Children can be included in the Special Guaranty as full-time students if they are age 18 through age 19 and in full-time school attendance in elementary or secondary school. Children are in full-time school attendance if they are participating in a course of study lasting at least 13 weeks for at least 20 hours per week. These courses may be at educational institutions or by home schooling approved by the states in which the students live.
Student benefits are explained in more detail in booklet G-316 "Railroad Retirement Benefits For Students Age 18-19 in Elementary or Secondary School" .