Page 3

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

2400

3

2400 Postsecondary Education (PSE) (08/01/2024, 23-34)

a. The postsecondary education (PSE) program is a solely state-funded (SSF) program to assist parents in eligible households to obtain two- or four-year postsecondary undergraduate degrees.

b. The PSE program provides financial assistance, case management, and support services.

c. Eligibility is based on financial and non-financial criteria (rules 2406 and 2407).

d. The PSE program is not an entitlement program because participation for eligible applicants is limited to the availability of program funds.

1. If program funds are insufficient to serve all eligible applicants, prioritization for admission to the PSE program will be governed by rule 2408.

e. The Department may fund certain household’s PSE financial assistance with state funds claimed as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Maintenance of Effort (MOE) when such funding conforms to federal TANF law and the household is meeting the applicable federal work requirement with hours in postsecondary education or other federal work activity. 2401 Definitions (08/01/2024, 23-34)

a. The following definitions apply to the PSE program rules:

1. "Applicant" means a parent, who is applying for admission to the PSE program. 2. "Approved College" includes the term "college" and means any institution of higher education offering two-year or four-year postsecondary education degrees with priority given to those that are not for profit, including: i. Those certified by the State Board of Education as provided in 16 V. S. A. §176 - 176a; ii. Those accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges or a comparable accrediting agency; iii. Those accredited by the Vermont State Board of Nursing as provided in 26 V. S. A. §1573-1574 and 1581; iv. Any legally authorized technical school, not including regional technical centers, that admits students, who have completed the twelfth grade or its equivalent and are accredited by: A. A nationally recognized accrediting agency or association; B. A state accrediting agency or association listed by the United States secretary of education pursuant to 20 U.S.C. §1085(c)(4) (P.L. 89-329); or C. Any other means of accreditation approved by the state board. 3. "Department" means the Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF).

4. “Dependent child” means a child who is a Vermont resident, and:

i. Is under the age of 18 years; or