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

2400

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2405.2 Pre-Existing Undergraduate Degrees (08/01/2024, 23-34)

a. Applicants are not eligible for the PSE program if they already have a postsecondary undergraduate degree unless they meet one of the following exceptions:

1. If the applicant states that they are unable to perform the occupation for the pre-existing undergraduate degree because of a disability, the applicant shall submit medical evidence of the disability and evidence of its effect on their ability to perform the occupation.

i. The Department may request the services of a consultant if it is unable to make a determination based on the documentation provided by the applicant. 2. If the applicant states that the occupation for the pre-existing undergraduate degree is obsolete or outdated and not marketable in the current labor market, the Department shall make a determination including consideration of the following factors: i. Current licensing requirements for a particular occupation cannot be met by the applicant's previously obtained degree and those deficiencies cannot be remedied by taking current courses in a non-degree program; or ii. A person currently pursuing the same occupational goal would be required to complete substantially different requirements from those included in the previously obtained degree and those deficiencies cannot be remedied by taking current courses in a non-degree program. 2406 Development of a PSE Plan (08/01/2024, 23-34)

a. Each PSE plan shall include the following:

1. The name and location of the college at which the applicant or participant is matriculating or matriculated;

2. A statement of the occupational goal the applicant or participant intends to pursue after receiving the postsecondary undergraduate degree and why they wish to pursue this occupation;

3. The labor market area in which the applicant or participant plans to seek employment;

4. The field directly related to employment in which the applicant or participant proposes to complete the postsecondary degree;

5. The supporting information that demonstrates the necessary connection between the employment goal and the field of study, including:

i. The job titles for other occupations that can be pursued with this degree and field of study;

ii. A description of the career exploration activities the applicant or participant has completed to gather this information; and

iii. A justification for the need of a four-year degree to achieve the occupational goal, if the