WAC 67-25-390   Vocational rehabilitation services -- Training -- Institutions of higher education.  (1) Training at a university, college, community college, vocational school, technical institute, or hospital school of nursing may be provided if necessary to achieve the employment outcome agreed upon by the customer and vocational rehabilitation counselor except as prohibited in accordance with WAC 67-25-388.

     (2) No training or training services in institutions of higher education shall be paid for with vocational rehabilitation funds unless the customer has applied for financial aid and other grant assistance from other sources to pay for the training in whole or in part. If the customer has applied for financial aid and is waiting for the results, and denial of training funds by the department would result in interruption or delay of the progress of the customer toward achieving his or her employment outcome, the vocational rehabilitation counselor may pay training costs on an interim basis until the results of the financial aid application is known.

     (3) A customer may attend private or out-of-state institutions of higher education in preparation for an employment outcome; however, financial assistance shall be limited to the tuition amount at the University of Washington or the actual cost, whichever is less. Exceptions may be made when required training is not available, or if other significant factors preclude the customer from attending an available training program at a public institution of higher education in the state.

     (4) The department may provide financial assistance to a customer wishing to obtain a postgraduate degree when the training is necessary to achieve the individual's employment outcome. However, financial assistance shall not be provided to a customer pursuing a graduate program for the sole purpose of achieving upward mobility unless it can be determined that the customer is not currently employed in work that is consistent with his or her unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice; and the individual requires vocational rehabilitation services to prepare for, secure, retain, or regain employment of this nature.

     (5) A customer receiving training at an institution of higher education must meet established scholastic standards required by the program. If the customer's grades fall below minimum standards, it shall be necessary, through assessment, counseling, and planning with the customer, to revise the individualized plan for employment including the possible selection of a new employment outcome.



[Statutory Authority: Chapter 74.18 RCW. 05-08-097, § 67-25-390, filed 4/4/05, effective 5/5/05. Statutory Authority: Chapter 74.15 RCW. 95-06-057, § 67-25-390, filed 2/28/95, effective 3/31/95. Statutory Authority: 1983 c 194 § 18. 84-19-003 (Order 84-04), § 67-25-390, filed 9/6/84; 84-01-042 (Order 83-08), § 67-25-390, filed 12/15/83. Formerly WAC 67-20-390.]