- Create a press release announcing your program that can be sent to approved media outlets. This announcement can also be sent to school districts, agencies, and disability programs within your range.
- Create a webpage connected to the institute's webpage with information for families of students with intellectual disabilities about the program.
- Create a flyer/brochure about your program. Include information about the credentials offered, the application process and other unique characteristics about your program that students may need to be aware of. Visit Find A Postsecondary Program to see other FPCTP brochures.
- Schedule meetings to share the program with school districts and agencies.
- For the FPCTP, there is an annual program report, student information reports, and graduate reports. For more details on how to submit these reports visit the FPCTP Reports page.
- For those who have been awarded a FPCTP grant, there are quarterly invoices and summary of activities and an annual and final performance report. For more details on how to submit these reports visit the FPCTP Grants Related Reports page.
- The Strategic Planning Tool - Postsecondary Education will also have a mid-year (Step 4) and end of year (Step 5) reporting scheduled with a facilitator to review program goals, tasks, and action plans.
- Schedule meetings to share the program with school districts and agencies.
Postsecondary education institutions participating in the federal financial aid programs under Title IV are eligible to apply to have their postsecondary education program for students with intellectual disabilities approved as a comprehensive transition and postsecondary (CTP) program at the federal level. Federal CTP program requirements are like those for Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Programs (FPCTPs) as defined in the Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program Act (FS 1004.6495) with the exception of the meaningful credential requirement for FPCTPs. FPCTPs must complete the CTP application and become approved within a year of becoming approved FPCTP.
Being an approved CTP program means students can apply for federal student aid to help pay for their studies. The Higher Education Opportunity Act, (Public Law 110-315) includes provisions that allow students with intellectual disabilities attending approved CTPs to receive federal student financial aid funding. This includes Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and Federal Work-Study Programs:
- Federal Pell Grant - A federal grant for undergraduate students with financial need. Unlike loans, the Pell Grant does not have to be paid back, except under certain circumstances.
- Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) - is a grant for undergraduate students with exceptional need.
- Work-Study Programs - A federal student aid program that provides part-time employment while students are enrolled in school to help pay your education expenses.
The CTP application is completed through the financial aid office through the institutions “e-app.” The FPCTP coordinator will need to work with the financial aid office by preparing a detailed description of the CTP program and which indicates how the program meets all the regulatory requirements for a CTP program, listed below.
- Be delivered to students physically attending the institution.
- Be designed to support students with intellectual disabilities who are seeking to continue academic, career and technical, and independent living instruction at an institution of higher education to prepare for gainful employment.
- Include an advising and curriculum structure.
-
Require students with intellectual
disabilities to have at least one-half of
their participation in the program, as
determined by the institution, focus on
academic components through one or more of the
following activities:
- Taking credit-bearing courses with students without disabilities.
- Auditing or otherwise participating in courses with students without disabilities for which the student does not receive regular academic credit.
- Taking non-credit-bearing, non-degree courses with students without disabilities.
- Participating in internships or work-based training in settings with individuals without disabilities; and
- Provide students with intellectual disabilities opportunities to participate in coursework and other activities with students without disabilities.
-
An institution's application for approval of
its CTP program must also include:
- The institution's policy for determining whether a student enrolled in the program is making satisfactory academic progress.
- The number of weeks of instructional time and the number of semester or quarter credit hours or clock hours in the program, including the equivalent credit or clock hours associated with noncredit or reduced credit courses or activities.
- A description of the educational credential offered (e.g., degree or certificate) or identified outcome or outcomes established by the institution for all students enrolled in the program.
- A copy of the letter or notice sent to the institution's accrediting agency informing the agency of its CTP program. The letter or notice must include a description of the items in paragraphs (1) through (4) of this section.
