Unemployment Benefits when you are a student?

Nurses General Nursing

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I am currently employed full time while attending nursing school (ADN program, average 9-10 credits a semester). I have been employed for 4 years now full time and returned to school in the Fall of 2009. My research job is likely going to be cut in 3 months due to a variety of factors, mostly lack of funding.

I am looking for another job (many applications filed already) but considered the possibility of collecting unemployment while finishing my last year of nursing school. I started doing some research and the fact that I am attending nursing school may disqualify me from receiving unemployment benefits. It has something to do with being unavailable to work, which is not true in my case. I can easily work 2nd or 3rd shift and/or weekends, just not a typical Monday - Friday 9-5 job. I have worked full time throughout school and planned on staying employed the entire time. I have excellent grades so far showing that work has not impacted my school performance.

I just bought my first home and have 2 children, and already live on a strict budget, so cutting expenses and living off one income is not realistic for my family.

Does anyone have any input on this situation? I am now really concerned at what will happen when my job is no longer available.

ETA: I have a previous Bachelors and large student loan burden, so living off financial aid is not a possibility.

I'm in Illinois. In 2003 I was taking grad classes (not for nursing) part time in the evenings when I was laid off from my full-time day job. When I filed for unemployment, I got a little bit of hassle for saying I was in school, but I ended up being able to collect. It was primarily about being able to show that you could legitably work full time in the same capacity (e.g. I was working 8-5 and had to be able to take a new 8-5 job, if offered). You also have to keep a record of your job search, in case they audit you. In Illinois at the time, I had to apply for a minimum of two jobs (in my field) per week. In other words, if I had decided to start taking day classes, I might have run into a problem because I would not have been able to "return to work in the same capacity." But I continued to take night classes (and even increased my school load), while looking for a full-time day job and collecting unemployment.

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Im in NJ and a similar situation happened to me...I was fired from my job in my second semester of nursing school...Since I was able to prove I was working full-time and going to school full time I was able to collect until I found a job after graduation...I even did an externship and was able to collect the difference between what I made and my unemployment payments...

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Specializes in Student.

I am in Ca, and am able to recieve unemployment. When I first applied for benefits, a mandatory

phone interview for eligibility was done. I let them know I was attending school, and if a Job became available,

I could switch my classes to evening. On the CA form, the only stipulation is that you don't BEGIN school. What the rep stressed in the interview was that my classes did not interfer with the ability to look for work, or that school and work hours would confilict.

I also fill out a questionaire every other week, and it asks very specific questions, so I make sure to ONLY answer what they ask.

If you are losing your job, through no fault of your own, you are eligible for Unemployment Benefits (at least in CA). in fact, if a program is under 1 year, it might be possible to get paid to go to school - Obviously it won't cover nursing school. but it shows the extent of the Job retraining available in CA.

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I was working full time and when I returned to school last summer they wouldnt let me step down to work part time and I was laid off. I now work part time 20-25 hours a week and collect partial unemployment. Thankfully in my state the benefits should last until Im done in another year.

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I don't know what state you are in but I have personal knowledge of attending school and qualifying for unemployment. It usually does depend upon your availability to work. This is even true if you are receiving student loans. Again, may depend upon which state you are in.

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You are allowed to collect unemployment while you are in school. In my state (CA), the claim form asks if you started a new school program. I am currently on unemployment and I always check no in that box because I have been continuously enrolled in school since I got laid off.

My best friend is also on unemployment and when she told them she was a part time student, they tried to disqualify her so now she lies. It's not fair that they will use any excuse to disqualify you from collecting. As long as you are able to work and find shifts that fit your schedule regardless of when you go to class, I don't see why they should have the right to deny you. I'm not recommending you lie of course, but she's been doing it for almost 2 years and she never got caught. ;)

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Specializes in Home health was tops, 2nd was L&D.

Does she actually know the fine is she gets caught? And if she gets any financial aid she is prime for getting caught. This is a big time lie,, not some little white lie and it is unfair to the people who can not collect because they tell the truth.. I bet they really need the money too.

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Specializes in Emergency.

This is a state specific question - so it would be in your best interest to talk it over with your local unemployment office and layout everything with them

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I am planning on calling on Monday, the office is only open from 8-12 on Fridays. I just hope it isn't like dealing with WIC or Childcare assistance where the employees were rude and unhelpful.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
You are allowed to collect unemployment while you are in school. In my state (CA), the claim form asks if you started a new school program. I am currently on unemployment and I always check no in that box because I have been continuously enrolled in school since I got laid off.

My best friend is also on unemployment and when she told them she was a part time student, they tried to disqualify her so now she lies. It's not fair that they will use any excuse to disqualify you from collecting. As long as you are able to work and find shifts that fit your schedule regardless of when you go to class, I don't see why they should have the right to deny you. I'm not recommending you lie of course, but she's been doing it for almost 2 years and she never got caught. ;)

And she'd better hope she never gets caught. Not only will she be in for a world of hurt from the state, it may affect her nursing career.

It's not fair that people steal from tax-payers.

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I will echo what others have said about it depending on what state you are in. I was laid off from a lab job last year, and went through many hoops to get unemployment. I was initially denied due to being in school, but then I filled out a form that allowed for a change in status. Once I was approved for unemployment, I was eligible to apply for something called Training benefits. This was because my work designation was in decline and nursing was in demand. Check with your unemployment office regarding any training benefits as that may be an option. In my case, it offers me an additional 26 week extension. It is possible to receive unemployment and go to school. Just make sure you fill out any paperwork they send you and follow all of the time frames VERY carefully. It can be very frustrating, but just dot your i's and cross your t's.

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