[Ohio-Talk] Governor's Office Press Release

Thu Aug 25 18:08:06 UTC 2022

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This is information that I received about this please let us know if you have any questions that we may assist with off list.

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) College Support Award
August 24, 2022 

We are pleased to announce that we will be investing additional funding to increase and expand our support for college students with disabilities for the 2022-2023 academic year.  

Why is OOD making these awards available to college students?
•	To provide additional financial support to college students with disabilities toward their educational expenses, regardless of financial needs testing.
•	To increase the number of college students with disabilities that OOD serves by broadening the support that can be provided.
•	To increase engagement with current college students served by OOD who wouldn’t typically qualify for financial assistance.

Who is eligible for an award?
•	College students enrolled in a 2-year, 4-year, or master’s degree program with a signed Individualized Plan for Employment could qualify for an award.  This award is not limited to students participating in Ohio College2Careers.

What postsecondary expenses can the award support?
•	Each student may receive up to $500 per semester (for a maximum of $1,000 for this academic year) for tuition expenses, regardless of financial need (i.e., EFC).   The award shall be paid directly to the school using the customary authorization process.  
•	If tuition and fees are fully covered by comparable benefits (e.g., grants, scholarships) then the award may be used for any remaining allowable educational expenses (e.g., books, supplies, required technology, etc. - see OOD Policy Postsecondary Training Procedure 80-VR-11-05 found here). 
•	All college students served must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and provide the Student Aid Report (SAR) to OOD per OOD’s Training Rule to be eligible for an award.

Additional Information
•	This award is for the 2022-2023 academic year. These funds may not be used for expenses incurred in a previous or future academic year.
•	The maximum award amount is $1,000 for the 2022-2023 academic year (Fall 2022-Summer 2023).  If a student attends two terms or semesters, then the award would be $500 per term. If the student attends three terms, then the award would be $333.33 per term, and so on. 
•	The tuition amount to be considered is based on the Least Cost school’s tuition per OOD Policy 80-VR-11-05.
•	All postsecondary training requirements and documentation (OOD Policy 80-VR-11-05) must be met by the student (e.g., participation, attendance, grade, financial).

Richard Payne,  President
National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
937/829/3368
Rchpay7 at gmail.com
The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.

-----Original Message-----
From: Ohio-Talk <ohio-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Eric Duffy via Ohio-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, August 24, 2022 10:55 AM
To: NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Eric Duffy <peduffy63 at gmail.com>
Subject: [Ohio-Talk] Governor's Office Press Release

I have no additional information other than what is pasted below. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 24, 2022

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Dan Tierney (Governor): 614-644-0957
Kim Jump (OOD): 614-623-2209
Jeff Robinson (Higher Ed): 614-752-9487

Governor DeWine Announces $2 Million Additional Support for College Students with Disabilities

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced today that he is investing an additional $2.1 million to assist Ohio college students with disabilities.

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) will provide all eligible college students with disabilities up to $1000, while participating in OOD services, to be used for tuition or educational expenses during the 2022-2023 school year.

“Higher education and a successful future should be available for all students,” said Governor DeWine. “By supporting college students with disabilities through services from OOD and its partners, they are afforded a greater opportunity of success as they transition from academic life to in-demand careers.”

Beginning with support in the state’s budget in 2019, OOD launched Ohio College2Careers <https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA4MjQuNjI2OTU5OTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL29vZC5vaGlvLmdvdi9hYm91dC11cy9wcm9ncmFtcy1hbmQtcGFydG5lcnNoaXBzL29oaW8tY29sbGVnZS0yLWNhcmVlcnM_ZmJjbGlkPUl3QVIwSFV6NGVYR2daZnpZbVlVd1lXTXhmNWdGbTlQQkNBeWY3bjdoN1N2NjBpYkRVc0hDNXpQUVVIZzgifQ.x472eFJQ9F6r3WBO_zAzeUDeCwo3xTxmE1Ht-_i2-Zc/s/1806696674/br/142996558446-l>to ensure students with disabilities have the support they need to complete their degree and/or credential, earn higher wages, and meet the demands of tomorrow’s labor market.

To qualify for financial support from OOD, college students with disabilities must apply and be eligible for OOD services. The student and family must also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. OOD will support eligible students with disabilities, in two-year, four-year, and graduate school programs, with up to $1,000 while participating in OOD services, distributed evenly each academic term of this school year, toward tuition or educational expenses regardless of the student’s financial status.

“The financial award is just one of many ways we can support college students with disabilities,” explained Kevin L. Miller, OOD Director. “We look forward to offering career guidance and helping students with disabilities overcome any barriers through technology, tools, resources, and connection to a large network of employer partners.”

“I often say that when it comes to postsecondary education, Ohio’s colleges and universities offer a diversity of opportunity, and that means opportunity for all students,” said Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Randy Gardner. “This additional support, along with the Ohio College2Careers program, helps to ensure that students with disabilities can continue forward to a successful future.”

OOD vocational rehabilitation counselors assist students with disabilities with career exploration and counseling, assistive technology, resume and interview preparation, and job placement. Staff with OOD’s business relations team connect college students with disabilities to internship and permanent employment opportunities.

To get started, students with disabilities can visit OODWorks.com  <https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA4MjQuNjI2OTU5OTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3Lm9vZHdvcmtzLmNvbS8ifQ.BtyhGI-23uor2FEcmq6EwWfn2LRPm5QhvGsOWXFT1kc/s/1806696674/br/142996558446-l>to explore vocational rehabilitation, take a self-assessment, and apply for services.

OOD is the state agency responsible for empowering Ohioans with disabilities through employment, disability determinations, and independence. OOD.Ohio.gov <https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA4MjQuNjI2OTU5OTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3Lk9PRC5PaGlvLkdvdiJ9.lUEwWz0qLCk_TmHV8QPLTZtkZ1zov9ZK_Dhg9-UMxVk/s/1806696674/br/142996558446-l>
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