Florida Administrative Code › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › 65C - Family Safety and Preservation Program › Chapter 65C-42 - ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE › Section 65C-42.002 - Postsecondary Education Services and Support

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
(1) Application for Postsecondary Education
				Services and Support (PESS). Each young adult who wishes to receive a PESS
				stipend shall complete and sign an application for this program.
(2) If it is determined that the young adult
				is not eligible for PESS, designated staff shall determine whether the young
				adult is eligible for Education and Training Voucher (ETV) financial assistance
				utilizing the Postsecondary Education Services and Support (PESS) and Education
				and Training Voucher (ETV) Initial, Renewal and Reinstatement Application,
				CF-FSP 5382, incorporated in subsection (3) of this rule. The young adult's
				eligibility for or ability to obtain other funding for postsecondary education
				shall not be considered when determining eligibility for PESS.
(3) Initial Application Process for PESS
				Stipend. Designated staff shall provide the young adult with the "Postsecondary
				Education Services and Support (PESS) and Education and Training Voucher (ETV)
				Initial, Renewal and Reinstatement Application, " CF-FSP 5382, (November 2022),
				which is hereby incorporated by reference and available at
http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-14976
.
(a) Designated staff shall assist the young
				adult in completing the application or meeting eligibility
				requirements.
(b) All young adults
				with diagnosed disabilities or mental health needs shall be provided with an
				equal opportunity to participate in the PESS program. A young adult with a
				diagnosed disability or mental health need may need additional support;
				therefore, the designated staff shall work in consultation with all of the
				young adult's service providers, guardian ad litem, and attorney, if
				applicable.
(c) The young adult
				must obtain and provide documentation of the following:
1. A high school diploma or its equivalent,
				in accordance with section 409.1451(2)(a)3., F.S.,
2. Admittance for enrollment as a full-time
				student or its equivalent in an eligible postsecondary educational institution
				or as a part-time student if he or she has a recognized disability or other
				challenge or circumstance that would prevent full-time attendance; and,
3. A complete and error-free
				submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and
				application to any grants or scholarships suggested by the post-secondary
				institution based on the FAFSA submission.
(d) Designated staff shall verify the
				following:
1. The young adult was living in
				licensed foster care on his or her 18th birthday or is currently living in
				foster care; or was at least 16 years of age when adopted from foster care or
				placed with a court-approved dependency guardian after spending at least six
				(6) months in licensed care within the 12 months immediately preceding such
				placement or adoption. A young adult is considered to have been living in
				licensed care on the date of his or her 18th birthday if the young adult was in
				the legal custody of the Department on the date of his or her 18th birthday,
2. The young adult spent at least
				six (6) months in licensed care before reaching his or her 18th birthday,
3. The young adult has reached 18
				years of age but is not yet 23 years of age; and,
4. The young adult signed an agreement to
				allow the Department and the community-based care lead agency access to school
				records.