Section 18. Notwithstanding 106 CMR 203.400(A)(2)(i) or any general or special law to the contrary, an education or training activity for the purpose of meeting the work requirement shall be defined as any 4–year degree granting higher education institution, community college or certificate program, not to exceed 24 months, or a vocational education program, not to exceed 12 months. If the education or training activity is less than the hours per week required to meet the work requirement, the recipient shall perform other work program activities to total the required hours per week.