Northwestern Michigan College
Ready For Life
1701 E Front St
Traverse City , MI 49686
1701 E Front St
Traverse City , MI 49686
| Program Contact | Toni Falk |
| Program Contact Email | info@rflnetwork.org |
| Program Phone | 6162483775 |
| Website | Program website |
| Social Media: | Program Social Media |
Through partnership with Northwestern Michigan in Traverse City, MI Ready For Life Academy (RFLA) provides an inclusive/immersive college experience leading to greater independence as an adult.
RFLA provides support systems to ensure each student is provided the resources they need to succeed in a college environment. Each of our instructors is engaged to assist each student in daily personal planning, and partners professors to adapt the academic materials from the college courses each student is taking.`
RFLA students are provided the opportunity to participate in campus and community activities with appropriate support.
Each student begins the program by building a student-centered learning plan to develop realistic learning objectives and identify areas of natural talent to be further developed. The curriculum used at RFLA focuses on transition skills to help students gain independence and job skills.
The RFLA@NMC program is slated to open fall semester 2026 as a two-year program.
Program information submitted: Feb 15, 2026
| General | |
|---|---|
| Public or private: | Public |
| Type of school: | 2-year community college or junior college |
| Is this program a federally funded TPSID program?: | No |
| This program will BEGIN serving students in: | 2026-2027 |
| Summer program name: | mi LIFE! Summer Series |
| Summer program description: | The Ready For Life mi LIFE! Summer Series offers an engaging and empowering learning experience focused on self-advocacy, disability rights, and executive functioning skills. Participants build confidence in speaking up for their needs, understanding their legal rights, and navigating school, work, and community environments. Through interactive activities and real-world practice, students strengthen executive functioning skills such as organization, time management, goal setting, and problem-solving—supporting greater independence and long-term success. Streamed asynchronously online while meeting in person in Holland, MI. |
| 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: | rolling |
| Admission link: | Program admission |
| Criteria for admission: |
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| Accepts out-of-state students?: | Yes |
| Students in this program have these disabilities: |
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| Planned program length: |
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| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Average student in-state tuition and fees for the current school year: | $20,000.00 |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees: | $20,000.00 |
| Is this program able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP)?: | No |
| Students pay for the program in the following ways: |
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| Scholarships available: | Ready For Life offers a needs based scholarship opportunity for accepted students. |
| Academic | |
|---|---|
| Students enrolled in this program take the following types of inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): |
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| More about course access: | RFLA@NMC students audit college courses in high interest and/or skill specific areas to build necessary skills in areas leading to employment. |
| Students take courses that are only for students in this program: | Yes |
| Information on special classes: | Ready For Life Academy students take life skills classes as well as audit college courses. |
| Percentage of all courses taken by students that are inclusive: | 50-74% |
| Credential(s) students earn upon completing the program: | Certificate of Completion for the Ready For Life Academy at Northwestern Michigan College |
| Is the credential approved by the college/university?: | Awarded by program, not officially recognized by the IHE |
| Other than the credential listed above, can students earn any other credentials that are available to all students?: | If appropriate, students at RFLA@NMC may seek credentialed opportunities offered at Northwestern Michigan College. |
| Students in the program have access to the following campus-wide services: |
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| Employment | |
|---|---|
| Other career development activities are: |
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| Additional information about career development and work experience: | All RFLA students work up to 6 hours per week in work experience opportunities building employment skills. |
| 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?: | No |
| Extracurricular | |
|---|---|
| Percentage of social time spent in inclusive activities (open to all students on campus): | 100% |
| Students may participate in the following extra-curricular activities: |
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| Students participate in these campus-wide events: |
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