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1000.14 TANF MANUAL 7/22 Page 60

Limitations on Post-Secondary Education Directly Related to Employment meeting the definition of Job Skills Training:

(1) Post-secondary activities directly related to employment (certification, associate, or baccalaureate programs) will be limited to a period of twenty-four months. Participants will not be assigned to an educational activity which cannot be reasonably completed within a twenty-four month period of VIEW participation.

The assignment to post-secondary cannot exceed the number of months remaining in the 24- month period for a former VIEW participant returning to the program.

(2) The post-secondary education must be related to the jobs which are available in the community or are projected to become available in the community.

(3) Participants referred to post-secondary activities must have a high school diploma or GED prior to beginning the curriculum.

(4) Participants with a Certificate or Associate degree will not be assigned to additional post- secondary education except in situations in which the Certificate or Associate degree is more than five years old and the agency determines that additional education or training is needed to enhance the client’s employability.

(5) Participants with a Baccalaureate degree will not be assigned to additional post-secondary education. These participants are considered to have the education and ability needed to obtain employment.

(6) Reimbursement for tuition, books and fees will be made for only the twenty-four month period unless the participant has been granted a hardship exception of up to one year to enable the participant to complete employment-related education. The participant must apply for all available sources of funding including Pell grants, scholarships, work study or other sources.

Exception: Optional participation in VIEW for postsecondary students. Any individual enrolled in full-time postsecondary higher education as outlined in House Bill 484* will have the option to participate in VIEW. The choice to not participate in VIEW will make the recipient ineligible for supportive services. (Refer to 1000.12 Supportive Services)

B. Education Below the Post-Secondary Level

Education below post-secondary is an allowable program activity for participants who have not received a high school diploma or GED certificate and whose employability would be enhanced by additional education. It includes ABE, GED, and ESL programs as well as secondary school and may be offered in non-traditional as well as traditional settings. Each assignment to this type of activity should be for a period of time that will coincide with the length of the program whenever possible but should not exceed six months.

1. Educational Activities

a. Participants assigned to this component will be those identified as needing certain educational activities to become ready for further education, training or job entry. Participation in education programs below the Post-Secondary level will be limited to one year. Transmittal 74