplied by 86 hours;

(7) be participating in a state or federally financed work study program;

(8) Starting January 16, 2021, a student need only be approved for federally financed work study. Participation is not required. This expanded eligibility is in effect for the duration of any certification period that began during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) or within 30 days of the termination of the COVID-19 PHE. This expanded eligibility, unlike the usual work study condition, will continue through scheduled school vacations;

(9) be participating in an on-the-job training program;

NOTE: A person is considered to be participating in an on-the-job training program only during the period of time the person is being trained by the employer (i.e., to meet this student eligibility condition, the person must continue to work; only attending classes does not meet the condition).

or

(10) be assigned to or be placed in post-secondary institution through one of the following programs:

(a) Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA),

(b) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Employment and Training (SNAP E&T),

(c) the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program of the Department of Labor (for workers dislocated due to imports), or

(d) an employment and training program for low income households operated by a state or local government where one or more of the components of such program is at least equivalent to a SNAP E&T program component (e.g., 8 weeks per year job search; job search training and support activities; workfare; work experience; education program that directly enhances employability). Examples: Maine Department of Labor Competitive Skills Scholarship Program (CSSP) and Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment (HOPE).

NOTE: Self-initiated post-secondary institution placement during the time the person is enrolled in one of these employment and training programs is acceptable if the person’s employment and training program has a component for enrollment in an institution of higher education and that program accepts the placement.

B. Once a student enrolls in post-secondary education, they shall be considered enrolled through normal periods of attendance, vacations, and recesses until they graduate, are dismissed, drop out, or do not plan to enroll for the next normal term (summer sessions are not considered normal terms).

C. The income and assets of an ineligible student living with a household shall not be considered in determining the benefits of the remaining household members. See 444-4.