Post Secondary Education in South Carolina Post Secondary Education in South Carolina For Young Adults with an Intellectual Disability

Why should students with intellectual disabilities attend college? What do traditional college students want?  Freedom! Independence!  Expanded knowledge  Late night pizza  Enhanced speaking and writing skills  Life long friendships  Career training  Increased earning potential

Why should students with intellectual disabilities attend college? What do college students with disabilities want?  Freedom! Independence!  Expanded knowledge  Late night pizza  Enhanced speaking and writing skills  Life long friendships  Career Training  Increased earning potential  Experience college life – Rion Holcombe’s acceptanceRion Holcombe’s acceptance

Why attend college? Students with intellectual disabilities who attend even one year of postsecondary education are twice as likely to be employed and earn 73% more than those who do not.

The Bad News  Many K-12 professionals and parents don`t know about these programs.  There has been little or no preparation for these young people. They are not ready for college.  Tuition is high; Families did not plan

The Good news  Five colleges in South Carolina have programs for these young adults:  USC-- life  Clemson—  CoastalCarolina-  Winthrop - www2.winthrop.edu/transitioncollege  College of Charleston -reach.cofc.edu

National and International  In the United States there are over 200 colleges offering opportunities for the college experience on two and four year campus  Programs are cropping up all over Europe

A little History  USC first program started in 2008  Three Students  Today there are 100 students enrolled in the five colleges

Eligibility  Must Have an Intellectual Disability  Must have a desire to attend College  Must be able to self medicate  Typically reads below a fourth grade level  Application process with at least two references: not family members  Must have functional communication skills  Requirements and admission vary at each school

Funding  Tuition is a little higher than what traditional students pay  Pell Grants are available for approved programs  Needs based Grant from State of South Carolina  Some $ from Vocational Rehabilitation  No IDEA funds available  Work study opportunities  CTC Scholarships  NDSS Scholarships

Curriculum  Philosophy  Theater  Computer  Physical Education  Art  Education  Time management  Internships  Use Person-Centered Planning to identify appropriate courses

Goals and Outcomes  Continue Learning  Learn to Be independent  Be gainfully Employed  Develop Social Skills  Experience College  Increased maturity

Our Son  First graduate of Carolina Life 2011  Independent: lives in own home with little supervision  Employed  Driving  Buys groceries  Does laundry/maintains his lawn/cleans house  Pays bills  Goes to doctor/dentist for annual check-up on his own  Church on his own

LIFE  Story on how South Carolina became a leader in Post Secondary education for young adults with an intellectual disability  We need your help in continuing to enhance this opportunity for many more young people in South Carolina  Money for tuition is available on a needs basis through Federal Pell grants and State funds   Any Questions