Section 590.240  Undergraduate and Non-degree Training

The customer has the right to make an informed choice of the training facility that he or she will attend in completing his or her IPE. State of Illinois public institutions of higher education shall be given preference over out-of-state and private institutions.

a)         Non-Degree Training

1)         DHS-DRS will provide financial contribution up to the total cost leading to the industry-recognized credential required to achieve the employment outcome. The DHS-DRS financial contribution will be based on the total cost of attendance at an Illinois in-district community college, unless training can be obtained at a lower cost from another institution. DHS-DRS financial contribution is less comparable benefits (see 89 Ill. Adm. Code 567.20) and less any customer financial participation (see 89 Ill. Adm. Code 562.30).

2)         DHS-DRS will annually establish a maximum financial contribution for tuition and fees if no program is available from an Illinois public community college leading to an industry-recognized credential. DHS-DRS financial contribution is less comparable benefits and less any customer financial participation.

b)         Associate Degree Training  

1)         For customers attending an Illinois public community college, DHS-DRS will provide financial contribution up to the in-district cost, less comparable benefits and less any customer financial participation.

2)         For customers attending private or out-of-state institutions granting an associate degree, DHS-DRS will provide financial contribution no greater than the in-district costs of the Illinois community college district in which the customer resides, less comparable benefits and less any customer financial participation.

            c)         Bachelor's Degree Training

1)         For customers attending an Illinois public four-year university, DHS-DRS will provide financial contribution up to the published costs for in-state tuition and fees, less comparable benefits and less any customer financial participation.

2)         For customers attending private or out-of-state institutions granting a bachelor's degree, DHS-DRS will annually establish a maximum financial contribution for tuition and fees.  DHS-DRS will provide financial contribution up to the maximum amount, less comparable benefits and less any customer financial participation.

d)         Exceptions may be granted by the appropriate Bureau Chief for an individual customer if there are extenuating circumstances relating to the customer's disability.

e)         The State VR Director can make an exemption for a specified institution of higher education based on the value of the unique program and contribution of services to customers as related to their disabilities and documented success of the institution of higher education.

(Source:  Amended at 36 Ill. Reg. 6598, effective April 13, 2012)