1997 Minnesota Statutes

     256J.53 Post-secondary education; limitations on 
  approval, job search requirement. 

    Subdivision 1.    Length of program.  In order for a 
 post-secondary education or training program to be approved work 
 activity as defined in section 256J.49, subdivision 13, clause 
 (18), it must be a program lasting 12 months or less, and the 
 participant must meet the requirements of subdivisions 2 and 3.  
 A program lasting up to 24 months may be approved on an 
 exception basis if the conditions specified in subdivisions 2 to 
 4 are met.  A participant may not be approved for more than a 
 total of 24 months of post-secondary education or training. 

    Subd. 2.    Documentation supporting program.  In order 
 for a post-secondary education or training program to be an 
 approved activity in a participant's employment plan, the 
 participant or the employment and training service provider must 
 provide documentation that: 

    (1) the participant's employment plan identifies specific 
 goals that can only be met with the additional education or 
 training; 

    (2) there are suitable employment opportunities that 
 require the specific education or training in the area in which 
 the participant resides or is willing to reside; 

    (3) the education or training will result in significantly 
 higher wages for the participant than the participant could earn 
 without the education or training; 

    (4) the participant can meet the requirements for admission 
 into the program; and 

    (5) there is a reasonable expectation that the participant 
 will complete the training program based on such factors as the 
 participant's MFIP-S assessment, previous education, training, 
 and work history; current motivation; and changes in previous 
 circumstances. 

    Subd. 3.    Satisfactory progress required.  In order 
 for a post-secondary education or training program to be an 
 approved activity in a participant's employment plan, the 
 participant must maintain satisfactory progress in the program.  
 "Satisfactory progress" in an education or training program 
 means (1) the participant remains in good standing while the 
 participant is enrolled in the program, as defined by the 
 education or training institution, or (2) the participant makes 
 satisfactory progress as the term is defined in the 
 participant's employment plan. 

    Subd. 4.    Repayment of employment and training 
 assistance.  In order for a post-secondary education or 
 training program lasting between 13 and 24 months to be an 
 approved activity in a participant's employment plan, the 
 participant must agree to repay the amount of employment and 
 training funds paid by the county to support the individual's 
 participation in each month of an education or training program 
 after the 12th month of the program.  Assistance obtained by the 
 participant through the federal Pell grant program or other 
 federal or state programs of higher education assistance must be 
 excluded from the amount to be repaid by the participant.  The 
 participant and the county agency must develop a mutually 
 acceptable repayment plan.  The repayment plan must not assess 
 any interest charges on the cost of the funds to be repaid.  The 
 loan is considered to be in repayment status when: 

    (1) the participant completes the program and obtains 
 suitable employment that pays annual gross wages of at least 150 
 percent of the federal poverty level; or 

    (2) the participant leaves the program before completion of 
 the program and obtains suitable employment that pays annual 
 gross wages of at least 150 percent of the federal poverty level.

    Subd. 5.    Job search after completion of work activity. 
  If a participant's employment plan includes a post-secondary 
 educational or training program, the plan must include an 
 anticipated completion date for those activities.  At the time 
 the education or training is completed, the participant must 
 participate in job search.  If, after three months of job 
 search, the participant does not find a job that is consistent 
 with the participant's employment goal, the participant must 
 accept any offer of suitable employment. 

    HIST: 1997 c 85 art 1 s 44