Aggies Elevated

Utah State University - Logan (Main Campus)
Aggies Elevated
2865 Old Main Hill
Logan , UT 84322
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Program Contact Lindsay Thunell
Program Contact Email aggieselevated@usu.edu
Program Phone 4357971512
Website Program website
Social Media: Program Social Media

Aggies Elevated empowers college-age students with intellectual disabilities to develop the skills and capabilities necessary for competitive integrated employment, full community inclusion, and independent living to their highest ability. Students engage in a collaborative person-centered planning process focused on their strengths, interests, support needs, vocational goals, and life skills.

Our fully inclusive college program provides access to the same opportunities for academic exploration, campus participation, growth and maturity, and increased social networks that all other young adults experience in post-secondary education. Aggies Elevated students continue to demonstrate improved outcomes in many areas of adulthood including independent living, competitive employment, and social integration.

Program information submitted: Feb 04, 2025

General
Public or private:Public
Type of school:4-year college or university
Is this program a federally funded TPSID program?:No
Number of students:11
Requirements
Program serves students who have left high school?:Yes, all of our students have left high school
High school diploma required?:No, an IEP/non-standard diploma/certificate of attendance is accepted
Deadline to apply to this program:mid-December
Admission link:Program admission
Criteria for admission:
  • 18 plus
Accepts out-of-state students?:Yes
Students in this program have these disabilities:
  • Intellectual disability
  • Autism
  • speech language disorders, traumatic brain injuries, cerebral palsy, vision impairments, hearing impairments
Planned program length:
  • 2 years
Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates
Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term:70%
Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one:100%
Notes on acceptance and attendance:acceptance depends on number of complete applications and number of applicants that are eligible (we get several applicants each year that do not have intellectual disability and thus are not eligible)
Cost
Average student in-state tuition and fees for the current school year:$8,560.00
Out-of-state tuition and fees:$24,990.00
Room and board cost:$6,690.00
Program specific fees:$8,000.00
Is this program able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP)?:Yes
Students pay for the program in the following ways:
  • Private pay (student and family)
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Funds
  • Scholarships
  • Federal Financial Aid
  • Veteran or Military Benefits
Scholarships available:We have a handful of scholarships specific to Aggies Elevated students made possible by donors wishing to support students with intellectual disabilities in pursuing education and meaningful employment. More information will be available on our website soon.
Academic
Students enrolled in this program take the following types of inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities):
  • Typical college courses for credit
  • Typical college courses for audit
More about course access:In addition to program-taught classes, Aggies Elevated students take a variety of inclusive elective and general education courses that are available to all undergraduate students at the university. These courses are selected based on students’ interests, needs, and employment goals. Inclusive classes may be taken for credit or audit, as arranged with program staff and the course instructor. Accommodations are arranged through the USU Disability Resource Center.
Are students in this program able to access support services through your IHE disability services office?:Yes
Students take courses that are only for students in this program:Yes
Information on special classes:Program-taught courses are designed specifically for students with intellectual disability (ID). They provide foundational knowledge and skills in areas vital for students with ID, including academics, social, job readiness/employment, independent living, and self-determination/self-advocacy. These courses help fill in social and academic gaps that many students with ID experience and set them up for success in inclusive college classes and life after graduation. They provide individualized support while maintaining high expectations and pushing students to grow. Program-taught courses mirror traditional college courses in format and expectations. Courses are credit-bearing, progressively increase in difficulty and complexity, have a variety of assignments and demonstrations of learning, and maintain high expectations for learning and growth.
Percentage of all courses taken by students that are inclusive:50-74%
Do all students in this program enroll in at least one inclusive college/university course for credit or audit each semester?:Yes
Credential(s) students earn upon completing the program:Certificate of Proficiency - Integrated College and Community Studies
Is the credential approved by the college/university?:Yes, this credential has been through a formal approval process at the IHE
Students in the program have access to the following campus-wide services:
  • Career services
  • Disability/accessibility services
  • Academic tutoring services
  • Health services
  • Mental health/counseling services
  • Access to a transcript via the registrar
  • Academic advising services (not program staff)
Employment
Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program:80%
Other career development activities are:
  • Internships
  • Volunteer work
Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program:100%
Additional information about career development and work experience: The program’s employment-related classes and activities include self-assessments, transferable skills, career exploration & matching, job search, resume & cover letter, interview prep, interviewing, onboarding, internship, workplace readiness, work behavior, and accommodations. Internships provide students with on-the-job experience. Placements are individually arranged based on each student’s career interests and areas for skill development. Internships focus on developing transferable skills and work experience as well as career-specific competencies. Another key part of career-development that we focus on is building “soft skills.” Employers consistently rank soft skills as the most vital component of work readiness and the most desired characteristics in potential employees (US Dept. of Labor). These skills are nuanced and challenging to teach. To help prepare students for success in competitive and meaningful employment after graduation, soft skill development is infused into all aspects of the program. Soft skills include: time management, planning & organizing, paying attention, staying on task, following instructions, emotion regulation and stress management, taking responsibility, problem solving, critical thinking, communication, social skills, self determination and self-advocacy, using work-related technology and accommodations.
Does this program have a working partnership with VR to provide funding, supports and/or services to students in the program?Yes
Housing
Housing is provided to students?:Yes
Housing options available:
  • Inclusive on campus
Residential supports for students who live in college/university housing:
  • Housing staff are trained on disability and know which of their residents are in Aggies Elevated. Peer mentors can assist students with tasks and goals related to housing (laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc.).
Extracurricular
Students participate in student organizations on campus:Yes
Percentage of social time spent in inclusive activities (open to all students on campus):100%
Students may participate in the following extra-curricular activities:
  • Registered student organizations
  • Student government
  • Club sports
  • Campus events
Students participate in these campus-wide events:
  • College/University's Student orientation
  • College/University's Family orientation
  • College/University's Graduation