Can I get NY unemployment if I quit my job to go back to school? Urgent help needed

Unfortunately, in New York State, voluntarily quitting your job to attend school generally doesn't qualify you for unemployment benefits. To be eligible for NY unemployment, you must be: 1. Out of work through no fault of your own (layoff, business closure, etc.) 2. Ready, willing, and able to work immediately 3. Actively seeking work each week Attending school full-time typically disqualifies you on points 2 and 3, and quitting voluntarily disqualifies you on point 1. You might want to look into financial aid, scholarships, or student loans for your nursing program instead.

The previous answer is mostly correct, but there are a few exceptions worth knowing about. If you can prove that you're still able to work full-time while attending school, you *might* qualify. But you'd need to show that: - Your school schedule doesn't interfere with standard work hours - You're actively looking for work - You're available for immediate employment Also, if your employer was genuinely creating a hostile work environment or violating labor laws with their scheduling practices, that could potentially qualify as "good cause" for leaving. But just not accommodating your school schedule usually isn't enough for "good cause" in NY.

This happened to me back in 2023!!! I quit my job to go to paralegal school and got DENIED unemployment. Total BS if you ask me since I'd been working and paying taxes for like 7 years before that. The system is rigged against people trying to better themselves. Good luck with nursing school though!

You might qualify under very specific circumstances: 1. If you're in a state-approved training program (some nursing programs qualify) 2. If you can prove you had to quit because of a significant change in your hiring agreement 3. If you're only attending part-time and can still work full-time But honestly, based on what you've described, it's a longshot. If you really want to know for sure, you should try to speak with an actual NYSDOL agent. Getting through to them can be nearly impossible though. I was in a similar situation last month and finally got through using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They have a system that calls for you and gets you through to an agent without the endless wait. Helped me get an actual answer from a real person instead of guessing. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

evry1 saying u cant get benefits is WRONG!! i quit my job when i went back to school for IT 2 yrs ago and still got benefits. u just need to tell them ur looking for part time work while in school. they dont check that hard tbh

Have you thought about asking your former employer if they'd be willing to say it was a layoff instead of a quit? My brother-in-law's boss did that for him when he went back to school. Not all employers will do it, but some are understanding if you've been a good employee. Worth a shot maybe?

Thanks everyone for the advice. I'm going to look into whether my program qualifies as state-approved training, but I'm not getting my hopes up. I definitely don't want to commit fraud or lie on my application! I think I'll focus on finding a part-time job that works with my schedule and applying for more financial aid for school.

did u check if ur school has emergency funds for students? my community college had grants for people in ur exact situation. worth asking the financial aid office!

I work in HR and deal with unemployment claims regularly. Just wanted to add that NY does have a specific provision for "approved training" programs, but they're pretty strict about what qualifies. The training has to be approved by NYSDOL beforehand, and you typically need to apply for this approval while you're still employed, not after you quit. For nursing programs, you'd need to check if your specific school/program is on their approved list. Also, even if approved, you still need to be available for work during non-school hours and actively job searching. It's definitely worth checking the NYSDOL website or calling them directly rather than assuming either way.

I'm in a similar situation - just started a medical assistant program and had to leave my retail job because they wouldn't accommodate my clinical rotation schedule. From what I've learned through this process, the key thing is whether your program qualifies for NY's "approved training" benefit. You can check the NYSDOL website under "Training Benefits" to see if your nursing school is listed. Even if it's not pre-approved, some programs can get retroactive approval if they meet certain criteria (like being for a high-demand occupation - which nursing definitely is right now). I'd also suggest looking into your school's work-study programs or seeing if any local hospitals have student aide positions that work around class schedules. Many healthcare facilities are pretty flexible with nursing students since they want to recruit you after graduation!

I went through something similar when I started my RN program in 2023. Unfortunately, quitting voluntarily for school usually disqualifies you from regular unemployment benefits in NY. However, there are a few things worth exploring: 1. Check if your nursing program qualifies for NY's Training Benefits Program - some healthcare programs do get approved 2. Look into your school's emergency financial aid - most nursing programs have funds specifically for students in financial hardship 3. Consider applying for work-study positions at your school or local hospitals that work around clinical schedules 4. Many healthcare facilities hire nursing students as patient care technicians or unit clerks with flexible scheduling The good news is that nursing has incredible job prospects right now, so this temporary financial strain will likely pay off big time once you graduate. I'd also recommend connecting with other nursing students in your program - they often share info about part-time healthcare jobs that understand student schedules. Good luck with your program!

I'm a nursing student who went through a similar situation last year! One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is that some nursing programs qualify for what's called "Section 599" training benefits in NY. These are different from regular unemployment and specifically designed for people entering high-demand healthcare fields. You have to apply through NYSDOL and show that your program leads to employment in a shortage occupation (which nursing definitely is). Also, don't overlook applying to be a CNA or home health aide while in school - many agencies will hire you part-time and work around your clinical schedule. The experience is super valuable for your nursing studies, and some hospitals will even hire you as a student nurse extern once you're further along in the program. I ended up making more per hour as a student extern than I did at my previous job! Definitely explore all the financial aid options at your school too - there are often nursing-specific scholarships and grants that don't get fully utilized. Your financial aid office might also know about local healthcare organizations that sponsor nursing students in exchange for work commitments after graduation.

