Can I get unemployment if I quit to go to school - NYS Department of Labor eligibility question

Generally speaking, if you voluntarily quit your job without good cause, you won't be eligible for unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor. The key issue is that you need to be available for work and actively seeking employment to qualify for UI benefits. Full-time school attendance typically conflicts with the work availability requirement.

I tried this exact thing 3 years ago and got denied. NYS Department of Labor said I wasn't available for full-time work because of my class schedule. Even though I said I could work around classes they still rejected my claim.

There are some specific programs where you can receive unemployment while in training or education, but they're pretty limited. You'd need to look into approved training programs through NYS Department of Labor. Regular college enrollment on your own doesn't typically qualify. You might want to check if your degree program is on their approved list or if there are any vocational rehabilitation programs that could help.

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honestly the whole system is set up to screw people over who are trying to better themselves through education. like why shouldn't you be able to get benefits if you're improving your job prospects?? makes no sense

What about financial aid? Have you looked into grants and student loans? That might be a better path than trying to work around unemployment rules. Plus if you qualify for Pell grants you might not need as much other support.

You might want to look into work-study programs or part-time enrollment options. Some people I know have had success keeping a part-time job while taking classes part-time - it takes longer to finish but you maintain some income and work history. Also, some employers offer tuition assistance programs, so you could potentially stay at your current job and see if they'd help with school costs. It's worth asking HR about educational benefits before you quit entirely.

Another option to consider is looking into Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) or Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs if you qualify. These federal programs can sometimes provide income support while you're in approved training programs. Also, don't overlook community college options - they're often much cheaper than 4-year universities and many have flexible scheduling. Some even have specific career pathway programs that might qualify for state workforce development funding. It's worth meeting with a career counselor at your local One-Stop Career Center (you can find locations on the NY Department of Labor website) to explore all your options before making the jump.

I went through something similar about 5 years ago when I wanted to switch from retail to nursing. What ended up working for me was doing a hybrid approach - I found an evening/weekend nursing program at a community college and kept working reduced hours at my retail job. It took me longer to finish (about 3 years instead of 2), but I was able to maintain some income and avoid the unemployment benefits mess entirely. Some schools are really flexible with scheduling if you explain your situation. Also, once I got into the nursing program, I qualified for some healthcare workforce development grants that helped with tuition costs. Might be worth looking into whether your field of study has any specific funding programs available. The financial aid office at most schools can help you find grants and scholarships you might not know about.

Have you considered looking into your state's Displaced Worker Program or asking about educational waivers? I know someone who got approved for unemployment while attending a certified nursing program because it was considered job retraining for a high-demand field. The key was that the program had to be pre-approved by the state and directly related to improving employment prospects. You might also want to check if your college has any partnerships with local workforce development boards - sometimes they can help navigate the bureaucracy and even provide additional funding. Don't give up on all options just yet, but definitely exhaust the research before making any big moves. The worst thing would be to quit your job and then find out you have no income stream at all.

I work at the NY Department of Labor and wanted to clarify a few things about unemployment eligibility and education. While it's true that voluntarily quitting to attend school generally disqualifies you from regular unemployment benefits, there are some legitimate pathways worth exploring. First, check if your program qualifies under the Training Benefits provisions - certain approved training programs can allow you to collect benefits while enrolled. You'll need to apply for approval BEFORE you quit your job though. Second, look into the Trade Readjustment Allowances if your job loss is trade-related. Third, some community colleges have workforce development partnerships that can provide both training approval and additional funding. My advice: schedule an appointment with your local Career Center counselor BEFORE making any decisions. They can walk you through all available programs and help determine if your educational goals align with any approved training categories. Don't quit until you have a clear funding plan in place.