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431 (07/2026) Chapter 2:Eligibility • Section 6: Non-financial eligibility includes students who are not working. Coursework can include classes that lead to a certificate, degree or job related knowledge and skills. When student hours are requested, the case must be reviewed to ensure the following conditions are met before hours can be authorized: • The caretaker’s coursework must be through an educational institution eligible to receive Federal Financial Aid.
Exception for caretakers aged 20 and younger: This requirement does not apply if attending coursework through a local high school or GED completion program. The Federal Financial Aid requirement is waived for these students.
Caretakers aged 21 and older: If participating in a GED program, the educational institution must still be eligible to receive Federal Financial Aid. • The caretaker’s current class schedule must be verified at initial certification, renewal, when student hours are requested during a mid-certification change, or when a request is made to increase student hours. Financial aid and child care need The caretaker’s financial aid award letter must be verified at: • Initial certification • Renewal • When student hours are requested during a mid-certification change (if not previously received and verified). Exception: • If the caretaker reports receiving only non-countable income (e.g., Title IV educational income or loans), their statement is acceptable, and verification of the financial aid award letter is not required. A conversation with the caretaker is required to determine whether financial aid covers some or all of the family’s child care costs. • If it does, the financial aid award letter must be reviewed to determine if the family has a child care need that is not fully covered by financial aid. Students receiving a child care grant through the Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC) are not eligible for ERDC benefits. Study time In addition to class hours, students may be eligible for study time hours. Once class hours are verified and entered in ONE, the system will automatically add hours for study time. Study time hours will be added to the hours calculation before ONE evaluates for a part-time or full-time authorization of hours. Travel time will then be added.