College Planning for Students with Disabilities
September 19, 2007
This document may be accessed in its entirety at educationquest.org.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Project NETS and EducationQuest Foundation have developed a handbook titled, College Planning for Student with Disabilities – a supplement to the College Prep Handbook. You may order a free copy or view a condensed online version. Following is a sample of the information you will find in the handbook.
ACT/SAT entrance exams
You typically take the ACT and/or SAT entrance exams in the spring
of your junior year and again in the fall of your senior year. When
you schedule your exams, you may need to request accommodations.
When requesting accommodations you must provide documentation of
your disability.
ASSET and COMPASS
Test-taking accommodations also apply to the ASSET (Assessment
of Skills for Successful Entry and Transfer) or COMPASS (Computer
Adaptive Placement Assessment and Support System) tests - a series
of short placement exams often required by community colleges.
These exams are designed to help identify your strengths and
needs.
Accommodations for the SAT, ACT, ASSET and COMPASS may include:
Individual administration of the test
Audiocassette tape or large print test editions
Special answer sheets
Extended testing time and breaks
Interpreter
Braille editions
Selecting a college
Finding a college that meets your needs will require research,
campus visits and asking the right questions. See our Guided Tour
for High School Students and Parents for steps to follow. Another
resource is Educational Opportunities Beyond High School in
Nebraska, found on-line, which provides options for post-secondary
education in Nebraska. It contains information for students with
disabilities including accommodations and support services.
Most colleges have an office that provides services to students with disabilities. If not, the school will have a person who coordinates these services. The office or disability services coordinator is usually located in the college's counseling center or in student services. Once you narrow your college choices, it's important that you meet with the disability services coordinator at each college to determine services and accommodations that may be available. This may help determine the college that will best meet your needs.
Applying for admission and financial aid
As you visit or correspond with colleges that interest you, ask
about deadlines and the process for applying for admission,
financial aid and college-based scholarships. Ask about
scholarships that may be available for students with disabilities.
How disability-related expenses may affect financial aid. When you
apply for financial aid, inform the financial aid administrator of
your disability-related expenses keeping in mind that financial aid
will not cover expenses already covered by assisting agencies.
EducationQuest Foundation and the college financial aid staff will
answer your questions and help you complete this process.
Once you select a college, it's important to take certain steps
to ensure a successful start to your college career. Keep in mind
that you will receive services related to a disability only if you
contact the coordinator of disability services, provide the
required documentation, & request services each term or
semester.
By understanding your rights and responsibilities you will know
what you need to do, and what the college is required to do for you
to have an equal opportunity for success.
