Section 17b-653-15 - Training in institution of higher education or vocational training facilities(a) Financial participation by the bureau in providing training in institutions of higher education or vocational training facilities shall be made to assure that the cost to the bureau will not exceed the cost of a program at a public Connecticut state supported college, university, community technical college or similar program which the bureau determines to be commensurate, unless an alternative program is necessary because of the individual's disability.(b) Financial participation by the bureau in providing training in institutions of higher education or vocational training facilities shall be made only in accordance with an appropriately completed employment plan and shall be limited to support of training that is needed to achieve the employment outcome.(c) No training in institutions of higher education shall be paid for by the bureau unless maximum efforts have been made to secure comparable benefits or other assistance in whole or in part from other sources to pay for such training. These benefits shall include family contribution, basic grant entitlement under student financial aid programs, private or institution-based scholarships, tuition waiver, work-study and earnings. The amount of bureau support, together with institutional aid, shall not exceed the cost of the education. A client will be encouraged but not required to apply for student loans.(1) In pursuing a determination of available comparable benefits and assistance from other sources, the applicant or client shall make application to the training institution's financial aid office (FAO) and shall cooperate in the provision of all information required by the financial aid office in its calculation of the applicant's or client's eligibility for financial assistance. The bureau shall presume the correctness of the computation made by the FAO at the post-secondary training institution which the client is attending regarding the amount of parental and family contribution which can be expected to be applied toward the cost of the client's post-secondary training. However, where evidence is presented that the computation made by the FAO is clearly erroneous, and when time or other circumstances make it impossible or impractical for the client to have the computation by the FAO corrected, the bureau will not allow these factors to adversely affect the amount of assistance to the client.
The bureau will assume primary responsibility for disability-related expenses, such as personal care, personal assistants, or specialized tutoring, as appropriate to the successful completion of program, provided such services are not covered under Title II or III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. In no case shall the bureau assume the role or responsibility as employer of the personal assistant, tutor or other individual assisting the client.
(2) The applicant or client shall give written authorization to the bureau and the financial aid office to exchange information relevant to the determination of eligibility for financial assistance.(3) Application by the applicant or client to the financial aid office will be made in sufficient time to permit a decision to be rendered by the financial aid office prior to the starting date of training (and in no case less than sixty (60) days prior to the starting date of training).(4) The bureau may deny support of training services in cases where a client fails to apply for financial aid in a timely manner or otherwise cooperate with the financial aid office or bureau in order to make a determination of the client's financial needs.(d) The bureau shall not be required to provide post-secondary education services beyond the baccalaureate level unless,(1) the client requires graduate training to enter employment within the profession which is identified and agreed upon in the employment plan and is consistent with the client's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests and informed choice; and(2) the severity of the client's disability limits his/her ability to function in an appropriate initial career position while simultaneously completing additional training at the graduate level required to advance in the profession.Conn. Agencies Regs. § 17b-653-15
Adopted effective June 6, 2000