Any student preparing for college must have a plan to pay for college and students with intellectual disability (ID) are likely to use many of the same resources as other college students to pay for college. There are some resources specific to individuals with disabilities to consider, as well. Students are using numerous approaches to pay for college, often braiding together several different funding sources to cover the costs.
Think College Fast Fact #28 describes the ABLE Act passed in 2014, and explains that through the passage of this Act, people with disabilities have the opportunity to open tax-advantaged savings accounts. This national public policy recognized the significant costs and extra expenses associated with living with a disability and opened the door to saving without impacting eligibility for means-tested benefits, such as SSI and Medicaid.
In an August 27th 2024 Disability Scoop article, we learned of new guidance from the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration details how vocational rehabilitation agencies should respond to requests for out-of-state services which may better support students with intellectual disability to get employment supports.
Introduced: 2/5/2024
Passed: 4/30/2024
Initially introduced in 2023 as SB 322, this act amends 70 O.S. 2021, Section 626.7, allowing opportunities for tuition aid grants to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities enrolled in a postsecondary education program.
Status: Passed 5/6/24
Budget proposal of $1,644,170 included that in both the House and the Senate versions of the budget. For the 2024-2025 there be a total of $2.6M budgeted at Georgia Student Finance Commission for IPSE Grants at public institutions. This amount is expected to cover tuition and program fees for projected 2024-2025 students.
As students and their families look at college options, the question of how to pay for it is on everyone’s mind. No one solution is going to work for all students, so this webinar shares information on several funding options that students and families can explore, such as Vocational Rehabilitation, Medicaid, scholarships, federal student aid, Veteran’s benefits, and ABLE accounts. Details of each funding source are shared, as well as an overview of the conditions under which available funding possibilities may be an option.
This “Questions and Answers” (Q&A) from the U.S.
Passed and signed into law, May 2021
The legislation establishes that any student in an approved comprehensive transition program (CTP) whose parent is a veteran with a disability (or deceased) will receive equal educational benefits to students with similar parentage who are enrolled in traditional 4-year college and university degree programs.
This plain language publication explains the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act, or the ABLE Act, and why it is important for people with disabilities. Simple language and an easy-to-use question and answer format is used.
