Choosing the Right Post-Secondary Education Program for Students with Learning Differences
With the right support, many students with learning differences can go on to complete college degrees at an undergraduate and even graduate level. As with any student, academic success is predicated on finding a post-secondary program that is the right fit and offers the right services and accommodation. With a bit of research to understand ways to help students thrive, anyone with the drive and skills to attend college can find the right place.
Key Differences Between High School and College for Students with Learning Differences
When it comes to post-secondary programs for students with learning differences, preparing for the transition involves more than simply packing a suitcase and signing up for classes. In the U.S., all students have a right to earn an education through high school, which means that schools must accommodate all students of all abilities.
Unfortunately, that same right doesn’t exist for post-secondary education for students who need accommodations, which means that special education classes, personal aides, and other free services designed to help students with learning differences are not available. In short, post-secondary education is considered a privilege rather than a right.
Furthermore, after high school, students are typically older than 18 and considered adults, which means that parents may have advocated for them in high school, but students are now expected and encouraged to advocate for themselves during post-secondary education. This is true for all students, regardless of their learning abilities and challenges, both in the classroom and in their personal lives.
The Difference Between a 504 Plan and IEP
One of the core differences between high school and college is the lack of an individualized education plan (IEP). An IEP is mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and is typically created as a collaboration between educators, administrators, students, and their parents.
In high school, students with an IEP may enjoy more time to complete assignments, modified assignments, modified exams, and access to special assistance to meet their learning needs. The differences in IEP vs. 504 plans can be significant and are well worth addressing before a student starts the college application process. The right to an IEP in education expires after high school.
Does a 504 Follow You to College?
Students with learning differences or other disabilities may have an IEP or a 504 plan in high school, but that plan will not follow them to a post-secondary institution. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protects college students from discrimination based on their disabilities but does not guarantee them the same access to accommodations that are required in high school.
What Is a 504 Plan in College?
A 504 plan in college is a typical accommodation for students with learning differences. The core difference between a 504 plan and an IEP is that a 504 in college describes accommodations that will be provided for a student in a general education setting, but not individualized teaching or modified learning requirements. A 504 postsecondary education plan vs. an IEP is about offering accommodation within the same classroom and same parameters as all other students in a class or college program.
College Accommodations for Students with Learning Differences
For college, comparing an IEP vs. 504 plan makes it clear that a 504 plan outlines some of the college accommodations that may be provided for students with learning differences, but some accommodations are less well defined. Additional accommodations include but are not limited to the following:
- Sensory accommodations, such as an allowance for dark glasses in bright classrooms
- Learning accommodations, such as use of a note taker or computer in lectures
- Social accommodations, such as written classroom rules to avoid misinterpretations
Self-Advocacy and College Accommodations for Students with Learning Differences
In high school, faculty and staff are free to communicate with the students and their parents. Due to legal precedent, once a student is older than 18, they must submit written permission for a college to share information with their parents. Students may choose to keep lines of communication with their parents open, but they are not required to do so.
In either case, self-advocacy skills are key to a student’s success in college. Students may ask advisors for help navigating the 504 plan college process, which typically requires submitting documentation that proves a student’s need for accommodations. Without access to personal aids, students also need the skills to self-regulate and safely remove themselves from situations that are overstimulating or otherwise triggering.
Postsecondary Education Program Options for Students with Learning Differences
Although many people think of post-secondary education as a four-year college experience, the truth is that there are many post-secondary options for students to continue their education past high school and prepare themselves to live independently and launch successful careers.
For students on the college track, Transitions offers a specialized full-year program designed to help them develop the essential skills needed for academic success. This program provides personalized coaching, academic support, and life skills training, all tailored to the unique needs of students with learning differences. By focusing on self-advocacy, time management, and study skills, Transitions ensures that students are well-prepared to thrive in a college environment.
Two-Year and Four-Year Colleges
Two-year and Four-year colleges that accommodate learning differences offer students opportunities to pursue undergraduate degrees, such as a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), and Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degrees. Undergraduates at a four-year college frequently live in on-campus dormitories with other students from their cohorts, take general education courses, and ultimately choose a major based on their interests and career goals.
Four-year colleges or universities should know the answer to “What is a college 504 plan?” and have the resources to accommodate these plans. Four-year colleges require a major commitment in terms of both time and financial resources. Many jobs require a bachelor’s degree to work in entry-level positions.
Cooperative Education
Cooperative education is another option for students with learning differences who are pursuing a post-secondary education. Cooperative education gives students a chance to integrate hands-on professional development with the knowledge they learn in a classroom by offering work experience as part of the post-secondary experience. Unlike an internship, a cooperative education college program includes paid work experience and is a required part of a degree program.
Community College
Community college is a cost-effective post-secondary option for neurotypical learners and students with learning differences. At community college, students can earn an associate’s degree or pursue career training certificate programs. Community colleges are usually commuter schools, meaning students live off-campus with parents or other adults, which can make the transition to school easier for some students who are still working on independent living skills and may not be ready to live alone or in a dorm.
Online Schools for Adults with Learning Disabilities
Online education or hybrid online and in-person programs can be a helpful option for adults with learning disabilities who may not be suited to typical classroom work. Online learning has benefits for people with learning differences, such as:
- Asynchronous learning, which allows for rewatching lectures and attending classes on a schedule that works for the individual as well as limiting sensory or social overload
- Access to assistive software during online classes
- Written class feedback and interactions, which can help alleviate potential misunderstanding
Vocational, Technical, and Trade Schools for Adults with Learning Disabilities
Vocational learning programs, technical schools, and trade schools are all places where post-secondary students can learn specialized skills that will help them start careers. Vocational programs are as varied as the students who attend them and can include various programs, such as:
- Automotive repair
- Cosmetology
- Information technology
- Medical billing
Along with many other options, acquiring hands-on experience in a trade is critical. Students with learning differences will also be able to practice social skills and learn how to function in a work environment, which can be incredibly helpful in finding long-term career success.
Life Skills Programs
Preparing students with learning differences for college may include enrolling in a life skills program. Life skills programs may run concurrently with more traditional academic programs or be used to prepare students for their independent lives in or out of college. A life skills program for someone with learning differences could help them master the concrete skills of daily living, such as time management, shopping and cooking, personal hygiene, and interpersonal skills.
Paying for a Post-Secondary Education Program
The tuition and financial aid options available for post-secondary education programs can vary greatly, with four-year colleges typically costing the most to attend. Financial need isn’t typically a factor in the admissions criteria for a post-secondary program, but it should certainly be a consideration for any family that hopes to send their children to college.
College Scholarships for Students with Learning Disabilities
Families can seek scholarships for college students with learning disabilities when applying to any post-secondary education program, including trade schools. Various organizations sponsor scholarships for students of all learning abilities.
Transitions is a program that helps prepare students with learning differences for college, careers, and independent living. We provide options to assist in making Transitions affordable for any family that is a good fit, including financial aid, government grants, and private loans.
Choosing the Right Post-Secondary Education Program as a Student with Learning Differences
As with many students, people with learning differences and their families do not fit neatly into a single box. Not every young adult has the capacity or desire to attend a four-year college, but that does not mean that they must stop their education after high school graduation. In addition to the various accommodations available to students with learning differences at college and universities, career training programs, vocational schools, and even community colleges can be welcoming and wonderful places for people with learning differences to take the next step toward independence and career and personal fulfillment.
If you or a loved one is navigating the journey of finding the right post-secondary education program for students with learning differences, Transitions is here to help. Our dedicated team provides support to prepare students for college, careers, and independent living. Contact us today to learn more about our programs or to apply and start your journey with Transitions.
