Category: Students and Families

Inclusive Higher Education Timeline

Posted on | by Teresa Belluscio

Inclusive Higher Education Timeline

Kentucky has a rich history in its commitment to inclusive spaces in post-secondary education. Over the last twenty years, multiple projects and initiatives have supported students with developmental disabilities as they engage in post-secondary education. The timeline below highlights some of the work that has gone into supporting students with their educational goals.

2005

Postsecondary Opportunities Workgroup
(POW) is launched by families, young adults with intellectual disabilities, and Kentucky organizations.

2008

Postsecondary Inclusion Partnership
PIP begins a three-year grant funded by the Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities.

2010

The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute is awarded a five-year $2.1 million federal grant Supported Higher Education Project, SHEP.

2011

A pilot between SHEP and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation provides support services on college campuses around Kentucky.

2012

SHEP staff and students with intellectual disabilities present to the Kentucky Legislative Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education.

A group from Murray State University, led by a parent advocate, expresses interest in starting a program on campus.

Representative Carl Rollins attends the POW meeting and hears concerns that SHEP students cannot utilize Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship Program money.

2013

Kentucky’s first U.S. Department of Education approved Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) program was established at Murray State University.

Kentucky Legislature unanimously passes a bill to allow students with alternate diplomas to access their KEES money.

2014

Bluegrass Community & Technical College Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP) program approved.

SHEP, POW, and stakeholders explore expansion and sustainability options.

Spalding University Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP) program approved.

2015

Northern Kentucky University Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP) program approved.

2016

Partnerships in Employment State Systems Change grant.

Legislative action to increase KEES funding available to students with intellectual disabilities enrolled in Kentucky CTP programs.

2019

Inclusive Higher Education Webinar series.

2020

Kentucky State Budget addresses Supported Higher Education.

2021

Kentucky Supported Higher Education Partnership.

2022

University of Kentucky Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP) program approved.

Legislative action expands the Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship to include students with ID enrolled in Kentucky CTP programs.

2023

Owensboro Community and Technical College Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP) program approved.

2024

Western Kentucky University Comprehensive Transition program approved.

Two students on UK's campus working on a computer together. One has long, black wavy hair and is wearing a UK t-shirt and jeans. The other has short, black curly hair and is wearing a grey t-shirt.

CTP Program Brief: Students and Families

Posted on | by Teresa Belluscio

Comprehensive Transition & Postsecondary Programs

Image of multiple students in caps and gowns, as well as two students in a classroom. The students are both in masks.

Kentucky Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities

Program Brief for Students and Families

Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Programs (CTPs) were created by the Higher Education Opportunities Act (HEOA, 2008). These programs support students with intellectual disabilities (ID) who want to attend a college or university.

CTPs include:

What does it mean for students?

Eligible students with ID, as defined by the HEOA, who are enrolled in an approved CTP have opportunity to take challenging and meaningful credit and non-credit courses in their chosen fields of study.

Students enrolled in an approved CTP are eligible for federal and state financial assistance. This includes students who don’t have a high school diploma and may not be working toward a degree.

Student Financial Assistance:

Students with ID enrolled in an approved CTP can access federal financial aid for which they qualify and state financial aid from the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES), Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship, and College Access Program Grant programs, if eligible. Students and families can contact the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) at (800) 928-8926 or visit kheaa.com for help with the financial aid process.

To learn more about financial assistance for students enrolled in an approved Kentucky CTP, see CTP Brief: Student Financial Assistance.

Students with ID may have questions about options for going to college.

Is college possible? How do I prepare? How do I apply? Can I afford it? How do I find the right college? What else do I need to know?

Answers to these questions can be found at www.thinkcollege.net/family-resources

CTPs were created to increase access to higher education for students with ID. CTPs provide support for students to:

  • Take college courses that lead to a certificate or diploma
  • Receive assistance in developing an individualized program of study
  • Take courses (for a grade, audit, or pass/fail) with academic accommodations
  • Receive academic and social supports, like peer mentoring and tutoring
  • Have opportunities for work experiences and internships
  • Foster self-reliance and self-determination

There are six approved CTPs in Kentucky:

Additional Information

To learn more, students and families may wish to talk to a teacher, school or vocational rehabilitation counselor and/or their Admissions and Release Committee (ARC).

Think College offers helpful information for students preparing to go to college and useful resources for families. To explore these resources, visit: www.thinkcollege.net/resources

If you would like to watch stories of other students with ID who have gone to college, you can find those here: www.tinyurl.com/yxaz3lco

Last updated 9/13/2023. To view the latest version of this document, visit www.kshep.hdiuky.org/resources

For more information, please contact:

Johnny W. Collett
Deputy Director
(859) 257-2304

johnny.collett@uky.edu

OCTC offering program to support students with intellectual disabilities wanting to attend college

Posted on | by Teresa Belluscio

OCTC offering program to support students with intellectual disabilities wanting to attend college

Read the original article in the Owensboro Times

Owensboro Times
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Inclusive Higher Education featured on The State of HDI Podcast

Posted on | by Teresa Belluscio

Inclusive Higher Education featured on The State of HDI Podcast

The State of HDI is a podcast exploring initiatives and projects of the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (HDI).  

