TBT Student Eligibility Administration
Effective June 1, 1998

Who is Eligible as a Dependent?

See Eligible Dependents

The Plan's student eligibility requirements are applied in specific circumstances as follows:

1. TIME PERIODS: Two time periods per year have been established to more clearly define when student eligibility begins and ends.
   • Full-time students who qualify for the fall semester (or quarter) are eligible through the end of February (Time period October 1 through February 28 or 29).
   • Full-time students who qualify for the spring semester (or quarter) are eligible through the end of September (Time period – March 1 through September 30).
2. EARLY ENROLLMENT: For early spring or fall enrollment (before the above dates) eligibility will begin the first day of the month in which classes start (subject to receipt of certification of full-time student status).
3. TRANSITION FROM HIGH SCHOOL: Students who graduate high school after age 19 will be eligible until the end of the time period in which they graduate (subject to receipt of certification of full-time student status for the period after attainment of age 19).
4. DROP OUTS: Eligibility for a student who drops out of school, or fails to maintain full-time status, before the end of the term (quarter or semester), for reasons other than disability, will terminate no later than the last day of the month in which the student leaves school, or ceases to attend full-time (nine units).
   • If untimely notice is received by the Fund, termination will be retroactive.
5. DISABLED STUDENTS: Students who drop out due to disability qualify for continued eligibility for a maximum of two time periods beyond the time period in which the disability occurs. (The student must be fully qualified under Fund Rules when the disability occurs. Certification of full-time student status and a proof of disability claim form are required.)

   Example: A student is enrolled in the 1998 fall semester for nine units (or more) and is actually attending school, when he/she drops out due to disability. Subject to confirmation of continued disability, eligibility will continue through February 2000.

   Time period in which disability occurs: October 1, 1998 through February 28, 1999.
   First full time period: March 1, 1999 through September 30, 1999.
   Second full time period: October 1, 1999 through February 29, 2000.
   

   • When eligibility ends (if disability ends early): If the disability ends before the maximum eligibility period is reached, and the individual does not return to school, eligibility will continue through the end of the time period in which the disability ends.
   • Proof of disability: A proof of disability claim form is required for each time period.
   • COBRA: Loss of eligibility at the end of the second time period, or earlier, is a COBRA qualifying event.
6. CORRESPONDENCE COURSES: Correspondence courses are acceptable, so long as it can be determined that the student is enrolled in the equivalent of nine or more units (at a traditional on-campus educational facility). Study at trade/vocational schools is also acceptable, with the same unit equivalency requirement. In all instances, the institution must be accredited.

   If you have any questions, call the TBT Plan Administration Office at (510) 796-4676 or (800)533-0119.

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