If you are attending school already, this will not be hard. If just in the "idea" stage, you will have some items to take care of before sending us information.
Please understand that Social Security can/ will provide you with assistance to pay for your education expenses all the way through school, but there are requirements from you.
You are agreeing once you have completed your education to earn enough to no longer need assistance other than health care. This is your plan; it doesn't mean you will lose assistance immediately or that if your disability flares up, you cannot get back on your benefits.
When we start your PASS Plan, the first question will be; what is your goal? Getting an education is not the goal; it is a step that you need to take to reach your goal. You have to research job titles, such as CPA, auto mechanic, biological engineer, etc. The education has to be the minimum required to obtain a job in that field. I suggest that you check out http://online.onetcenter.org/; this is an occupational handbook to help you know what the requirements are for the job title you are looking to become. Type in any occupation, it will give you choices to choose from. As you scroll down you will see tasks required by the job, educational requirements, and estimated salaries. Maybe you'll find out that you can do the job without spending thousands in tuition. Remember, the PASS can assist you, but you MAY still need to have student loans.
Things the PASS can pays for that are not covered under any other type of grant are numerous; it depends on your disability and your needs.
Examples
- 1. Tuition, books not covered by other grants
- 2. Fees or equipment needed
- 3. Assistive devices not already paid by someone else
- 4. Tutoring
- 5. Childcare
- 6. Computer and internet as long as you can show why
- 7. Computer supplies
- 8. Food while attending campus classes
- 9. Transportation cost as long as you can show why public transportation will not work for you. ( can be mileage or actual cost of car payment, car insurance, gas)- not if taking online courses
Things you need to gather to apply for a school PASS Plan (please fax information). If it is easier, send us all this information in a package (make sure you have copies).
- 1. PELL (fafsa) assistance: can apply using this link http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
- 2. Printout of courses you may have taken before that will be credited towards the degree you are trying to obtain. (from School)
- 3. Get a print-out from the school showing the courses enrolled in for this semester.
- 4. Estimates of books required for semester
- 5. Timeline of when classes will be taken and when you will graduate.
- 6. Cost of tuition/credit hour estimated cost till graduation
- 7. Financial Aid letter from school showing PELL assistance and another type of aid.
- 8. If you already have internet, copy of billing
- 9. We need you to contact your State Vocational Rehabilitation office and see if they are able to provide you with additional assistance. You will need to go through an orientation with them so make sure you do this right away. Please have them fax us your Individual Employment Plan (IEP) showing that your goal is feasible. This is not required but I will need to know a good reason if it is not included.
- 10. Copy of receipts of any items that you have already purchased for school
Please try to gather all this information. It will be needed before the PASS will be approved. Once we have received this information, we will send you the PASS form to fill out.
If you are going to school for four years, you are talking about assistance in the $25,000 to $40,000 range. From the amount of assistance that Social Security will be providing you through the PASS Plan, you can see why there is some work on your part.
Good Luck! If you run into problems let us know. It is for your future, so give it a shot!
