This Just IN!January 2023 Edition
Happy 2023! We hope you are as eager about all that is happening in the world of inclusive higher education this coming year as we are. This spring season brings with it the excitement of 12 graduating seniors (woop woop!), several helpful resources, and ways for you to continuously be inspired, invested, and inclusive alongside us. In this newsletter, you will find:
- Be IN!spired: Senior Story, Georgie @ UCCS
- Be IN!vested: Scholarships and Financial Considerations
- Be IN!clusive: Apply to Inclusive Higher Education Programs Now
- IN! Spring Resources: Webinar Series, Mentorship Program, and More
- Community Resources: Employment Training & Adulting 101 Vodcast
- Mark your Calendars: Colorado is Hosting 2023 State of the Art (SOTA) Conference on Inclusive Higher Education
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| SENIOR STORY: Georgie @ UCCS!
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Meet Georgie, a senior at UCCS getting ready to graduate with her Comprehensive Higher Education Certificate in Fitness and Nutrition! She shares with us the many things she has learned over her four years at college, including how to create her very own person-driven plan, how to stay focused, and of course how to make a mean quesadilla. After graduation, Georgie plans to travel and then come back to Colorado and settle into a job that she loves. It is clear how proud Georgie is of all that she has accomplished, and we are confident she will continue to do amazing things. Check out her video below for a douse of inspiration and joy.
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Scholarships & Financial Considerations
We know, sending your student to an inclusive higher education program can feel financially daunting. However, there are several resources that can help chip away at the cost of college, allowing you and your loved ones to see the life-long return on investment that inclusive higher education provides.
Scholarships Additional Considerations - Financial Aid: The programs at UNC, ACC, and UCC have all received Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP) status, which allows students with ID to apply for Federal Financial Aid to access Pell Grants and work-study funds. Be sure to contact your school's financial aid office and complete a FAFSA application early on. You can find out more at this link or see the Think College Financial Aid FAQ.
- ABLE Savings Account: ABLE accounts are savings accounts designed for individuals with disabilities and their families. Funds within ABLE accounts can be used to support inclusive higher education, so we encourage families to look into them and begin saving now. You can find out more at this link or see our recent ABLE Account webinar.
- For more resources, download IN!'s financial considerations handout.
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Submit Your Application Today
Inclusive higher education programs will be concluding their applications for the 2023-2024 school year shortly, so be sure to submit yours today. Check out these important dates and links to get the application process started.
University of Colorado Colorado Springs - Office of Inclusive Service (OIS)
University of Northern Colorado - GOA
Arapahoe Community College - Elevate
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IN! Spring Resources
We are committed to providing resources to students, families, and educators that help prepare for and navigate the path to inclusive higher education. We are excited for what's on the docket this spring, and we hope you join in!
- Spring Webinar Series: This semester, we are offering three different webinar tracks - General, Educator, and Family - in order to offer more specified resources to you. Be sure to see our full spring webinar calendar and register in advance. Our first IN! 101 webinar will be next Thursday, January 26 - register here.
- Spring College Mentorship Program: Each semester, IN! offers a free 6 week mentorship program for high school students with intellectual disabilities (ID) to meet and get to know current college students with ID. This is a great way for your student to find out more about inclusive higher education. The deadline to participate in our spring session is January 23rd. Be sure to read all the details and apply here.
- Prospective Family Office Hours: A newer resource is our weekly office hours on Tuesdays from 3-5pm. This is a standing time for prospective families to schedule meetings with our Community Engagement Coordinator to ask direct questions and feel equipped to take the necessary next steps. Sign up here.
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Community Resources
We love being a part of a much larger network of passionate organizations. Check out these amazing opportunities to learn and engage with resources in our community.
- Colorado Office of Employment First Family Training: Sign up for COEF's "A Brighter Future: Navigating the World of Disability and Employment" - a new interactive curriculum and training for youth and families to learn about about employment possibilities and services.
- Adulting 101 Vodcast/Podcast: THINK+change & The Arc of Aurora offers a vodcast/podcast series to help individuals with IDD and their families prepare for adulthood. Over five episodes, you can learn the ins and outs of transition planning.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS: OCTOBER 25-26
We are proud to announce that IN! & the University of Colorado Colorado Springs Office of Inclusive Services will be hosting the 2023 State of the Art (SOTA) Conference on Inclusive Higher Education. SOTA provides opportunities for colleges, universities, researchers, program staff, parents and students to learn about the current state of research and practice in the field of inclusive postsecondary/higher education. There is also a parallel Student Leadership Conference bringing current and prospective students together to learn useful tools for transitioning to college. Be sure to mark your calendars now and stay up to date on registration details.
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We invite you to give to our mission and help us continue opening doors and paving paths to inclusive higher education in our state.
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