College bound kids?

I want all of my children to have the opportunity to go to college.  College is expensive.  Two of my children, now successful young women, have already graduated from college  (Woo hoo!).  Both of my daughters have student loans to repay.

My son, Davey is already planning on attending college just like the rest of his siblings. The Federal Student Aid Department has federal aid available for student with intellectual disabilities.  I hope these programs are still offered when Davey is ready to attend college in a few years.  Check out this LINK to learn more about your child's eligibility for the programs.

Home » Who Gets Aid » Students With Intellectual Disabilities

Students with intellectual disabilities may be able to get certain types of federal student aid.

If you have an intellectual disability, you may receive funding from the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and Federal Work-Study programs if you

• are enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a comprehensive transition and postsecondary (CTP) programfor students with intellectual disabilities at an institution of higher education (a college or career school) that participates in the federal student aid programs;
• are maintaining satisfactory academic progress; and
• meet the basic federal student aid eligibility requirements, except that you are not required to have a high school diploma or GED and are not required to be pursuing a degree or certificate.   

A CTP program for students with intellectual disabilities means a degree, certificate, or nondegree program that

• is offered by a college or career school and approved by the U.S. Department of Education;
• is designed to support students with intellectual disabilities who want to continue academic, career, and independent living instruction to prepare for gainful employment;
• offers academic advising and a structured curriculum; and
• requires students with intellectual disabilities to participate, for at least half of the program, in
• regular enrollment in credit-bearing courses with nondisabled students,
• auditing or participating (with nondisabled students) in courses for which the student does not receive regular academic credit,
• enrollment in noncredit-bearing, nondegree courses with nondisabled students, or
• internships or work-based training with nondisabled individuals.

CTP Programs Approved to Participate in the Federal Student Aid Programs*
SCHOOL	LOCATION
California State University	Fresno, California
Taft College	Taft, California
Southeastern University	Lakeland, Florida
Elmhurst College	Elmhurst, Illinois
Heartland Community College	Normal, Illinois
The College of New Jersey	Ewing, New Jersey
New York Institute of Technology	Old Westbury, New York
Western Carolina University	Cullowhee, North Carolina
Kent State University	Kent, Ohio
College of Charleston	Charleston, South Carolina
Clemson University	Clemson, South Carolina
University of South Carolina	Columbia, South Carolina
Coastal Carolina University	Conway, South Carolina
George Mason University	Fairfax, Virginia

*As of July 1, 2012

If you have questions about your eligibility, contact the financial aid office at your college or career school.

Be gentle.