You can appeal, but they can deny your benefits if you start any training before you get approval. Never take the word of the person you speak to on the phone. Remember they are low level, low paid, most likely recently hired and can be over ruled by anyone above them.
Always get names, and anything in writting.
If you do get approval ,never mark your claim form "yes" on the line about starting schooling. Your claim form will be flagged everytime, the system is automated.