Division Policy 2.09

SUBJECT

Postsecondary Education

EFFECTIVE DATE

July 11, 2003

REVISION DATE

April 29, 2025

EXPIRATION DATE

N/A

PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND

The Division of Blind Services (DBS) may sponsor services under the vocational rehabilitation program to meet the vocational needs of an individual with a disability and assist the individual in preparing for, securing, maintaining, advancing in,  or regaining an employment outcome consistent with the individual’s unique Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) when such goals meet the requirements of 34 CFR 361.5(c)(15).

AUTHORITY

Chapter 413, Florida Statute; Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as Amended; 34 C.F.R Part 361.

POLICY

DBS may pay for *postsecondary education services that include the following:

• State Colleges - Full-time or part-time academic education above the secondary school level leading to an Associate Degree, a certificate, or other recognized educational credential. Such instruction may be provided by institutions within the Florida College system or technical college.
• Four-year College or University - Full-time or part-time academic training leading to a Baccalaureate Degree, a certificate, or other recognized educational credential. Such training may be provided by a public or private four-year college or university.
• Graduate College - Full-time or part-time academic training leading to a degree recognized as beyond a Baccalaureate Degree, such as a Master of Science, Arts (M.S. or M.A.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.). Such training should be provided by a college or university. 

*Postsecondary Education means courses taken at an institution of higher learning that provides no less than a two-year program of instruction that is acceptable for credit toward a bachelor’s degree, a tribally controlled college or university, or an educational institution offering a certificate or apprenticeship programs at the postsecondary level.

All staff must adhere to the following guidelines when determining the level of DBS sponsorship for postsecondary education (also see College Handbook):

• Participants must and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Assistance (FAFSA)and are required to utilize federal aid that does not require repayment (such as pell grants, scholarships, or work studies) towards the cost and expenses of attending college before DBS sponsorship. Participants are encouraged to apply for other grants and scholarships as well. DBS will not require participants to accept student loans.
• DBS will sponsor the cost for a participant attending an in­state institution of higher education, as a Florida resident. DBS will only pay the non-resident rate for a participant who is not a Florida resident until they become a resident. The participant must obtain residency within a year of acceptance to the institution. The participant is responsible for seeking comparable benefits in the form of grants and scholarships for all tuition and fees that exceed the cost of the in-state tuition. Participants who choose to attend any institution are responsible to pay for all trips to and from the institution and their residential home state. For example, Jane Doe’s residential home is in Florida (or any other state) and she attends FSU, DBS will not pay for Jane to go back and forth between Florida (or any other state) and FSU.
• DBS will sponsor out-of-state Florida residents to attend private or out-of-state institutions of higher education at the Florida in-state residency rate. DBS may sponsor participants to attend field trips or international experiences when it is required as part of their degree or credential program; this requires approval by the Bureau Chief.
• DBS may sponsor distance learning or online courses and degree programs. These will be paid at the Florida in-state residency rate. DBS must approve online courses or degree programs prior to enrollment. Participants attending an online degree program must comply with the requirements stated in the college handbook.
• Participants attending in-state or out-of-state institutions of higher education may attend the educational institution on a full-time or part-time basis. Full-time is considered 12 credit hours per semester unless the institution's definition of "full-time" is different. Part-time is anything less than 12 credit hours. Participants who choose to attend on a part-time basis are encouraged to choose a program that allows them to earn micro-credentials to enter the workforce while pursuing their education.
• DBS will only sponsor participants attending institutions that are fully accredited according to the list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies provided by the U.S. Secretary of Education.
• DBS may sponsor participants beyond an undergraduate degree program (e.g., Master's or Doctorate Degree) if the participant's agreed upon employment goal requires a graduate degree to obtain entry in that field and/or for the purposes of career advancement.
• DBS will only sponsor a course once. The participant is responsible for paying to retake the course(s) if the participant receives a failing grade or fails to attend the appropriate number of classes and the failure to attend was within the participant's control. The participant is responsible for paying to retake the course(s) if the participant receives an incomplete or withdraws from a course after the designated drop period.
• Participants must maintain the minimum academic standards established by the postsecondary institution and must provide grades/records to DBS after each academic term throughout the program.
• The DBS may not pay for postsecondary education services until the counselor and participant have made maximum efforts to secure grant assistance in whole or in part from other sources by exploring all available comparable services and benefits as described in 34 C.F.R 361.5(c)(8).

*Note: The Division may review and approve an exception to this policy as appropriate to meet the vocational needs of an individual.

Original signed by Robert L. Doyle, III, Director on 12-16-2025.