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PY26 WHEAP Manual

39 Revised: August 2025 least one of the following WHEAP student status criteria is met: 1. The case head is physically or mentally disabled (disability must be verified, i.e., Veterans or Social Security Disability benefits), and the verification of disability is entered in HE+ System Notes 2. The case head is receiving W-2/TANF cash benefits 3. The case head or their spouse (if married) is financially responsible for a child 18 years old or younger who is living in the same household 4. The case head lives with a spouse who is not a student 5. The case head currently works an average of 20 or more hours per week for at least minimum wage 6. The case head is a full-time student receiving extended unemployment compensation benefits under the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), sometimes referred to under the North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA), provisions designed to enable the case head to be a full-time student. The TAA benefit award is limited to one year.

WHEAP case heads under 25 years old are considered students if they are enrolled, on a half-time to full-time status, in an institution of higher education that requires a high school diploma or an equivalency certificate (i.e., universities, colleges, technical, trade, vocational schools, and schools for the physical or mentally disabled). Determination of a student’s status as a full-time, half-time, or part-time student is based on the institution’s assessment/policy. Questions about status that cannot be resolved with the institution should be addressed to the HE+ Help Desk.

Student status expires at midnight on the last day of the applicant’s final semester as per the institution of higher education’s established semester end date.

NOTE: A minor case head is not considered a student because they are not in post-secondary education.

3.2.4.1 In Between Enrollments Individuals who have graduated from high school and have not yet enrolled in post-secondary education are treated as adult members of a household (unless they are under 18 years of age) until they begin their education. This may affect a few early applications, taken in August or September, as the individual’s status is determined on the date of the application. It may also affect individuals who have had non-traditional high school graduation dates. If there is such an individual in the household, count the income of the adult (age 18 and older) for the month prior to the date of the application.

3.2.4.2 High School Enrollees A high school student may be considered a case head only if over 18, or if they are an emancipated minor (see Section 3.2.1). If the student is enrolled in a regular high school program leading to a diploma, the student status is not considered in determining eligibility. If the student is enrolled in a program leading to a General Education Diploma (GED) at a technical school or other institution, that program does not qualify as post-secondary education and may not be used to qualify an applicant for student status.