1. Can the Department of Rehabilitation help with education and training so I can get a job?

Yes. If you need it to reach your employment goal then the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) can help. This includes training at a community college, four-year university, graduate school, vocational programs and certificate programs.

“Advanced training” can be provided in many different fields including, science, technology, engineering, mathematics (including computer science), medicine, law, or business, and more, to help individuals advance in their careers. Click here to read the regulation about DOR training.

Depending on your employment goal and your personal needs, DOR may be able to fully fund your training through a private school, or an out-of-state school. In general, the DOR will pay for the least expensive training option for your employment goal. See questions 7-12 below for more information on how the DOR determines how much it will pay toward training services, including private and out-of-state training.

2. How does DOR decide the level of training they will pay for?

DOR can provide training services needed to give you the skills and credentials to reach your employment goal.

For example, if the IPE goal is to become a social worker, then training would consist of getting a degree in social work and passing the licensing exam.

3. Can I choose an employment goal that is not entry-level?

Yes. You are NOT limited to choosing “entry-level” jobs (i.e. Jobs that usually require less training and often pay a lower wage than a non-entry level position.).

In the past, DOR only helped with entry level employment, but the law changed in 2014 with the passing of the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA). Now DOR should help individuals to advance in their employment and to be able to achieve high paying and meaningful careers.

4. Can DOR assist me with additional training or with an advanced degree?

Yes. If you are a current DOR client you may ask for a change to your Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) to include more services like additional training, if you need it to find a job that meets your goal. Or you can ask DOR to change your goal, which could include training for an advanced degree.

If you are not a DOR client, you can open a new case with DOR to request help to reach a specific career goal, which can include training for an advanced degree. DOR may consider your skills, abilities and labor market to help determine if your choice of goal will be a good fit.

5. Can I attend part-time training?

Yes. You can attend training part-time due to your disability or other factors. For example, if you are already working during the day to pay your bills and can only attend training at night part-time, DOR should be able to assist you. You may get less financial aid if you attend part-time training, which would mean that DOR would pay a larger portion of the cost. Therefore, it may be helpful to tell your counselor why you are choosing to go to school part-time.

6. What services and supports are available to me while I participate in training?

While receiving training services, DOR can provide you with different services and supports. Examples of these supports include, but are not limited to, the following:

• personal assistance services;
• books and other school-related supplies;
• equipment or tools
• transportation, such as a bus pass or gas money;
• vehicle modifications to make a vehicle accessible to you
• Assistive Technology (AT), such as computers, software programs, text readers, calculators, magnifiers, AT training, etc.;
• internet access;
• maintenance costs such as school uniforms, one-time deposits for utilities, and school housing in some circumstances;
• other goods and services that are determined necessary for you to reach your employment goal.

When attending a public college or university, if you need reasonable accommodations, you will need to request them directly from that institution. This includes personal assistance services such as readers, interpreters and note takers. However, if you are not able to get the accommodations you need from the school, you may request that DOR provide them to you.

7. Am I expected to pay for my training services?

The law states training services are exempt from client financial participation, which means you do not have to pay for them. This includes the cost of tuition, books, supplies, tutoring, and training related materials. Click here to read, 9 C.C.R. Section 7191(c)(4), which lists exemptions to the client financial participation rules.

However, this does not mean that DOR will automatically pay for all your training costs. DOR is directed to fund the least expensive training that will meet your needs. In general, DOR funds tuition at the community college rate for the first two years for clients receiving college training; and the state college/university rate for the remaining years. Therefore, if you choose to attend a four-year college/university for the first two years of your studies, and you do not meet an exception, you will be required to pay the cost difference between that college/university you attend and the community college rate.

See questions 9 and 10 below to learn more about the exceptions.

8. Do I need to use my financial aid grants and scholarships toward the cost of my training?

Yes. DOR will not pay for your training services unless you make a “maximum effort” to secure grant assistance to pay for all or part of your training first. Maximum effort means that you must apply for public grants and use these funds towards the cost of your training expenses, before DOR can pay for any remaining costs. Even if you are not eligible for financial aid, you must still apply for it and provide a denial to DOR. There are a few exceptions to this rule, including awards and scholarships based on merit. You also do not have to use student loans for these costs, even if they are part of your financial aid package.

