Section 703.230 - TAFDC Dependent Child: 18 Years of Age(A)Requirements. To remain eligible as a dependent, a child who has reached his or her 18th birthday shall:(1) Be a full-time student in grade 12 or below in a school not beyond the secondary level or in a full-time vocational or technical training program of the equivalent level designed to lead to gainful employment; and(2) Be reasonably expected to graduate or complete the course of studies or training before reaching his or her 19th birthday. Eligibility shall continue through the end of the month in which the student graduates, up to his or her 19th birthday.
(B)Student Status.(1)Requirements. A child 18 years of age is considered a student if he or she is attending a full-time course of training or study.(2)Definition of Full-time. Full-time school attendance is defined as 30 hours per week or the full-time schedule determined by the school.(3)Verification. (a) Verification of full-time student status must be verified by one of the following:1. a letter from a school authority;2. a notice of grades for the current semester, provided the notice is dated within 45 days of the application date or eligibility review interview date; or3. any other relevant document from the school and/or instructor.(b) During the summer months, if the verification listed in 106 CMR 703.230(B)(3)(a) is unavailable, full-time student status may be verified by:1. a report card from the last semester of the previous school year; or2. a course schedule or other notice of attendance for the next school year. If the documents listed in 106 CMR 703.230(B)(3) are unavailable, and if the worker is unable to obtain documentation through collateral contact, the self-declaration of the student may verify full-time status.
(C)Gainful Employment.(1)Requirements. A course of study prepares a student for gainful employment if the school, institution or program is accredited or approved and the course leads to a certificate or diploma. (a) If in school, the student must be in a supervised educational or vocational training program approved by the school district or by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The program may be part of the regular school program or one specially arranged for the individual child's educational or vocational needs.(b) If in a vocational or technical training program, the program must be approved by DESE.(2)Verification. If verification is necessary, the accreditation or approval of the school, institution or program is verified by school or institution documents or other appropriate material.(D)Date of Expected Graduation. The requirement that a dependent child who is 18 years of age can reasonably be expected to graduate or finish the course of study or training before his or her 19th birthday shall be verified by a statement from the appropriate school authority giving the child's expected date of graduation or completion of the course.Adopted by Mass Register Issue 1360, eff. 3/9/2018.