Since most colleges, universities, and technical colleges charge tuition, it's crucial for students and families to grasp the critical components of financing a higher education. Here are some of the options available to cover these costs.
Many students use financial aid, which is the funding offered to qualified students who attend postsecondary education institutions.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a crucial first step for students seeking financial assistance for higher education. This free online form simplifies the application process for various federal financial aid programs. The U.S. Department of Education's Federal Student Aid website offers information on financial aid opportunities and eligibility requirements.
If the postsecondary education program the student chooses is an approved federal Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP), qualified students with intellectual disabilities can receive:
Visit FCSUA's Find an FPCTP page to determine whether the programs you considered are approved federal CTPs.
If the postsecondary education program is an approved Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program (FPCTP), it may provide Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program Scholarships for eligible students. Visit FCSUA's Find an FPCTP page to determine whether the programs considered are approved FPCTPs.
Scholarship funds are available annually to eligible students who physically attend 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 receive services funded through the Florida Education Finance Program or a scholarship (i.e., Opportunity Scholarship Program, The Gardiner Scholarship, The John M. McKay Scholarship, or the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program). Students must show satisfactory academic progress (SAP) to maintain scholarship eligibility.
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 consider this additional cost.
There is no application for students to receive the scholarship. The FPCTP is responsible for requesting student scholarships from FCSUA. The scholarship funds are then distributed to the institution's financial office.