Inclusive Postsecondary Education
State
The Florida Center for Students
with Unique Abilities (FCSUA)
Signed into law by Florida’s governor on January 23, 2016, the Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program Act (the Act) (FS 1004.6495) established the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities at the University of Central Florida (the Center) and charged the Center with managing the Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program (FPCTP) application and approval process. The Act also established criteria for FPCTP approval, scholarship awards for eligible students to attend approved programs, grant awards to promote new program development and existing program enhancements, and accountability requirements associated with these opportunities.
The
FCSUA, located at the University of Central Florida, was created by the Florida
Legislature in 2016. The purpose of the center is to increase independent
living, inclusive and experiential postsecondary education and employment
opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities. Funding is available
to help colleges set up new programs and
also for
student scholarships to attend these programs.
There
are several important distinctions between TPSID and FCSUA funding
opportunities. FCSUA policies require the following:
- Students must have exited from the K-12 system to be eligible for FCSUA scholarships.
- Students may exceed the age of 22 and remain eligible for an FCSUA scholarship.
- Postsecondary programs must have Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program (FPCTP) status or be in the application process to be eligible to receive grant funding.
- Postsecondary programs must also be accessible to students who have exited the K-12 system. The FCSUA website (https://fcsua.org/E_postsecondary.php) provides a listing and map of postsecondary education programs that serve students with intellectual disabilities in Florida, which includes the approved Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Programs (FPCTPs), as well as those not approved as such. For more information, visit www.FCSUA.org.
The FCSUA website provides a listing and map of postsecondary education programs that serve students with intellectual disbilities in Florida, which includes the approved Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Programs (FCTPs), as well as those not approved as such. For more information on FCTPs, visit the webpage where the brochure can be found.
Resources
Increasing Postsecondary Opportunities and Success for Students
and Youth with Disabilities
This document was released September 17, 2019 by the US
Education Department, as a question/answer format, to clarify 4 target areas of
postsecondary education for this population:
- Enrollment opportunities in postsecondary education programs for high school students with disabilities;
- Enrollment opportunities in postsecondary education programs for young adults with disabilities, who have exited the high school;
- Coordination of services, funded by IDEA and VR, students with disabilities may receive when attending a postsecondary education program;
- Access to financial aid for students with intellectual disabilities enrolled in comprehensive transition and postsecondary education programs.
Universal Design for Learning for Postsecondary Education (UDL) is a new online module developed using UDL principles to teach postsecondary educators the concepts, strategies, and benefits of UDL.
Questions and Answers About the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
This is a listing of over 20 questions relating to the FAFSA.
Think College's I College Search
Think College Search features colleges and universities that offer postsecondary education programs for students with intellectual disability. Users of this searchable online database can filter by state, length of program, type of school, options for living on campus, and more.
Think College's "A Resources Guide for Inclusive Postsecondary Education for Students with Intellectual Disability"
This Think College easy-to-read electronic guide provides information, helpful tips, resources and data to support prospective students and relevant stakeholders with understanding essential aspects of planning for enrollment at an inclusive postsecondary education institution.
What is CPT What is a CTP and FPCTP and Why are they Important?
This brief provides a 2-page overview of the Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Program (CTP) and Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program (FPCTP) certifications and includes resources for further information.