Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program Application

Eligibility

Are you interested in developing a Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program (FPCTP) at your institution?

Eligible institutions to start an FPCTP include:

  • State universities
  • Florida College System institutions
  • Career centers
  • Charter technical career center
  • Independent college or university that is not for profit, is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is eligible to participate in the William L. Boyd, IV, Effective Access to Student Education Grant Program.

Establish Support from Leadership

To become an approved FPCTP, your application must include the president's, superintendent’s, or CEO's letter of commitment to submit the FPCTP application. This letter must reference the governing board’s approval and the date it was approved, so begin the process with buy-in from the “top.” Partnerships and cross-institutional collaboration are key to successful program development.

Design Inclusive Program

Key elements of approved FPCTPs include experiential inclusive opportunities, access to courses, and a meaningful culminating credential that leads to employment.

Apply to become an FPCTP

The Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program Act (the Act) (FS 1004.6495) established the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities at the University of Central Florida (the Center) and charged the Center with managing the Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program (FPCTP) application and approval process. The Act also established criteria for FPCTP approval and accountability requirements associated with program renewal. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no specific deadline for submission., Within 30 days of final submission via the FCSUA Community, we will review your application.

Access to the FCSUA Community is granted once the initial strategic plan is completed using the Online Strategic Planning Tool. Visit our FPCTP Strategic Planning page to learn more about this first step.

Approval of an Initial FPCTP application is valid for the 3 academic years immediately following the academic year during which the approval is granted. For example, an Initial FPCTP application approved in May 2024 will need to be renewed before the end of 2026-2027 academic year.

An eligible institution may submit a Renewal FPCTP application to the Center requesting that the initial approval be renewed. If the approval is granted and the FPCTP continues to meet the requirements, including, but not limited to, program and student performance outcomes, and federal requirements, a renewal is valid for the 5 academic years immediately following the academic year during which the renewal is granted. For example, a renewal FPCTP application approved in May 2024, will need to be renewed before the end of 2028-2029 academic year.

An application must, at a minimum:

Identify a credential associated with the proposed program which will be awarded to eligible students upon completion of the FPCTP.

Outlines the program length and design, focusing on inclusive and successful experiential education practices. These practices will be integrated throughout the curriculum, assessment methods, advising structure, internship, and employment opportunities. Our goal is to support students with intellectual disabilities who want to pursue further academic studies, career and technical training, and independent living skills at an eligible institution. This includes, but is not limited to, providing opportunities to earn industry certifications and preparing students for successful employment.

Eligible institutions offering credit-bearing degree programs must ensure the rigor and effectiveness of their comprehensive transition degree program. This program should be maintained at the same level as other comparable degree programs offered by the institution, adhering to all applicable accreditation standards.

Outline a plan for students with intellectual disabilities to be integrated socially and academically with nondisabled students, to the maximum extent possible, and to participate on not less than a half-time basis, as determined by the eligible institution, with such participation focusing on academic components and occurring through one or more of the following activities with nondisabled students:
  • Regular enrollment in credit-bearing courses offered by the institution.
  • Auditing or participating in courses offered by the institution for which the student does not receive academic credit.
  • Enrollment in noncredit bearing, nondegree courses.
  • Participation in internships or work-based training.

Outline a plan for partnerships with businesses to promote experiential training and employment opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities.

Identify performance indicators according to the legislation and other requirements identified by the Center.

Outline a 5-year plan incorporating enrollment and operational expectations for the program.

Federal CTP Approval

As part of the institution eligibility and responsibilities the president or executive director of an eligible institution, as applicable, must submit to the Center:

  1. Documented evidence that the institution currently offers a federally approved comprehensive transition and postsecondary program that is eligible for federal student aid programs,
  2. Documented evidence of the submission of an application for such federal approval of a program proposed by the institution, or
  3. Documentation demonstrating the commitment of the institution's governing board to submit an application within the subsequent academic year for federal approval of a program pursuant to 20 U.S.C. s. 1140.

For more details and resources visit our page about Federal Comprehensive Transition Programs.

Accountability

All FPCTPs shall submit to the Center an annual Program and Student Reports due July 1 and August 1, respectively, which, at a minimum, for the prior academic year, addresses performance indicators such as recruitment efforts, completion rate, and credentials offered during the year. Please visit the FPCTP Reports page for more information about these reports.



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