Preparing for College

Deciding on a College When You Have a Disability

When you are selecting a college, make a list of questions and requirements that you have for the school. Before making a visit, consider the following:

• Your comfort level in describing your disability and advocating for your own needs.
• What accommodations you require.
• Services and supports that are already in place at the college.
• The college's location.
• Reputation of the college's academic program.

Here are some useful questions to ask:

• Does the school have an office and full-time staff (Student Disability Services or SDS) to serve students with disabilities?
• If so, how long has the SDS program been running?
• What type of support does SDS offer?
• Are counselors and staff specially trained in working with learning disabilities?
• Is it likely services will be discontinued before you finish college?
• Do they have an ADA/504 Coordinator?
• Whom should your parents contact if they have questions during the school year?
• Who counsels students during registration, orientation and course selection?
• Is tutoring available, and if so, are the tutors professors or students?
• Is tutoring automatic, or must it be requested?
• Does the college have an established grievance policy?
• Has it published a notice of nondiscrimination?
• Does the college faculty receive any disability-awareness training?
• How do you request classroom accommodations?
• Does the college offer early enrollment, which will give you more time to meet with professors and learn class locations?
• Can you take additional time to graduate?

Paying for College

The federal government offers financial-aid packages to help families meet educational expenses. The majority of financial-aid programs are based on the financial needs of the student and include the expectation of some financial support from your parents.

In order to receive financial aid, you must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available through your high-school guidance counselor. Forms can also be obtained at www.fafsa.ed.gov or by calling 1-800-4FED-AID. These forms need to be filled out early and accurately. If you have a learning disability, your vocational rehabilitation counselor or your Social Security case manager will help you apply for financial aid.

Financial-aid applications require families to estimate their cost of expenses. Under certain circumstances, costs related to a student's disability may be included in these expenses. Other costs may include:

• Special equipment and its maintenance. Some of this equipment, such as batteries for hearing aids or an adapted computer, may have been covered by your high school, but now becomes your responsibility.
• Services for personal use or study, such as readers, interpreters, note takers or personal-care attendants.
• Transportation, if traditional means are inaccessible.
• Medical expenses not covered by insurance that relate directly to your disability.

Where applicable, you must list expenses that are covered by insurance or other agencies.

Survivors may also receive assistance under Social Security Income and/or Social Security Disability Insurance. Most states also offer some sort of student assistance. Your high school guidance counselor should have this information. (Also, see Resources for information on specific scholarships.)