Financial Resources for Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Programs

Finances often hinder transitioning to and attending postsecondary education programs, and families seek support in this area (Clarke et al., 2011; Lee & Taylor, 2022). Much support is still needed; however, a few viable options exist for paying for postsecondary education. Listed below are some of these options (Pound & Weir, 2024).

1. Scholarships

There are numerous scholarships available for postsecondary education that may apply to students:

For Students with Autism

• Autism Can Do Scholarship

  • https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/autism-can-do-scholarship 

• Making a Difference Autism Scholarship

  • https://kfmmakingadifference.org/scholarship-programs-for-adults-with-autism/ 

• Synchrony Scholarship for Autistic Students of Color

  • https://researchautism.smapply.org/prog/synchrony_scholarship/ 

For Students with Down Syndrome

• Ruby’s Rainbow

  • https://rubysrainbow.org/  

• National Down Syndrome Society O’Neill/Tabani Enrichment Fund

  • https://ndss.org/ndss-scholarships/oneill-tabani-enrichment-fund 

• United Parent Support for Down Syndrome Scholarship

  • https://www.upsfordowns.org/scholarships 

• Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio

  • https://dsaco.net/postsecondaryscholarship/ 

Other:

• Buckfire Law Disability Scholarship Program

  • https://buckfirelaw.com/scholarships/disability/ 

Consider if the scholarship offers to pay for a non-degree program, such as a program that a student will graduate with a certificate of completion rather than an academic degree.

(Pound & Weir, 2024)

2. Federal Financial Aid

According to Grigal & Hart (2010) and Weir & Boyle (2023), a student must meet the following requirements to receive federal financial aid:

• Documented intellectual disability

  • This means the student must have a cognitive impairment designated by significant limitations in cognitive/intellectual functioning or adaptive behavior, including conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills. 

• Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a student must be currently or formerly eligible for special education.

• The student must be attending a college program that is considered an official Comprehensive Transition Program (this is another name for an inclusive post-secondary education program or IPSE) offered by an institution of higher education or IHE

• The student and family must have financial need based on the FAFSA application

  • FAFSA: https://studentaid.gov/h/understand-aid 

Some students in high school may participate in dual enrollment, meaning there is an agreement between a postsecondary program and the high school allowing a student to be present in college and take courses while in high school. Expenses can be paid using vocational rehabilitation services or the school district. If a student is placed in an inclusive post-secondary education program, the school district can pay for expenses related to transportation needs and tuition as deemed necessary by the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team.

Types of federal financial aid available:

1. Federal Pell Grant - earned based on income eligibility

2. Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant

3. The Federal Work-Study Program - allows students to have part-time work to help pay for education costs

(Grigal & Hart, 2010; Weir & Boyle, 2023)

3. Medicaid Waivers (Home and Community-Based Services)

Parisi & Landau (2019) state that a Medicaid waiver allows individuals with disabilities to receive care through Medicaid with specific eligibility requirements waived. Individuals can receive services within the home or the community instead of being provided services within an institution. Every state has different policies on what services can be provided. Some individuals can use services through a Medicaid waiver to help pay for post-secondary education costs such as peer mentors/coaches, career exploration and employment services, school tuition, transportation needs, assistive technology services, and housing. The first step in considering Medicaid waivers for funding is determining what services are covered within your state and what may apply to post-secondary education (Parisi & Landau, 2019).

Other resources: 

• The Arc of Indiana: An Introduction to Indiana’s Medicaid Waiver Program for Home and Community-Based Services PDF

  
  

Medicaid Waiver Guide

• Indiana Medicaid for Members

Home and Community Services

• Ohio Medicaid Waiver Resources

  
  

Ohio Medicaid

Down Syndrome Association

4. Vocational Rehabilitation Services 

Vocational rehabilitation or VR services look to help individuals with physical or mental disabilities find a job. A teacher, parent, or Medicaid waiver case manager can refer an individual to VR services. Individuals can even refer themselves to receive VR services. Individuals still in high school are eligible for pre-employment transition services or pre-ETS. VR services are free but may require insurance, Medicaid, or federal student aid to pay for the necessary costs (Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services, 2025).

According to Lazo (2024), vocational rehabilitation can pay for services related to post-secondary education, including tuition and fees, travel expenses or clothing, assistive technology, room and board, and educational materials such as textbooks and laptops. For vocational rehabilitation services to consider paying for college-related costs, a student must be deemed eligible for VR services and have an employment-related goal that is a part of the individualized plan for employment (IPE) that will be created. In other words, attending college must contribute to achieving employment-related goals. Considering the use of VR services in high school as a student is interested in post-secondary education may help begin the process and collaboration between VR and the IPSE. VR services can be discussed in individualized education plan (IEP) meetings while a student is in high school (Lazo, 2024).

There is a need to provide awareness of VR services and the benefits of IPSE programs while students are still in high school so that there is adequate time to prepare (Lee & Taylor, 2022).

References

Clarke, S., Sloper, P., Moran, N., Cusworth, L., Franklin, A., & Beecham, J. (2011). Multi-agency transition services: greater collaboration needed to meet the priorities of young disabled people with complex needs as they move into adulthood. Journal of Integrated Care, 19(5), 30–40. http://doi.org/10.1108/14769011111176734 

Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services. (2025). Vocational rehabilitation/ employment. In.gov; State of Indiana. https://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/rehabilitation-employment/vocational-rehabilitation-employment/ 

Grigal, M., & Hart, D. (2010). Think College! Postsecondary education options for students with intellectual disabilities. Paul H. Brookes Publishing Company.

Lazo, R. (2024). How VR may help pay for college. Thinkcollege.net; Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston. https://thinkcollege.net/think-college-news/how-vr-may-help-pay-for-college 

Lee, C. E., & Taylor, J. L. (2022). A review of the benefits and barriers to postsecondary education for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Journal of Special Education, 55(4), 234-245. https://doi.org/10.1177/00224669211013354 

Parisi, P. & Landau, J. (2019). Use of medicaid waivers to support students with intellectual disability in college. Think College (40). https://thinkcollege.net/sites/default/files/files/IB_40_Use_of_Medicaid_Waivers_final.pdf 

Pound, S., and Weir, C. (2024). Scholarships for students with intellectual disabilities. thinkcollege.net. Think College National Coordinating Center (11). https://thinkcollege.net/sites/default/files/files/resources/HTTC11_Scholarships_update%202024_R.pdf 

Weir, C. and Boyle, M. (2023). Federal financial aid for students with intellectual disabilities. thinkcollege.net. Think College (45). https://thinkcollege.net/sites/default/files/files/resources/IB45_Federal%20Financial%20Aid%20update_2023_R_0.pdf