[blindlaw] State Agency Tuition Policy Question

[Melanie Peskoe]

Dear List,
I’ve discovered that my state agency has a tuition assistance policy that caps at $5000 plus $300 for books annually. This amount is based on an instate undergraduate degree and is far less than an instate law degree. As far as I can tell, the federal regulations state that there must be an exception policy to this policy, but I’m unable to determine what the exception is based on. I have written a letter to the regional manager that requests an exception to the policy on the grounds that the amount is so low that it effectively makes the service unavailable to me. I am wondering if there is anyone on this list who is familiar with this process and who could help me determine how to prepare and proceed? I might be headed for a formal hearing and I have no idea what that entails, so any thoughts you all may have are certainly welcomed.
Thanks in advance,
Melanie