College Programs for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Scholarship Opportunities
Too often students with intellectual and developmental disabilities aren't encouraged to consider college for their future. The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute wants to change that. With the right services and supports in place, many young adults can successfully attend college and graduate with a degree. Below are several college programs in New Jersey and Scholarship Opportunities that are specifically for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Scholarship Opportunities
- Scholarships for individuals with autism
- Organization for Autism Research Scholarship Programs
- Alliance Connections to the Future Scholarship - $1,000 for a graduating public school senior with disabilities from Bergen, Passaic, Hudson, Essex, Morris, Somerset, Union, Warren or Sussex County.
- Alliance Joe Gorga Transition to Adult Life Scholarship - Up to $1,000 for a graduating Alliance member school senior.
- Study.com Student Scholarships
- Study.com Scholarship for Students with Disabilities
- Study.com Scholarship for Women in STEM
- Study.com Scholarship for Indigenous Students
- Study.com Single Parent Scholarship
- Study.com Nursing Students Scholarship
Bergen Community College - Turning Point Program
Contact:
Tracy Rand
T: 201.493.4087
E: turningpoint@bergen.edu
Bridgewater State University (Bridgewater, Massachusetts) - EXCEL Certificate Program
Contact:
Lisa Turner
T: 508.531.2109
E: lturner@bridgew.edu
Brookdale Community College - Keep Achieving (Kach) at Brookdale
Contact:
Alexandria Goldrich
T: 732.493.1919
E: agoldrich@arcofmonmouth.org
Camden County College - Garden State Pathways
Contact:
Curt Watkins
T: 856.227.7200 x4425
E: cuwatkins@camdencc.edu
College of Mount Saint Vincent (Riverdale, NY) - Bridge Program
Contact:
Samantha
T: 718. 405.3241
E: bridge@mountsaintvincent.edu.
College Of Saint Elizabeth
Contact:
Dr. Brian Friedlander
T: 973.290.4261
E: bfriedlander@steu.edu
County College of Morris (Disability Services)
Contact:
Brya L. Emery
T: 802-578-0035
E: brya@collegesteps.org
Drew
Contact:
Dana Giroux
T: 973.408.3962
E: dgiroux@drew.edu
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (East Stroudsburg, PA) - Career, Independent Living and Learning Studies (CILLS)
Contact:
Domenico Cavaiuolo
T: 570.422.3893
E: dcavaiuolo@esu.edu
Fairleigh Dickinson University- Compass Program
Contact :
Liat Schneier
T: 201.692.2645 ext. 411
E: compassmetro@fdu.edu
Georgian Court University- Transition and Career University
Contact:
Dr. Sharlene Smith
T: 732.987.2658
E: ssmith@georgian.edu
This program is able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP)
Gwynedd Mercy University (Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania) - Integrated Studies
Contact:
Ariana Amaya
E: integratedstudies@gmercyu.edu
Hudson County Community College (Continuing Education and Workforce Development) - Access Program
The ACCESS Program offers structured transition support for young adults with diverse learning needs, and we want to ensure that individuals who may benefit from this opportunity are aware of the upcoming application deadline. This year, we are making an extra effort to broaden our community outreach so that students who need this type of program do not miss out.
The ACCESS Program supports students ages 17–24, with intellectual and developmental disabilities who benefit from:
- Structured learning
- Simplified language
- Skill building in independent living
- Career exploration and workplace readiness
- Social development in a supportive, inclusive environment
- Collegiate experience
Our goal is to help students build confidence, learn practical life skills, and prepare with fundamental skills sets for meaningful next steps after high school or as they transition into academic and workforce pathways and towards independent adulthood.
Key Program Features
- College-based experience within a supportive community
- Daily instruction focusing on life skills, digital literacy, simulated financial literacy employment, and self-advocacy
- Opportunities for campus engagement and community-based learning
- Individualized learning approach to support diverse learner needs
- Dedicated staff assisting with adult transition and inclusive education
REGISTER HERE for informational sessions: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/access-program-informational-session-tickets-1343189729639
Contact:
Maritza Reyes - Associate Director, Center for Adult Transition
ACCESS Program
Continuing Education & Workforce Development
E: mreyes@hccc.edu
T: 201-360-5383
KEAN University- College Steps
Contact:
Brya Emery
T: 888.732.1022
E: brya@collegesteps.org
Lesly University (Cambridge, Massachusetts) - Threshold Program
Contact:
Colin Brady
T: 617.349.8247
E: Cbrady5@lesley.edu
Mercer County Community College - DREAM program
Contact:
Susan Onaitis
T: 609.570.3375
E: onaitiss@mccc.edu
Ramapo College- Enhance Program
Contact:
Suzanne Calgi
T: 201.684.7522
E: enhance@ramapo.edu
Raritan Valley Community College - The Achievement Center
Contact:
Bob Hulit
T: 732.666.4781
E: bobh@thearcofsomerset.org
Rowan/Gloucester County College - Adult Center for Transition
Contact:
Jennifer Wilson
T: 856-464-5203 or 856-468-5000 ext: 6425
E: wilso45@rcsj.edu
Rutgers University -The College Support Program
Contact:
csp-info@rutgers.edu
Seton Hall University
-
Internship and Employment Resources
Contact:
Gianna Graw
T: 973-313-6003
E: gianna.graw1@shu.edu
Stockton University- Learning Access Program
Contact:
Anthony Thomas
T: 609.652.4988
E: Anthony.Thomas@stockton.edu
Sussex County Community College- LACE program
Contact:
Patti Nugent
E: lace@sussex.edu
Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY)- Inclusive U
Contact:
Brianna M. Shults
T: 315.443.4058
E: bmshults@syr.edu
The College of New Jersey - Career and Community Studies
Contact:
Amy Schuler
T: 609.771.3342
E: schuler4@tcnj.edu