[nfbmi-talk] wow found this in old archives

[joe harcz Comcast]

Man, we can sure see some illegal policy in writing on this issue. This is why receiving information in accessible formats is so important. Mostly these goofballs just go on say so.

But the issue here is not so much suggesting that one applies for scholarships of any sort but the mandate to do so in order to qualify. And what do you want to bet if one got a merit based scholarship then this counselor would have effectively seized it.

As an aside it was in not supporting the illegal policy in these regards that Chris Boone was illegally fired in Pennsylvania.

We need to know the history here lest we are doomed to repeat it.

Joe
From: "Allison Hilliker" <amhillik at oakland.edu>

To: "Fred's E-Mail" <f.wurtzel at comcast.net>

Cc: <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>; "Melody" <LindseyM at michigan.gov>

Subject: [nfb-talk] Fw: Renee's Letter

Date: Friday, January 23, 2004 12:13 AM

 

Fred and other NFBMI members,

 

I got this letter today in the mail from my commission counselor.  Is this allowed?  Can the commission do this?  Can they make people apply for ACB programs?

 

Curiously,

Allison.

 

----- Original Message ----- 

Subject: Renee's Letter

 

 

JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM GOVERNOR

 

STATE OF MICHIGAN

 

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR & ECONOMIC GROVV'I'H

 

MICHIGAN COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND

 

Michigan OeDartment of I.abo & IEc:noml(: Orowtlt

 

DAVID C. HOLLISTER DIRECTOR

 

January 20, 2004

 

Dear College-bound client:

 

If you are planning on attending college to work toward an associates or bachelors degree for the academic year of 2004-2005 you are required to apply for scholarships from the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), and American Council of the Blind (ACB).

 

I need a copy of their letter (ACB, NFB) stating they are in receipt of your application for your file. I need a copy of this letter from both organizations in your file before Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) can consider sponsorship for tuition, fees, books, supplies, and room and board (if necessary) for the academic year of 2004-2005.

 

Also, a reminder that along with the above, it is required that you apply for financial aid every academic year by filling out a FAFSA form from the college you are thinking of attending. You need to apply quite a few months in advance for the best chance of obtaining federal financial aid and you can find this application at the financial aid office of the college you wish to attend. I recommend you apply as soon as your income tax forms are completed since you will be using this data. I will need a copy of your acknowledgement letter or award letter from FAFSA also (this will come from your college/university's financial aid office on their letterhead). If you want MCB to pay for room and board, you also need to show that you applied for SSI by sending an official letter from them. If you are allowed SSI, you need to send a copy of the letter from the Social Security Administration that shows the exact amount you will be receiving on a monthly basis.

 

MCB sponsorship is provided as long as you have applied for both of the above scholarships, used the FAFSA to apply for federal financial aid, and we have proof of this in your file.

 

The deadline for the ACB (www.acb.org) application is March 1, 2004, the deadline for the NFB (www.nfb.org) application is March 31, 2004.

 

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to call me at 31356-1660. Best wishes.

 

Sincerely,

 

Renee Biondo, MA, MSW, CRC, LPC 

 

Rehabilitation Counselor