Students with intellectual disability may be able to access support from Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) to help cover college costs while working to achieve their employment goals. The first step is to apply for VR services and be determined eligible for services. Once approved for services, individuals then work with a counselor to determine services that will assist them to achieve their vocational goals.They can discuss how postsecondary education will help them reach their goals, and any financial support they may need. Other services can also be provided by VR including assessments, employment counseling, guidance, and disability related interventions. Throughout a student’s college journey, VR is an important partner.
It is important to remember that VR is an agency committed to helping individuals with disabilities find and keep employment, so any postsecondary education goals must be tied to a career goal.
VR agencies can offer financial support, based upon individualized need, to support the costs of attending college, including:
- Tuition and Fees: Partial or full payment of college tuition.
- Books and Supplies: Necessary textbooks, laptops, or other educational materials.
- Living Expenses: In some cases, VR may assist with living expenses such as travel expenses, clothing, etc. if it's essential for the student.
- Assistive Technology: VR can provide or help fund assistive technologies that allow students to access college materials or complete assignments.
- Room and Board: VR can assist in costs for room and board to attend school, as needed.
Funding options and amounts vary based on the individual needs of each student as well as policies and practices of each state. VR may also use information about access to Pell Grants and other grants, as well as a financial needs assessment, to determine how much they will pay and which services the money can be used for.
Students must be eligible for VR services to receive any VR funded services, including tuition assistance. For VR to consider supporting a student’s college attendance, the program they are enrolled in needs to relate to an identified employment goal that is part of the student’s Comprehensive Assessment and Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). The decision to support a student to attend college is determined through a comprehensive assessment conducted between the student and counselor leading up to it being detailed in the individualized plan. If attending college is considered as leading to the student becoming competitively employed with career advancement opportunities, then VR may be able to help pay for related expenses.
An individual who has been determined to be eligible for VR services should discuss the need for postsecondary education as part of this comprehensive assessment to meet their employment goal.. If there is a disagreement related to what VR will fund, students have the right to have the funding decision reviewed. You can contact your state’s Client Assistance Program or ask the agency for their due process policy.
Find additional resources on Vocational Rehabilitation and its services and supports by searching vocational rehabilitation in the Think College resource library.
Still have questions? You can always get support from our team by emailing us at thinkcollegeTA@umb.edu.