DOR will determine the level of funds they will provide for your training needs by subtracting the total amount of your educational grants and/or awards from the costs of your tuition, books, supplies, maintenance and transportation. The remainder is the amount DOR will pay for. Click here to read the regulation about maximum effort.

An important thing to note is that DOR does not pay for classes until you complete them for that semester. Once your training services are approved, the college or university you attend must accept an “authorization/promise to pay” from DOR. The school will then send an invoice to DOR at the close of each semester. It is important that you provide DOR with information as to dates and costs in advance of the semester so that DOR can issue an authorization, which in turn allows you to register with the school or college.

9. Do I have to go to community college before I enroll in a four-year college or university?

As discussed in question 7 above, DOR is directed to pay for the least expensive service that meets your needs. For clients receiving college level training, the law states that DOR will fund tuition at the community college rate for the first two years, and then will fund the state college or university rate for the next two years once the individual transfers to a four-year state college or university, as community college is typically the lower-cost alternative.

Click here to read the regulation about funding for college level training. Click here to read the regulation about funding for college level training.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule, if you can show any one of the following:

1. The four-year college/university is essential to the success of the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE); OR
2. Starting your training at a four-year college or university will be equal to or less expensive than attending community college for the first two years; OR
3. You agree to pay additional costs for training when the DOR has determined that a community college for the first two years is sufficient to meet your needs.

NOTE: You are entitled to appeal DOR’s decision if you disagree that the community college meets your needs. Some reasons might be if the classes you must take for your major are not available at the community college, or, the college does not provide disability-related supports you require. Click here to read more about the appeals process and your rights.

10. Can DOR pay for my training through a private school?

DOR can only authorize training at a private university if one or more of the following conditions exist:

1. A private school will better meet your needs; or
2. The cost will be less than a public school; or
3. The training is not available in a public school; or
4. Attendance in a public school would cause a significant delay in reaching your employment goal.

Click here to read the regulation about private school funding.

If you meet one of the exceptions above, DOR will then fund the remaining cost of your attendance including tuition, books, supplies, transportation and maintenance at a private college or university after your financial aid grants and scholarships are applied.

If you do not meet one of the exceptions above, you may still choose to attend a private institution for your training in lieu of a public school. However, if you choose to attend a private institution, and a public school is available that is sufficient to meet your training needs, you will be responsible for paying any remaining costs beyond the public-school rate.

NOTE: You are also entitled to appeal DOR’s decision if you disagree that the public school meets your needs. Click here to read more about the appeals process and your rights. Click here to read more about the appeals process and your rights.

11. Can DOR pay for my training in a different state?

Yes. DOR may pay for your training out-of-state. If there are no suitable schools or courses available in California, or, if attending a training program in California will impose an undue hardship then DOR can pay the full private school rate. Click here to read the federal regulation about out-of-state training.

You can also choose to attend an accredited college out-of-state as part of your informed choice. However, if the training you need is available in-state, the DOR can provide funding up to the state rate and you would be responsible for paying the difference.

12. When can DOR stop paying for my training services?

When you finish your training needed for your employment goal, DOR will no longer pay for your training. DOR may also stop training services for lack of progress. If the training program does not meet your needs, you may consider talking with your DOR counselor about changing your program. Click here to read the regulation that explains when DOR can stop training services.

If you disagree with DOR’s decision to stop your training services, you should immediately speak with your DOR counselor and/or supervisor. In the event you are unable to resolve your disagreement, you have one year to appeal that decision by Administrative Review with the District Administrator, Mediation, and/or a Fair Hearing. Click here to learn more about your appeal rights.

To request assistance in resolving disputes with DOR related to educational training services or other DOR issues, you may contact the Client Assistance Program at (800) 776-5746.