Frequently Asked Questions


Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities

The FCSUA is located at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida.

The FCSUA was created by the Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program Act (FS 1004.6495). This legislation articulated the responsibilities of the FCSUA and its executive director and established Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program (FPCTP) parameters and accountability requirements.

Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Programs

All Florida state universities, state colleges, career technical colleges and independent colleges or universities that are located and chartered in Florida, are not-for-profit, are accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and are eligible to participate in the William L. Boyd, IV, Florida Resident Access Grant Program.

The purpose is to increase independent living, inclusive and experiential postsecondary education, and employment opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities through inclusive postsecondary education programs with access to meaningful credentials.

Institutions must apply to become an approved FPCTP. FCSUA assists in completing the application. After becoming an approved FPCTP, institutions are eligible to apply for an FPCTP Grant. To learn more, visit our page on becoming an FPCTP.

To be designated as a Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program (FPCTP), a program must meet several requirements. These include offering students valuable credentials, industry certifications, a focus on helping them achieve employment goals, and an inclusive learning environment. Participation in the program requires at least half-time enrollment and in-person. Additionally, the program must establish a clear definition of satisfactory academic progress (SAP) and go through a federal application process for comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs (CTP).

Information on approved FPCTPs can be found on FCSUA Find a Postsecondary Education page.

CTP applications must be submitted not later than a year after the FPCTP Application is approved. To be approved as an FPCTP, applicants must provide: (1) evidence that the institution currently offers a federally approved Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Program, (2) documentation of the submission of an application for Federal approval of a program, or (3) documentation that the institution's governing board intends to submit an application within the subsequent academic year of FPCTP approval.

To be eligible to enroll in an FPCTP, an applicant must be a student with an intellectual disability who is no longer served by the K-12 education system. The FPCTP institution is responsible for verifying student eligibility.

All institutions are eligible to start an FPCTP. However, it is the institution who will need to initiate the application process with FCSUA. It is important to note that having an FPCTP is not mandatory by law.

Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program Grants

The purpose of an FPCTP Initial Grant is to facilitate development and initial implementation of an approved but not yet realized FPTCP. That is, the intent of this funding is to spur development of additional postsecondary education programs across Florida. Thus, the Initial Grants will provide resources to institutions to implement the program described and approved in their FPCTP application. In this case, the FPCTP application may be submitted either prior to or at the same time as the Initial Grant proposal.

The purpose of an FPCTP Continuing Grant is to facilitate implementation of planned improvements and or expansion of an existing program already serving students with intellectual disabilities. The Continuing Grant may be used to establish the program elements needed to move the program from its current state to an approved FPCTP or to expand the capacity or quality of an already approved FPCTP. Thus, the Continuing Grant funds will provide resources to an institution that falls into one of the following categories:

  • The institution's existing program for students with intellectual disabilities has applied for FPCTP (Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program) approval. Continuing Grant funds would be used to implement the program elements described in the application and achieve FPCTP designation. This means enhancing the program to meet the required FPCTP criteria. The Continuing Grant proposal can be submitted after or concurrently with the FPCTP application.

    • OR

  • The institution has already been approved FPCTP and wants to either expand the program offerings and or services or increase the number of students it serves. In this case, the FPCTP application has been approved previously.

    • Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program Student Scholarships

    Scholarship funds are available annually to eligible students who physically attend approved in a Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program (FPCTP). Scholarships are available only to eligible students, defined as a student with an intellectual disability. Students must not be receiving services that are funded through the Florida Education Finance Program or a scholarship (i.e., Opportunity Scholarship Program, The Gardiner Scholarship, The John M. McKay Scholarship, or Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program). To maintain scholarship eligibility, students must show satisfactory academic progress (SAP). The FPCTP is responsible for requesting student scholarships from the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities (FCSUA) and must also determine the initial and continuing eligibility of their students to receive a FPCTP Scholarship.

    Scholarship awards typically range from $7,000 to $15,000. The specific amount a student receives depends on the characteristics and total cost of the program they choose. If a student decides to use the program's housing option, the scholarship award will take this additional cost into account.

    No. The FPCTP is responsible for requesting student scholarships from FCSUA. The scholarship funds are then distributed to the institution financial office.

    The FPCTP Scholarship is intended to help pay for a student’s expenses associated with the student’s participation in the FPCTP such as the following: Tuition, academic fees, textbooks, uniforms, supplies (such as consumable academic supplies and software subscriptions), mentor fee, transportation/bus fee, other such related fees, industry certification exams, technology, and general expenses associated with participating in postsecondary education.

    Yes! Pre-paid college funds can be used for students to attend FPCTPs. FPCTPs are part of the institution. Once an approved FPCTP has become a federally approved Comprehensive Federal Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP), students are eligible to apply for Pell grants by completing the FAFSA form.



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