NY A09602

Changes the requirement for social services districts from "may" to "shall" make available vocational educational training and educational activities for participants

Specifies that educational activities must include high school education, high school equivalency preparation, basic and remedial education, English proficiency, financial literacy instruction, career advice, and up to four years of post-secondary education or part-time equivalent

Requires post-secondary education to be necessary for the participant's individual employment goal as stated in their employability plan and must relate directly to obtaining useful employment

Establishes "satisfactory academic progress" as maintaining a cumulative C average or equivalent, with waiver provisions for undue hardship caused by personal injury, illness, death of a relative, or other extenuating circumstances

Authorizes approval of two-year post-secondary degree programs that are necessary to attain employment goals and likely to lead to a degree, certification, and sustained employment, provided such approval does not jeopardize the state's federal work participation rate compliance