What opportunities are available after high school: Postsecondary Education

Action Plans > What opportunities are available after high school: Postsecondary Education Action Plan

Postsecondary Education Action Plan

Learning is lifelong and doesn’t end with high school. Postsecondary education settings include universities and colleges, as well as trade, continuing education, and vocational schools.

How To Get Started: To create a custom action plan for yourself or for someone you support:

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Acronym Key: IDEA=Individuals with Disabilities Education Act | ADA=Americans with Disabilities Act | CTP=Comprehensive Transition Program | IEP=Individualized Education Program | FERPA=Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act | EIPD= Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities | MCO= Managed Care Organization | PSE=Postsecondary Education

Continuing education after high school

Work on study skills and organizational habits (i.e., using time management tools).

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team

Resources: Skills for college success

Explore options for postsecondary education, training, or continuing education. As a starting point, check out Work Together NC’s postsecondary education program library and Exploration Guide.

Approximate Age: Start in middle school and ongoing | Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team

Resources: What’s next college guide NC postsecondary education programs

Review how high school course of study could impact the student’s postsecondary options (i.e., certificate versus diploma pathway).

Approximate Age: 13 (Middle School) and ongoing | Who can help: School/IEP Team

Resources: HS graduation requirements

Become familiar with the key differences between high school and college (I.e., IDEA vs ADA, accommodations vs modifications, IEP vs person centered planning, changes in expectations).

Approximate Age: 14 | Who can help: Individual, School/IEP Team

Resources: High school to college transition

Attend open houses, college fairs, virtual or in-person tours of postsecondary options.

Approximate Age: Start at 14 and ongoing | Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team

Resources: NC virtual college fair

Become familiar with parental rights regarding the young person’s educational records, as outlined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Approximate Age: Year before entry to postsecondary program | Who can help: Family

Resources: Parent rights handbook

Identify a representative from chosen postsecondary option to attend IEP meetings, if possible.

Approximate Age: Year before entry to postsecondary program | Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team

Determining which postsecondary programs to apply to

Refer to the employment action plan to clarify career interests and goals, which may inform postsecondary goals.

Approximate Age: As early as possible | Who can help: Individual, Family, and School/IEP Team, EIPD

Resources: Employment action plan

Compare program admissions criteria, location, cost, residential options, # years, and other factors that may influence decision making. Consider which options are most aligned with the individual’s goals.

Approximate Age: Start at 14 and ongoing | Who can help: Individual, Family, and School/IEP Team, EIPD

Resources: NC PSE programs College search questions Self advocates guide to choosing a PSE program

Identify the postsecondary option(s) of interest, based on career and life goals. Work with support team to ensure admissions criteria are met.

Approximate Age: 14-16 | Who can help: Individual, Family, and School/IEP Team, EIPD

Resources: Think college search

Create a College Foundation of North Carolina account and explore the resources on this site.

Approximate Age: 16 | Who can help: Individual, Family, and School/IEP Team, EIPD

Resources: College foundation of NC

Attend open houses, college fairs, virtual or in-person tours of postsecondary options–consider accessibility of the physical environment.

Approximate Age: 1-3 years before entry to postsecondary program | Who can help: Individual, Family, and School/IEP Team

Resources: Self advocates guide to choosing a PSE program Self examination: how inclusive is your campus

Research financial aid options, such as FAFSA (if program is a CTP), Vocational Rehabilitation, NC Legislative Scholarships, NC Promise, Ruby’s Rainbow, and other individualized scholarship programs.

Approximate Age: 1-2 years before entry to Postsecondary | Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team, School Financial Aid Officer or Guidance Counselor

Resources: NC promise Paying for college resources

Finding resources in postsecondary education

Explore how adult services can be used in a postsecondary setting (i.e., vocational rehabilitation services, NC Medicaid Waiver or 1915(i) services). See Adult Services action plan for more details.

Approximate Age: Year before entry to Post-secondary | Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team, Managed Care Organization, EIPD

Resources: Adult services action plan

Gather more information on support services offered at programs of interest (i.e., disability services, peer support groups). Connect with the accessibility and disability support services office when visiting college campuses or vocational programs.

Approximate Age: 16-18 | Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team, Postsecondary Program

Resources: Accessing accommodations after HS

Research student wellness programs at identified programs of interest (i.e., for mental health, study/organizational skills).

Approximate Age: Year before entry to Post-secondary | Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team, Postsecondary Program

Completing applications

If applicable, make arrangements for accommodations to take college entrance exams.

Approximate Age: 16-17 | Who can help: School/IEP Team

Resources: Accommodations for college entrance testing

Collect/request final copies of all necessary financial and disability documents for applications/ accommodations after high school (I.e, Most recently updated IEP, Medical documentation of disability, Power of attorney & other Guardianship documentation)

Approximate Age: During the last year before graduation | Who can help: School/IEP Team

Resources: Supported decision making action plan

Complete applications and await admissions decisions. Consider applying to multiple programs in case the student does not get into their top choice.

Approximate Age: Depends on admissions window (see website for program of choice) and desired year of entry | Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team

Develop “back up” plans in case the student is not admitted to their desired PSE program or any programs. Consider ways a “gap year” could be used to further prepare for PSE.

Approximate Age: When applying to PSE programs | Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team

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Disclaimer: These action plans are for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be comprehensive, and should not be taken as legal advice. Services and programs mentioned may vary by county. Please consult with professionals with expertise in this topic area for guidance specific to you, your family or student/client’s situation. The “approximate age” listed with each item is a general recommendation for when to get started on an action item; however, everyone has a different timeline and for many of the items, it’s never too late to take action! Have a suggested correction or addition to this checklist? Email worktogethernc@med.unc.edu.