In Episode 1, Johnny Collett (HDI Deputy Director) and Erin Fitzgerald (CTP Coordinator) discuss inclusive higher education programs that support students with education and career goals. 

CTP Brief: Student Financial Assistance

Posted on | by Teresa Belluscio

CTP Brief: Student Financial Assistance

Image of multiple students in caps and gowns, as well as two students in a classroom. The students are both in masks.

Kentucky Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities

Program Brief for Students

Comprehensive Transition & Postsecondary Programs (CTPs)

CTPs were created by the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA, 2008). They support students with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) who want to continue academic, career, or technical instruction in higher education to better prepare for competitive integrated employment and independent living. CTPs:

  • use person-centered planning to help students identify and explore career goals, which may include paid work and unpaid work-based experiences
  • facilitate the social and academic integration of students on a college campus
  • provide support to navigate all elements of college life, including admissions, coursework, work experiences, and extracurricular activities

CTP Program Eligibility

Students enrolled in an approved CTP must have a documented ID, as defined by the HEOA. This means a student:

  • With a cognitive impairment characterized by significant limitations in:
    • intellectual and cognitive functioning; and
    • adaptive behavior
  • Who is currently, or was formerly, eligible for a free appropriate public education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

Student Financial Assistance

Student Financial Assistance:

Students with ID enrolled in an approved CTP can access federal financial aid for which they qualify and state financial aid from the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES), Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship, and College Access Program Grant programs, if eligible. Students and families can contact the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) at (800) 928-8926 or visit kheaa.com for help with the financial aid process.

To learn more about financial assistance for students enrolled in an approved Kentucky CTP, see CTP Brief: Student Financial Assistance.


Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How do students interested in a CTP apply for federal student financial assistance?

Students interested in enrolling in an approved CTP should complete the FAFSA each year at www.studentaid.gov and indicate which college(s) they want information sent.

  1. The FAFSA asks about high school completion status. How do students answer this question and will this affect students’ eligibility for financial aid?

Students with any diploma or credential other than a standard high school diploma (e.g., alternative high school diploma, GED, no diploma) select “none of the above”. This answer will not affect eligibility for student aid if a student is enrolled in an approved CTP.

  1. What does it mean if a FAFSA has been selected for verification?

In some cases, the U.S. Department of Education requires the financial aid office to verify the accuracy of certain information reported on the FAFSA. The school may request additional documentation from the student or parents to complete this review before federal student financial aid can be finalized. Being chosen for verification does not suggest that an error was

made on the FAFSA, and financial aid counselors can support students throughout the process.

  1. What do students enrolled in a Kentucky CTP need to do to keep their federal student financial aid?

As outlined by college/university satisfactory academic progress (SAP) policies for students in CTPs, students must maintain SAP and meet the basic federal student aid eligibility requirements. Students must re-apply each year for federal aid by filing the FAFSA.

  1. How do students enrolled in a Kentucky CTP receive their KEES funds?

College financial aid offices work directly with the statewide KEES coordinator at KHEAA to report enrollment and request the KEES CTP awards for eligible students (KRS 164.7882). KEES amounts for students enrolled in an approved CTP are $500 if enrolled in at least six (6) hours in an academic term; or $250 if enrolled in less than six (6) hours in an academic term. Note: KEES funds can only be awarded for fall and spring terms.

  1. How do students enrolled in a Kentucky CTP continue to qualify for KEES awards?

All that is necessary to qualify for renewal of the KEES CTP award is for a student to maintain enrollment in the CTP and maintain satisfactory academic progress as outlined in the SAP policy. Students are eligible for KEES CTP awards for a maximum of eight (8) academic terms.

  1. How can CTP students apply for the Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship Program (WRKS)?

Click here to learn more about the WRKS Program, including how to apply.

  1. Does receiving financial aid/grants to pay for college affect Social Security benefits for CTP students?

Grants, scholarships, fellowships, or gifts received for educational expenses are not counted as income or resources by Social Security if they are used to pay for educational expenses in a timely manner. To learn more about Supplemental Security Income (SSI) when students turn 18, including how grants and scholarships affect SSI benefits, visit: www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-11005.pdf

There are six approved CTPs in Kentucky:

More Information

Last updated 9/13/2023. To view the latest version of this document, visit www.kshep.hdiuky.org/resources

For more information, please contact:

Johnny W. Collett
Deputy Director
(859) 257-2304

johnny.collett@uky.edu

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Think College Stories

Posted on | by Teresa Belluscio

ThinkCollege Stories

ThinkCollege provides readers with stories from students with intellectual disabilities who have gone to college. Read them by clicking the button below.

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Think College

Posted on | by Teresa Belluscio

ThinkCollege

Think College creates and curates a variety of resources on topics related to postsecondary education for people with intellectual disability. The Resource Library includes over 850 selected resources on a wide range of topics related to postsecondary education for people with intellectual disabilities.

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