College Handbook Getting College Expenses Paid Rhena’ Jackson

Introduction There are actual five parts to the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services:  Disability Services exams the individual’s need for Social Security Disability or Survivors Insurance;  Early Child Intervention from birth to 10 years of age, whether deaf, blind, or visually impaired;  Division for Blind Services assists individuals who are visually impaired age 10 to 22 years of age (elementary - high school) works with the VR Transition Counselor. The VR Transition Counselor also works with high school students who are transitioning into their first year of college.  Vocational Rehabilitation Services which assists individuals who are not blind, but have a physical and/or mental disability and require assistance to obtain/maintain employment that does not exacerbate their disability such as individuals who sustain an injury requiring less strenuous duties.

Problem  I listened as the Vocational Rehabilitation Transition Counselor (VRTC) explained college prep services provided high school and college freshman students/parents.  The student needs to know/understand basic information about college services and resources available both on campus and from their VRTC.  The students are blind or visually impaired requiring assistance to achieve their academic and employment goals.  VRTC states their prep training is designed to familiarize students with the documentation counselors need students to provide from their respective school to their VRTC.  The student and parents don’t remember to provide required documentation three weeks prior to the start of the term.

Problem cont’d  No college liaison exists as ‘Go-between’ to help incoming freshman students, their parents, Disability Student Services, and Vocational Rehabilitation Transitional Counselors (VRTC) who require documentation before providing monetary assistance.  I presented my training information to the VRTC who agree that the information is thorough and much needed with their students.  This training is designed to assist transitioning high school and freshman college student’s understand their responsibility in order to ensure their college expenses are paid.

Needs Identified / Needs to Address Needs determined through interviews with the VRTC are listed for both the instructor and student. I worked with the VRTCs to identify needs. The online college prep training will assist both the VRTCs and the students. VRTC/Instructor Performing college prep training three weeks prior to the start of each term and three months later will keep the information fresh for the VRTC/student. By doing so, both the VRTC/student will have the required documentation necessary to receive/provide (respectively) authorized expenses to transition and college/university students.

Needs Identified / Needs to Address Student  If student does not have degree plan with them, student can access copy from their college’s/university’s web site, in order to complete the college prep process.  Demonstrate understanding of instructions by accessing the Internet to obtain copy of FAFSA.  Demonstrate understanding of instructions by accessing the Internet to obtain required class schedule and associated tuition.  Demonstrate understanding of instructions by accessing the Internet to obtain required book with fee listed on class schedule.  Remember to submit information and transcripts to VRTC for review.

Responsibilities  Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)  Maintain 12 hour full-time  Maintain 2.0 grade point average  VRTC supports academic training specified on degree plan  Submit documentation at least three weeks prior to start of semester

Approval Training beyond a bachelor degree requires field director approval based on:  Previous academic success  Acceptance into a graduate program  Transcript  A brief summary of career goals and the reason a graduate degree is required Successfully completing online assessment (obtaining print out of FAFSA information, class schedule, tuition amount, book list with fees, and associated supplies) indicates student understands process requirements in order to obtain payment of expenses.

College Prep Examples Ideas for Topics You might want to share information beyond a high-level overview of the college application process or the basic types of financial aid. Below are some topics for consideration. Ideas for college prep event topics: earning college credits in high school qualifying for in-state tuition or tuition reciprocity supporting your child as he or she prepares for college (parent event) deciding whether to apply Early Decision or Early Action Ideas for financial aid event topics: benefiting from tax advantages of college savings programs avoiding financial aid scams minimizing borrowing finding scholarships understanding whose information to report on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (  

Questions Can student that is visually impaired obtain funds to complete their masters, i.e., social work? ANSWER It depends on several factors the field director’s approval based on:  Previous academic success  Acceptance into a graduate program  Transcript  A brief summary of career goals and the reason a graduate degree is required