I'm currently a nursing student in my second year and wanted to share some additional resources that might help! Beyond the Section 599 benefits that Omar mentioned (which are definitely worth pursuing), you should also check with your nursing program's career services office - many have partnerships with local hospitals that offer "nurse scholar" programs where they provide financial support during school in exchange for a work commitment after graduation. Also, look into becoming a patient care associate (PCA) or certified nursing assistant (CNA) if you haven't already - many hospitals will fast-track nursing students through their CNA certification and then hire you with very flexible scheduling. I work weekends as a PCA and it covers most of my living expenses while giving me invaluable hands-on experience. One last tip: reach out to your local nurse residency programs early. Many hospitals are so desperate for new nurses that they're offering sign-on bonuses and even retroactive financial assistance to students who commit to working there after graduation. The nursing shortage is real and hospitals are willing to invest in students like us! Good luck with your program - you made the right choice even if the finances are tight right now.

I'm a recent nursing school graduate who dealt with this exact situation! While the unemployment route is tricky (as others have explained well), I wanted to share a few additional options that really helped me financially: 1. **Hospital tuition assistance programs** - Many hospitals offer upfront tuition assistance for nursing students in exchange for a work commitment after graduation. I got $15k from my local hospital system this way. 2. **Emergency nursing scholarships** - Check with your state nursing association and local nursing foundations. There are tons of emergency scholarships specifically for nursing students facing financial hardship that go unused every year. 3. **Nursing student loan forgiveness programs** - If you're willing to work in underserved areas after graduation, programs like NURSE Corps can forgive significant portions of your loans. 4. **Per diem hospital work** - Once you get some clinical experience under your belt, many hospitals hire nursing students for per diem shifts (you pick when you work). The pay is usually higher than regular part-time positions. The financial stress is real, but nursing school is absolutely worth it. The job market is incredible right now and starting salaries have gone up significantly. You made a smart long-term decision even if it's tough right now!

I'm a former NYSDOL claims specialist and wanted to clarify a few things that have come up in this thread. The advice about Section 599 training benefits is absolutely correct - this is a lesser-known program that can provide benefits to people in approved training programs for high-demand occupations, including nursing. However, there are strict eligibility requirements and you typically need to apply before leaving your job. That said, since you've already quit, your best bet is to apply anyway and see if your program qualifies for retroactive approval. I've seen it happen, especially for healthcare programs given the current shortage. When you call NYSDOL (and yes, it's nearly impossible to get through), specifically ask about "training benefits under Section 599" rather than regular unemployment - you'll get transferred to a different department that handles these cases. Also, be completely honest about why you left your job. Saying your employer wouldn't accommodate your school schedule isn't necessarily disqualifying if you can show the schedule conflict made it impossible to continue working. The key is demonstrating you had no reasonable alternative. Document everything about your attempts to work with your employer before quitting - this could help establish "good cause" for leaving. Good luck with nursing school - we desperately need more nurses right now!

As a recent career changer myself, I want to add that you should also look into your nursing program's student emergency fund - most schools have discretionary funds for exactly these situations but don't advertise them well. I had to ask three different offices before finding out my school had a $2,000 emergency grant available for students facing unexpected financial hardship. Also, consider reaching out to local nurses' unions or professional nursing organizations in your area. Many have mentorship programs that connect students with working nurses, and sometimes these connections lead to job opportunities or financial advice you won't find elsewhere. The New York State Nurses Association might have resources specifically for students in your situation. One more thing - if you do end up needing to work while in school, look into hospital registration or unit clerk positions. They often have evening/weekend shifts that work around clinical schedules, and the healthcare environment exposure is valuable for your studies. Some hospitals will even help pay for your nursing education once you're an employee, even in a non-nursing role. The financial stress is real, but you're investing in one of the most secure, in-demand careers right now. Every nurse I know says it was worth the temporary sacrifice!

I'm a nursing instructor and wanted to add some perspective from the academic side. First, congratulations on getting into nursing school - it's incredibly competitive right now! Regarding unemployment benefits, while the Section 599 training benefits others mentioned are worth pursuing, I'd also encourage you to explore your school's work-study opportunities specifically. Many nursing programs have partnerships with clinical sites where students can work as student nurses or patient care techs with schedules built around your class and clinical rotations. Also, don't overlook federal work-study if you qualify - these positions are often more flexible than regular employment and the income doesn't count against your financial aid eligibility the same way other employment does. One resource many students miss is the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) scholarships and loan repayment programs. They offer substantial financial support for nursing students, especially if you're willing to work in underserved areas after graduation. The application deadlines vary throughout the year, so it's worth checking their website regularly. Finally, many of my students have found success with weekend CNA positions at nursing homes or assisted living facilities. The experience directly supports your coursework, and these facilities are often desperate for weekend coverage. Some will even help you get your CNA certification if you don't have it yet. You made a smart career choice - nursing job security and salary potential are excellent right now. The temporary financial strain will be worth it!

I'm a nursing student who went through a very similar situation last year! While the unemployment benefits are unlikely to work out (as others have explained well), I wanted to share some immediate action steps that really helped me: **This week:** - Contact your nursing program's financial aid office about emergency grants (most have them but don't advertise) - Check if your program qualifies for NY's Section 599 training benefits - call NYSDOL specifically about this, not regular unemployment - Apply for your CNA certification if you don't have it - many hospitals will fast-track nursing students **Longer term:** - Look into hospital "nurse scholar" or tuition assistance programs - they'll pay for school in exchange for a work commitment after graduation - Check HRSA scholarships and your state nursing association for emergency funding - Consider patient care tech or unit clerk positions at hospitals - they usually have flexible scheduling for students The financial stress is real, but nursing has incredible job security and salary growth right now. I actually ended up making more as a student employee at a hospital than at my previous job, plus got valuable experience for my studies. You made a smart long-term decision even though it's tough right now. Feel free to reach out if you want more specific info about any of these options!