Section 6A-25.014 - Vocational and Other Training Services(1) Training materials. If the aggregate cost of training materials purchased by the division is less than or equal to $1,000, such training materials shall become the property of the individual immediately upon purchase. (a) If the aggregate cost of training materials purchased by the division exceeds $1,000, such training materials shall become the property of the individual upon purchase; however, title and ownership to such training materials shall revert back to the division upon written demand by the division provided circumstances exist justifying the closure of the individual's case for reasons other than a successful completion of the employment outcome.(b) When title to training materials reverts to the division, the individual who received such training materials shall immediately make the training materials available to be secured by the division.(2) Pell Grants. (a) Pell Grants may only be used for expenses related to an individual's participation in an educational program. Such expenses include, but are not limited to, tuition fees, room and board (or living expenses for a student who does not contract with the school for room and board), transportation, books, supplies, and rental or purchase of a computer.(b) The individual must provide the division with Pell Grant award or denial letters.(c) The division may sponsor tuition, fees, books and supplies for the initial term while the individual's Pell Grant application is processed. The division may not sponsor subsequent terms unless the individual's Pell Grant application was denied or a financial aid officer verifies the grant has not been awarded. In the event that an individual is awarded the Pell Grant for a semester in which tuition, fees, books, and/or supplies have been sponsored by the division, that individual shall reimburse the division for the full amount of the expenditures up to the amount of the Pell Grant. Pell Grant money in excess of this amount must be used by the individual for related educational expenses.(3) Individuals may choose to attend a private school or private or out-of-state college or university. If an individual selects an out-of-state or private institution, such institution must be fully accredited and in compliance with the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Title V of the Act in order to receive payment from the division. If an out-of-state or private institution is used on the basis of individual preference, costs shall be paid by the division at the same rate as that for a Florida public institution, with the individual being responsible for paying any cost differences. Under such circumstances, costs of ancillary services such as interpreters for the deaf, note takers, and other accommodations shall be covered by the division only if such services are not provided by similar Florida public institutions or by the private or out-of-state institution chosen by the individual. When providing training or education services, the division shall pay only the amount charged by Florida's public colleges/universities or vocational schools (less the amount the individual is eligible to receive in grants), unless attendance at an out-of-state or private college or university or private training program is:(a) Necessary due to its unduplicated educational resources to prepare for, retain or regain the employment outcome; or(b) The most cost effective option when taking into account transportation and maintenance due to location or when taking into account available grant and scholarship funds (except scholarships based on merit); or(c) Necessary due to circumstances beyond the eligible individual's control such as personal illness, physical limitation, the need for part-time employment or to care for children or other family members and other similar circumstances; or(d) Paid by grant, award or scholarship monies (except those based on merit) sufficient to offset increased cost to the division.(4) The division shall not continue payment for training or educational programs for eligible individuals who fail to maintain institution standards for both satisfactory academic performance and a full academic load unless such failure is due to:(a) Circumstances beyond the eligible individual's control such as personal illness, physical or mental limitations;(b) A need for part-time employment; or(c) Caring for children or other family members.(5) If an individual has to retake a course due to a failing grade or fails to attend the appropriate number of classes and the failure to attend was within the individual's control, the division shall have no obligation to pay for the student's retaking of the course.(6) The awarding of a degree or certificate shall be within a time frame based on the individual's needs and capabilities.(7) Out-of-State Students Attending Florida Schools.(a) When an individual requests support for training services to pursue an Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree at any college or university in Florida, the division will ascertain whether the individual is a resident of another state. If an individual refuses to disclose their state of residence, then the division cannot authorize the requested training services for the individual.(b) The presentation of any two of the following documents are sufficient to determine that an individual has established their residence in Florida: 1. A sworn declaration of domicile for the individual meeting the requirements of section 222.17, F.S.;2. A Florida driver license or identification card for the individual;3. A Florida vehicle registration for the individual's vehicle; or4. A Florida voter registration card for the individual.(c) An individual can provide evidence of residence in Florida, as described in paragraph (b), when applying for services or after becoming eligible for services. Upon presentation of such evidence, the restrictions on the provision of services in this subsection will no longer apply to the individual.(d) For any individual seeking training services, as described in paragraph (a), who is a resident of another state, the division must refer the individual to the designated state agency/designated state unit (DSA/DSU) under the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, in the individual's state of residence.(e) If the individual refuses to seek support for the training services, as described in paragraph (a), from the DSA/DSU of their state of residence, the division will not authorize training services.(f) The division will rely on the determination regarding the provision of training services, as described in paragraph (a), made by the DSA/DSU of the individual's state of residence. The division will not provide training services, as described in paragraph (a), following a denial of such services by the DSA/DSU of the individual's state of residence.(g) The requirements of this subsection will not affect the eligibility determination for the individual, as governed by law and the rules of this chapter. The requirements of this subsection will not affect the provision of other vocational rehabilitation services to the individual, as governed by law and the rules of this chapter.Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 6A-25.014
Rulemaking Authority 413.22 FS. Law Implemented 413.24, 413.28, 413.30, 413.32 FS.
New 5-14-12, Amended by Florida Register Volume 45, Number 181, September 17, 2019 effective 10/1/2019.New 5-14-12, Amended 10-1-19.