Our Counselors Answered:
How does a student establish college eligibility for disability support services?
Jane McClurePartnerMcClure, Mailory & Baron Educational Counseling
How does a student establish college eligibility for disability support services?
Here is my video response to the question.
王文君 June ScortinoPresidentIVY Counselors Network
college access is not open door pollicy
students shall be evaluated and approved for disability support services. some colleges does not require such process but will review the student’s background to determine the qualifications.
you should pay attention to your applications and make sure you apply the right school.
Lisa CarltonOwnerwww.collegematchpoint.com
Visit the Disability Support Office
Accessing Disability Support Services can feel a little overwhelming. The process is very different from high school. The key is to closely follow the outlined procedures from your college. I suggest you visit the Disability Support Office once you are admitted.
Students are required to have up to date testing in order to be eligible for disability support services. Typically schools require testing that was completed in the last 3 years. In addition to testing each school has a slightly different process. You will need to complete a school form or application for services. At many schools you will also have an interview with the disability office. The purpose of the interview is to provide the school with more information about your disability. The interview is also a great time for you to find out more about the disability office’s procedures.
Once you have established eligibility for services, make sure to use the disability office. They are great resource for resolving obstacles you may face as you adjust to college.
Tam Warner MintonConsultantCollege Adventures
Eligibility
Colleges require recent testing (check with each college, some are within 3 years, some 5 years) in order to establish accommodations or admittance to a comprehensive support program. Every college is different…some colleges you’ll want to apply to the comprehensive program as soon as you are accepted, others want the applicaton to the program at the same time you submit for admissions. If you are requesting accommodations but not a comprehensive program, send your request after you accept your spot.
Corey FischerPresidentCollegeClarity
How does a student establish college eligibility for disability support services?
The student needs to self-identify by sending the recent testing and documentation (usually within the last 3 years) to the college’s student disability services office. The college will let you know how they will be able to accomodate you. Not every college is set up to fully serve every student’s needs.
Rana SlosbergOwnerSlosberg College Solutions LLC
Establish eligibility for disability support services
To receive disability support services at college students usually need current, comprehensive documentation from a certified/licensed professional including a diagnosis and recommendations for accommodations. Students provide this documentation to the disability support office at the college and they will determine what services are “reasonable”.
Ed GarciaAssistant Professor/CounselorAustin Community College
Documentation! Documentation! Start Early…
At the college level students must self identify. They must contact the appropriate office and self identify. Usually offices that assist student with disabilities will be called “Office for Students with Disabilities,” “Resource Center for Students with Disabilities,” or “Office for Accommodations for Students with Disabilities.” When students self identify and attempt to qualify for services they will need to complete some sort of application process. In addition, make sure you have documentation, documentation, documentation! Make sure you have documentation of your disability.
Bill PrudenHead of Upper School, College CounselorRavenscroft School
Getting Accommodations in College: Communicate and Advocate. It is Your Right.
Generally if you have a documented disability and you were given accommodation in response to the diagnosis in high school, it should carry over so long as the testing and the documentation are up to date. A student will have to contact the appropriate office at their college upon enrolling so that the process can be put in place, but it should not be an issue so long as appropriate communication is undertaken. Generally, in dealing with disabilities, we are dealing with legally mandated issues and while there are some interpretive elements, in most cases the schools do not have much leeway and have established procedures to deal with these matters.
Mary Mariani
How does a student establish college eligibility for disability support services?
If you qualified as a disabled student with a current IEP or 504 Plan, then you would also qualify for college resources. Make sure that your IEP, 504 Plan, and psychological testing that diagnosed your disability is current. Out-of-date testing does not work.
If you have as ADD diagnosis, make sure that diagnosis is current from either the school district or through a medical doctor or psychiatrist. Then make sure that there are accommodations being made at the high school. If you have never had accommodations made at the school, it is much harder to then request accommodations on the college level.
Nancy MilneOwnerMilne Collegiate Consulting
How does a student establish college eligibility for disability support services?
Every school will have it’s guidelines regarding support services eligibility. You need to make an appointment with that office to determine whether you qualify for assistance. Some schools are more sophisticated in their delivery models, while others are less comprehensive. Being able to articulate your needs, document your history, and advocating for yourself, will go a long way once you are a college student.
Donovan BlakeLead ConsultantGriffin Blake Educational Consulting
How does a student establish college eligibility for disability support services?
Each school has varying criteria. Generally, if a student has been approved for accommodatins by college board, then a 4 year school will accept your accommodations. Many of the 2 year colleges are requesting that the student have recently updated testing (they want new psychoeducational testing within 10th-12th grade).The new testing results will determine if you will qualify for support services.
Ronald Harris
How does a student establish college eligibility for disability support services?
A student must tell to the Office of Disability Services that he/she need assistance.
Deborah SlocumSchool CounselorCollege Counseling from a Caring Perspective
How does a student establish college eligibility for disability support services?
A student establishes college eligibility for disability support services by meeting with the professionals in the disabilities office of the given college. A student makes an appointment and brings with him/her the required documentation. Most colleges will make readily available for the student the expected documentation; typically documentation required includes psychological testing, dated within the past 3-5 years including ability and achievement testing. In addition to these batteries, depending on the disability, other documenation may be required. The student may also be asked to bring his/her most recent Individualized Education Plan or 504 Plan but the college is NOT required to provide the same accommodations as provided by the student’s high school. The college may use a recent plan as a guideline but will often evaluate the provided testing themselves and arrive and their own decision as to what accommodations should be provided.
Annie ReznikCounselor/CEOCollege Guidance Coach
How does a student establish college eligibility for disability support services?
Each college will have specific expectations and requirements. Some colleges have specific programs for students with documented learning differences. Students take skill-building classes alongside academic courses. In this case, eligibility is established during the admissions process. Otherwise, identifying pertinent accommodations or resources at a specific college is a student’s responsibility. Eligibility for services would take place after matriculation (though most student support centers welcome individual appointments with prospective families). At a minimum, colleges require an up-to-date neuro-psychological or educational evaluation complete with recently collected testing outcomes. Institutions may request information from the student’s former school to understand the past context of accommodations.
Kathleen HarringtonOwnerNew Jersey College Consulting
How does a student establish college eligibility for disability support services?
A student must disclose to the Office of Disability Services that he/she will be in need of accommodations/modifications. The earlier the paperwork is filed with the office, the better. More than likely, your IEP from high school and additional documentation will be required in addition to the colleges disability services application.
Reecy ArestyCollege Admissions/Financial Aid Expert & AuthorPayless For College, Inc.
How does a student establish college eligibility for disability support services?
Call the college & simply ask what the requirements are.
Mandy ReillyCounselor
How does a student establish college eligibility for disability support services?
The first step is to contact the college’s office of Disabilities Services. They will lead you step by step throug the process of seeking support services and or accomodations.
If you are seeking assistance for a learning disability it is likely that you will need to have documentation, either from your high school or from a qualified professional. Many colleges can refer you to qualified professionals with whom they work.