Financial Aid
Changes to the Higher Education Opportunity Act have now made it possible for students with intellectual disabilities to take advantage of federal financial aid, specifically grants and work study funds, to help pay for college. Previously, students needed to be fully matriculating and attending college at least half-time to be eligible for financial aid, as well as meet financial need guidelines. Although the financial need guidelines still apply to students with intellectual disabilities, now if a student is attending an approved Comprehensive Transition Program, they can apply for financial aid to assist them in paying for the costs of attending that program.
Click HERE to see the most updated list of programs currently approved as a Comprehensive Transition Program.
Think College LIVE module on Financial Aid, featuring an interactive checklist for Applying to be a Comprehensive Transition Postsecondary Program (CTP).
Think College Webinar on Federal Financial Aid for Students with ID, presented by Ian Foss of the US DOE Financial Services Administration, October 12, 2011
Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Programs and Title IV Federal Student Aid Eligibiility(Powerpoint handout): Presentation by David Bergeron, US Department of Education and Ian Foss, Financial Services Administration, June 9, 2011
Guidance from US Department of Education on Applying to become a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP), released June 2011
Part 1
Part 2
Additional Resources related to Financial Aid
- Guidance related to Gainful Employment, released May 2011
- Financial Aid Requirements and Definition of Eligible Programs (PDF)
- Application Process for Institutions to Recieve Financial Aid for Students
- Attending Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Programs (Word document)
- Link to Electronic Application for Approval to Participate in Title IV Federal Student Aid Programs (E-App)
- PDF version of the E-Application
- Disability.gov: links to resources on financial aid for students with disabilities
- The Eligibility of Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP)Programs to Participate in Federal Student Aid Programs: The Process and Lessons Learned (PPT) Presentation by David Bergeron, Judy Shanley, Barbara Murray, Rebecca Daley at 2011 State of the Art Conference on PSE and Students with ID
