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Vermont Department for Children and Families Postsecondary Education Rules Economic Services Division

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occupational goals; 5. Identification of colleges that offer the most appropriate programs to meet the applicant's occupational goals, taking into consideration household obligations and financial constraints; 6. Application for financial benefits; and 7. Coordination with Department case managers for applicants, who are recipients of Reach Up benefits. 2408 Prioritizing PSE Applicants (08/01/2024, 23-34)

a. If program funds are insufficient for all otherwise eligible applicants to participate, participation in the program shall be granted to applicants in the following order:

1. Applicants without a college degree or who qualify for an exception under rule 2405.2 who also:

i. Have demonstrated the ability to be successful in college by accumulating college credits that can be applied to the degree sought; and

ii. Qualify for PSE financial benefits. 2. Applicants who have had no postsecondary education and who qualify for PSE financial benefits. 3. Applicants without a college degree or who qualify for an exception under rule 2405.2 who also: i. Have already demonstrated the ability to be successful in college by accumulating college credits that can be applied to the degree sought; and ii. Qualify for case management services, but do not qualify for PSE financial benefits. 4. Applicants who have no postsecondary education and qualify for case management services, but do not qualify for PSE financial benefits. 5. If the number of eligible applicant households in the priority group under consideration exceeds the number of openings for PSE, program eligibility will be determined by random selection from that group. 2409 Financial Benefits (08/01/2024, 23-34)

a. PSE households determined to be otherwise eligible for financial benefits under the applicable Reach Up Eligibility rules for income and resources shall receive PSE financial benefits equivalent to the Reach Up financial benefit for which they would have been eligible.

b. The amount of PSE financial benefits shall be determined and verified by the Reach Up Eligibility rules. 1. The initial amount of PSE financial benefits shall be determined at the time of admission into the PSE program and shall be recalculated if the household's circumstances change. 2. The initial financial benefit payment shall be effective on the first day of the calendar month in which the PSE participant begins attending classes in the degree program, unless they fall within the exception in (3) below. i. A household may not receive a PSE financial benefit and a Reach Up financial benefit for the same calendar month.