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Post-Secondary Education
and
Financial Aid for Students with Developmental Disabilities
What is post-secondary education? Post-secondary education is any type of education at a school or training
beyond the high school level (i.e., community college, four-year University, vocational training program).
What is dual enrollment? Many high schools offer dual enrollment initiatives that support students with ID/DD
(Intellectual Disability/Developmental Disability) to attend college as part of their transition plan.
What about funding for post-secondary education? The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) of 2008
allows for students with ID/DD to be eligible for federal financial aid.
What is needed to be eligible for financial aid? Under Title IV of the HEOA , to be eligible for these benefits
there are requirements that the student with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities is enrolled or
accepted for enrollment in a comprehensive transition and post-secondary program at specific institutions of
higher education (IHE) and maintain satisfactory progress in the program.
 In an inclusive post-secondary education (PSE) students with ID/DD participate in academic classes and
social activities on college campuses with students without disabilities and receive individualized supports
and accommodations.
How do I apply for financial aid? Check with your financial aid officer at a post-secondary institution or your
high school guidance counselor. You may also call the federal Student Aid Information Center at 800-433-3243.
An online Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application can be found at www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
What other funding is available?
 If you qualify for Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services through New Mexico’s Department of Vocational
Rehabilitation (DVR), you may be eligible to receive tuition supports as part of your Individualized Plan for
Employment (IPE). You will have to apply for financial aid before DVR can determine whether or how much
they will help with your tuition expenses.
 Many organization, associations, colleges and universities have grants and scholarships available
 Disaboom - http://www.disaboom.com/scholarships/ is a website listing comprehensive disability related
scholarships, condition-specific scholarships and group-specific disability scholarships.
Examples of Post-secondary education opportunities in New Mexico:
 UNM – Accessibility Resource Center – 505-277-3506
 CNM – Disability Resource Center – 505-224-3259
 ENMU – Office of Disability Services (DSO) – 575-562-2280
 ENMU/Roswell – 575-624-7286
 NMSU – Student Accessibility Services – 575-646-6840
 WNMU – Disability Support Services – 575-538-6400
For additional Post-secondary education opportunities in New Mexico, contact the college or university you
are interested in directly.
Resource: Think College – http://www.thinkcollege.net/ - This website is designed to share information for
transition aged students as well as adults attending or planning for college. It provides resources and tools for
students, families, and professionals.
Laurel began her college experience by enrolling in a 45 hour early childhood
course at Central New Mexico Community College (CNM). Since completing the
course, Laurel gained employment at a local preschool as a teacher’s aide and is
looking forward to enrolling in her next college course!
To view and/or print Fact Sheets, go to: http://cdd.unm.edu/infonet/publications/index.asp
University of New Mexico • Center for Development and Disability (UNM/CDD)
A University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service
CDD • Information Network • 2300 Menaul NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107• 800-552-8195 • http://cdd.unm.edu
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