Your agency must approve a student’s education or training program before authorizing child care assistance for education outside of an Employment Plan for TY, TYE and BSF subprograms and for CCAP Mental Health Support for MFIP Child Only Families.

Education is NOT an authorized activity outside of an Employment Plan for the MFIP child care subprogram. Exception: To receive child care for education, a caregiver that receives CCAP Mental Health Support for MFIP Child Only Families must have an approved education plan outside of an Employment Plan. A caregiver that receives an MFIP Child Only Grant is not eligible to create an Employment Plan.

Approving education plans

The criteria for approving education or training programs outside of an Employment Plan is in each agency’s county and tribal child care fund plan. In general:

Documentation approving the education or training program must be included in the case file. Documentation may include an agency form showing approval, written communication such as an email indicating approval, or a case note stating that the education or training program has been approved.

Once an education plan is approved, it is considered approved through the family’s 12-month eligibility period, including if a family moves to a new county or tribe. If a family moves to a new county or tribe during their 12-month eligibility period, at redetermination the agency must review that the education plan meets their agency’s county and tribal child care fund plan education criteria. See Chapter 4.24 (Moving Between Counties).

Terminating education plans

After an education plan is approved, it cannot be terminated during the family’s 12-month eligibility period. See Chapter 8 (12-Month Eligibility Period). At redetermination, a CCAP agency is allowed to terminate approval for a family’s education plan if:

High school diploma and GED high school equivalency diploma

Time limits

Do not apply specific time limits if the student is maintaining satisfactory progress as determined by the institution.

Waiting list priority

If your county or tribe has a waiting list for BSF, a student who does not have a GED or high school diploma must be participating in an education program to be included in Priority 1 of the waiting list. See Chapter 4.3.12.9 (BSF Priorities).

If your county or tribe has a waiting list for BSF, a student under 21 years of age who needs child care assistance to attend a GED or high school diploma program, should be served under MFIP Child Care for Student Parents. See Chapter 4.3.15 (MFIP Child Care for Student Parents).

MFIP Child Care for Student Parents

To be eligible for MFIP Child Care for Student Parents, the parent must be pursuing a high school or general equivalency diploma (GED). The parent must have an approved education plan for their high school or GED program.

Other activities allowed under this program

Parents pursuing remedial or basic skills courses are not eligible for MFIP Child Care for Student Parents, unless those courses are part of their high school or GED program. Student parents on a school break, including summer breaks, retain their status as a student parent if they are expected to return to school following the break.

Care may be authorized for the high school or GED activity and other activities that meet BSF authorized activity requirements. Refer to Chapter 9 for more information about authorizing child care.

Basic or remedial education

Remedial or basic skills courses include Adult Basic Education and English as a Second Language.

Time limits

Do not apply specific time limits if the student is maintaining satisfactory progress as determined by the institution.

Waiting list priority

If your county or tribe has a waiting list, a student who needs remedial or basic skill courses must be participating in an education program to be included in Priority 1 of the waiting list. See Chapter 4.3.12.9 (BSF Priorities).

Post-secondary programs

Post-secondary programs can include many different types of education programs. Examples include associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, certificate programs, and technical degrees.

Time limits

Do not apply more restrictive time limits for the student than those established by the educational institution. Do not authorize child care for more than the time necessary for a part-time or full-time student to complete the requirements the institution determines necessary for the degree. Require the student to provide documentation from the institution regarding credits and hours needed to complete the program.

Waiting list priority

If your county or tribe has a waiting list, a student who wants to pursue post-secondary education will be included in Priority 5 of the waiting list unless they meet conditions of a higher priority. See Chapter 4.3.12.9 (BSF Priorities).

Post-baccalaureate education

Post baccalaureate education includes education programs beyond a bachelor’s degree, such as a master’s program. If someone has obtained a bachelor’s degree, do not approve an education plan for additional degrees or education beyond a bachelor’s degree except for continuing education units, certification or coursework needed to update credentials to obtain or retain employment.

Legal authority

Minnesota Statutes 142E.12, subd. 3,
Minnesota Statutes 142E.01, subd. 26,
Minnesota Statutes 142E.04, subd. 3,
Minnesota Rules 3400.0020, subps. 39a & 40
Minnesota Rules 3400.0040