§ 386.40 - What are the requirements for scholars?

§ 386.40 What are the requirements for scholars?

(a) A scholar must -

(1) Be enrolled in a course of study leading to a certificate or degree in one of the fields designated in § 386.1(b);

(2) Receive the training at the educational institution or agency designated in the scholarship;

(3) Not accept payment of educational allowances from any other entity if that allowance conflicts with the scholar's obligation under section 302 of the Act and this part;

(4) Not receive concurrent scholarships for the same academic term from more than one project under this program;

(5) Enter into a signed written agreement with the grantee, prior to the receipt of scholarship funds, as required in § 386.34(c);

(6) Maintain satisfactory progress toward the certificate or degree as determined by the grantee;

(7) Upon exiting the training program under paragraph (a)(1) of this section, subsequently maintain employment on a full- or part-time basis subject to the provisions in paragraph (b) of this section -

(i)

(A) In a State vocational rehabilitation agency or related agency as defined in § 386.4; and

(B)

(1) In the field of study for which training was received, or

(2) Where the field of study is directly relevant to the job functions performed; and

(ii) For a period of at least the full-time equivalent of two years for every academic year for which assistance under this section was received subject to the provisions in paragraph (c) of this section for part-time coursework;

(8) Complete the service obligation within a period, beginning after the recipient exits the training program for which the scholarship was awarded, of not more than the sum of the number of years in the period described in paragraph (a)(7)(ii) of this section and two additional years;

(9) Repay all or part of any scholarship received, plus interest, if the individual does not fulfill the requirements of this section, except as provided for in § 386.41 for exceptions and deferrals; and

(10) Provide the grantee all requested information necessary for the grantee to meet the exit certification requirements in § 386.34(f) and, as necessary, thereafter for any changes necessary for the grantee to monitor the scholar's service obligation under this section.

(b)

(1) The period of qualifying employment that meets the requirements of paragraph (a)(7) of this section may begin -

(i) For courses of study of at least one year, only subsequent to the completion of one academic year of the training for which the scholarship assistance was received.

(ii) For courses of study of less than one year, only upon completion of the training for which the scholarship assistance was received.

(2) The work completed as part of an internship, practicum, or any other work-related requirement necessary to complete the educational program is not considered qualifying employment.

(c) If the scholar is pursuing coursework on a part-time basis, the service obligation for these part-time courses is based on the equivalent total of actual academic years of training received.

(d) If a scholar fails to provide the information in paragraph (a)(10) of this section or otherwise maintain contact with the grantee pursuant to the terms of the signed payback agreement and enters into repayment status pursuant to § 386.43, the scholar will be held responsible for any costs assessed in the collection process under that section even if that information is subsequently provided.

(Authority: Sections 12(c) and 302(b) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; 29 U.S.C. 709(c) and 772(b))