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Postsecondary Education

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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.

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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

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Create a College Foundation of North Carolina account and explore the resources on this site.
Who can help: Individual, Family, and School/IEP Team, EIPD
Approximate age: 16
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College Foundation of NC College Foundation of NC :
https://www.cfnc.org/
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.
Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team
Approximate age: When applying to PSE programs
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Complete applications and await admissions decisions. Consider applying to multiple programs in case the student does not get into their top choice.
Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team
Approximate age: Depends on admissions window (see website for program of choice) and desired year of entry
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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).
Who can help: School/IEP Team
Approximate age: During the last year before graduation
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Supported decision making action plan Supported decision making action plan :
https://worktogethernc.com/action-plans/making-choices-is-hard/supported-decision-making-action-plan/
If applicable, make arrangements for accommodations to take college entrance exams.
Who can help: School/IEP Team
Approximate age: 16-17
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Accommodations for college entrance testing Accommodations for college entrance testing :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/accommodations-for-college-entrance-testing/
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Research student wellness programs at identified programs of interest (i.e., for mental health, study/organizational skills).
Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team, Postsecondary Program
Approximate age: Year before entry to Post-secondary
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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.
Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team, Postsecondary Program
Approximate age: 16-18
Resources:
Accessing accommodations after HS Accessing accommodations after HS :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/help-your-young-adult-learn-about-accessing-accommodations-after-high-school/
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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.
Who can help: Individual, Family, and School/IEP Team, Managed Care Organization, EIPD
Approximate age: Year before entry to Post-secondary
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Adult services action plan Adult services action plan :
https://worktogethernc.com/action-plans/how-can-i-make-sure-the-transition-to-adulthood-goes-smoothly/how-can-i-make-sure-the-transition-to-adulthood-goes-smoothly-adult-services-action-plan/
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.
Who can help: Individual and family, School/IEP Team/School financial aid officer or guidance counselor
Approximate age: 1-2 years before entry to Postsecondary
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Paying for college resources Paying for college resources :
https://thinkcollege.net/think-college-news/paying-for-college-resources
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NC Promise NC Promise :
https://www.northcarolina.edu/future-students/nc-promise/
Attend open houses, college fairs, virtual or in-person tours of postsecondary options--consider accessibility of the physical environment.
Who can help: Individual, Family, and School/IEP Team
Approximate age: 1-3 years before entry to postsecondary program
Resources:
Self examination: how inclusive is your campus? Self examination: how inclusive is your campus? :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/self-examination-how-inclusive-is-your-campus/
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Self advocate guide to choosing a PSE program Self advocate guide to choosing a PSE program :
https://boggscenter.rwjms.rutgers.edu/resources/publications/self-advocates-guide-to-choosing-a-post-secondary-program
Work on study skills and organizational habits (i.e., using time management tools).
Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team
Approximate age: As early as possible & ongoing
Resources:
Skills for college success Skills for college success :
https://thinkcollege.net/think-college-news/foundational-skills-for-college-and-career-success
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Identify the postsecondary option(s) of interest, based on career and life goals. Work with support team to ensure admissions criteria are met.
Who can help: Individual, Family, and School/IEP Team, EIPD
Approximate age: 14-16
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Think College search Think College search :
https://thinkcollege.net/college-search
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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.
Who can help: Individual, Family, and School/IEP Team, EIPD
Approximate age: Start at 14 and ongoing
Resources:
NC PSE Programs NC PSE Programs :
https://www.med.unc.edu/cidd/wp-content/uploads/sites/1401/2024/05/12b.-NCPSEA-Program-Information-Grid.pdf
College Search Questions College Search Questions :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/conducting-a-college-search-questions-to-ask-college-programs/
Self advocate guide to choosing a PSE program Self advocate guide to choosing a PSE program :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/self-advocates-guide-to-choosing-a-postsecondary-program/
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Refer to the employment action plan to clarify career interests and goals, which will inform postsecondary goals.
Who can help: Individual, Family, and School/IEP Team, EIPD
Approximate age: As early as possible
Resources:
Employment action plan Employment action plan :
https://worktogethernc.com/action-plans/what-opportunities-are-available-after-high-school/what-opportunities-are-available-after-high-school-employment/
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Identify a representative from chosen postsecondary option to attend IEP meetings, if possible.
Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team
Approximate age: Year before entry to Post-secondary
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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).
Who can help: Individual, School/IEP Team
Approximate age: 14
Resources:
Transition of Students With Disabilities To Postsecondary Education Transition of Students With Disabilities To Postsecondary Education :
https://www.ed.gov/teaching-and-administration/supporting-students/transition-of-students-with-disabilities-to-postsecondary-education-a-guide-for-high-school-educators
Navigating the High School to College Transition Navigating the High School to College Transition :
https://www.uscareerinstitute.edu/online-high-school/navigating-the-high-school-to-college-transition
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Attend open houses, college fairs, virtual or in-person tours of postsecondary options.
Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team
Approximate age: Start at 14 and ongoing
Resources:
NC virtual college fair NC virtual college fair :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZU7CXmuT8dc&list=PLMQcjNK-aUMTgp-Xbzbf7D9tmssAs2Ou8
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Become familiar with parental rights regarding the young person’s educational records, as outlined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Who can help: Family
Approximate age: Year before entry to Post-secondary
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NC Parental Rights and Responsibilities NC Parental Rights and Responsibilities :
https://www.dpi.nc.gov/parent-rights-handbook/download
Review how high school course of study could impact the student’s postsecondary options (i.e., certificate versus diploma pathway).
Who can help: School/IEP Team
Approximate age: 13 (Middle School) and ongoing
Resources:
HS graduation requirements HS graduation requirements :
https://www.dpi.nc.gov/districts-schools/high-school-graduation-requirements#Future-ReadyCourseofStudy22creditsStudentsenteringGrade9in2021-2022-1951
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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.
Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team
Approximate age: Start in middle school and ongoing
Resources:
NC postsecondary education programs NC postsecondary education programs :
https://worktogethernc.com/services/?_services_type=post-secondary-education
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What’s Next: College!? Guide What’s Next: College!? Guide :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/whats-next-college-a-guided-exploration-of-nc-inclusive-postsecondary-options-for-students-with-disabilities/

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