E-Mailed Memorandum for RSB Staff

August 21, 2006

Determining the costs for tuition/fees and maintenance (room and board) for private or out of state colleges and universities   

Recently there have been several questions raised about the interpretation of the RSB policy regarding payment for tuition and fees or maintenance at private or out of state colleges and universities.  I hope the following statements will help to clarify these policies.

Chapter 13(A)2 of the VR Policy Manual states that RSB may pay tuition and fees at private college or universities in Missouri and at colleges or universities outside of Missouri up to but not to exceed similar costs at the University of Missouri-Columbia (UMC).  If a deaf-blind eligible individual attends Gallaudet College, RSB may pay the full cost of tuition and fees at Gallaudet College. 

For computation of what RSB may pay at private colleges or universities in Missouri, or at any college or university outside of Missouri, tuition and fees at UMC shall include the resident per-credit hour educational fee, plus the recreation facility fee, the student activity fee, the information technology fee and the student health fee.  No other "specialized" fees shall be included in this cost, as they are applied only to specific programs or offerings which might or might not be appropriate/available at another college or university. 

Chapter 15(B)4B of the VR Policy Manual states that maintenance to support academic and vocational training for private and out of state institutions the maximum payment shall not exceed the cost of double occupancy/air charge with maximum meal plan at UMC unless a comparable academic or vocational program is not offered at in-state public institutions, in which case RSB’s payment shall not exceed actual costs.

To compute maximum maintenance payments for actual costs at the private and out of state institutions that offer academic or vocational programs not found at in-state public institutions, you should base the costs on the standard used by the university or college for in-state residence hall cost.  This may be the same standard as used for UMC, i.e., the cost of a double occupancy with air and maximum meal plan.  If the university or college has no residence halls for the student body, then the cost of lodging and meals would be based on a concept of reasonable costs.  The concept of reasonable cost is defined as the least expensive goods and services that meet the recipient’s needs. Consistent with the principle of informed choice, recipients may choose those goods and services, service provider, or procurement methods which, in the recipient’s judgment, best meet the recipient’s  needs. However, if the recipient’s  choice exceeds the least expensive alternative, that meets the recipient’s needs, then the recipient must take the responsibility to pay for the excess costs incurred.      

Of course RSB must ensure that an applicant or eligible individual who is dissatisfied with any determination made by personnel of the designated State unit that affects the provision of vocational rehabilitation services may request, or if appropriate, request through the individual’s representative, a timely review of that determination.  Also, a counselor may request an exception to a policy by citing the policy and providing the rationale for the request through the District Supervisor and Assistant Deputy Director. 

If you have any questions regarding the clarification please contact myself or Mike Merrick

Mark Laird, Assistant Deputy Director