RE: [QUAD-L] college

[Steve Oldaker]

Luke...   I don't know where you live, but my experience with GA Vocational Rehab Services came down to the dog who barks loudest gets the most food.  Unfortunately, many Vocational Rehab counselors are over tasked and pressured to close cases as quickly as possible.  Your counselor should be advocating for your educational arrangements and the necessary funding.  If they are encouraging you to make arrangements and pledging to cover the expenses, get it in writing.  If he/she is not representing your interests adequately, contact their supervisor and address the issue.  If you get nowhere with the supervisor, speak to the supervisor's supervisor.  Most if not all states have a CAPs program (can't recall what the acronym represents) that provides ombudsman like services for Vocational Rehab clients who feel they are not receiving the assistance to which they are entitled.  It sucks that we must become self advocates in spite of the programs and the associated staff that are supposed to advocate for us.   Hang in there and be persistent.  It will pay off in the long run.  I speak from experience.  Vocational Rehab Services paid for my computer programming training including housing, transportation and tuition but not before substantial haggling with Vocational Rehab counselors and managers.  This included getting my case transferred from my initial completely incompetent counselor to an experienced counselor who is extremely knowledgeable about SCI since she also has a SCI.   Training and education is the ticket to a better life, especially if you have a disability like a SCI.   Good luck!   Steve From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, December 16, 2005 4:13 PM To: quad-list@eskimo.com Subject: [QUAD-L] college hey guys   i'm having some trouble getting financial aid for school.  i have recieved $2025 PELL Grant but it doesn't quite cover the tuition and fees.  i still need another $3000 to pay the dorm fee, food ticket, and books.  my only income is social security.  some people have told me that i shouldn't have any trouble getting it all paid for.  Voc. rehab is beating around the bush on telling me how everything is going to get paid for; they told me to go ahead and register for all my classes and put down the $150 deposit for the dormroom myself; then they say to just trust them.  so far they have explained nothing and given me no reason to trust them.  help please.  i need advice.   Luke