Paying for College - Exploring Funding Sources for an Inclusive Postsecondary Education Program - Issue No. 53

Oct 15, 2026

A Think College issue explores how students with intellectual disability can finance college through inclusive postsecondary programs. It surveys key funding sources including federal financial aid via approved Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) programs, scholarships for non-degree pathways, Medicaid HCBS waivers for tuition, supports, and services, and vocational rehabilitation that can fund education costs aligned to an individual employment plan. The brief also explains why federal student loans are generally unavailable and highlights limited private loan options.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

Federal Financial Aid

Approved CTP Programs

FAFSA Requirement

Scholarships

Medicaid Waiver Funds

Vocational Rehabilitation

Loans

A Think College Brief on Policy, Research, & Practice INSIGHT ISSUE NO. 53 updated 2025 Paying for College: Exploring Funding Sources for an Inclusive Postsecondary Education Program By Cate Weir A college education is an investment in the future for every student who pursues one, but it does not come cheap! College expenses include tuition, fees, books, equipment, and room and board, if a student chooses to live on campus. These all add up, and every student must determine where the funding for college will come from. Students with intellectual disability (ID) are likely to use many of the same resources as other college students to pay for college. There are some resources specific to individuals with disabilities to consider as well. Students are using numerous approaches to pay for college, often braiding together several different funding sources to cover the costs. Here is some information about a variety of possible funding sources that students and their families can consider as they determine what will work for their specific situations: FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID Many college programs for students with ID have been approved as Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) Programs. These programs are able to offer access to federal student aid for eligible students with ID, even if they do not have a regular highschool diploma or are not working toward a degree. Students who meet the income eligibility requirements may be eligible for Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, and Federal Work-Study. Students in non-degree CTP programs are not eligible for federally subsidized student loans. This Think College Federal Financial Aid brief shares details on accessing federal student aid for students with ID attending approved CTP programs. You can find a list of current approved CTP programs by using the College Search on the Think College website, and sorting by “offers Financial Aid.” To access federal student aid, students will be required to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. This is the same form that all college students use to determine eligibility for aid. Learn more on the FAFSA website. SCHOLARSHIPS Scholarships typically do not cover the full cost of attendance for any student, but they can be an important part of financing education. Think College publishes a list of scholarships (updated annually) that are possible resources for students with ID attending non-degree programs. Read this resource to learn about state level scholarships, program level scholarships, disability-specific scholarships, and more. MEDICAID WAIVER FUNDS An increasing number of states allow students with ID to use Medicaid Home and CommunityBased Services (HCBS) waivers to support participation in postsecondary education programs. Medicaid waivers have been used to fund a variety of supports and services for college students with ID, as well as tuition or fees in some cases. Think College has published a brief that describes how Medicaid waiver funds are being used to support college attendance. Students who are eligible for Medicaid waiver services can pursue this source of funding to see if Medicaid can help pay for college costs as well as related support services such as transportation, peer support, or independent living instruction while in college. INSIGHT: A Think College Brief on Policy, Research, & Practice • Issue No. 53 VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION Students with ID may be able to access support from vocational rehabilitation (VR) services to help cover college costs while working to achieve their employment goals. In addition to employment counseling, guidance, and disabilityrelated interventions, VR may provide funding for tuition, fees, books, housing, and other education related services. Funding options and amounts vary based on the individual needs of each student as well as the policies and practices of each state. VR may also use inform

FAQs

What federal student aid can students with intellectual disability access through approved CTP programs?

Approved CTP programs can offer access to Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, and Federal Work-Study for eligible students with ID. Students in non-degree CTP programs are not eligible for federally subsidized student loans.

Why are scholarships important for paying for college even if they don’t cover all costs?

Scholarships typically do not cover the full cost of attendance, but they can be a meaningful part of financing education. The brief points to Think College’s updated list of scholarships for students with ID in non-degree programs, including state, program-level, and disability-specific options.

How does vocational rehabilitation decide whether to fund a student’s college attendance?

VR funding depends on eligibility and alignment with an identified vocational goal included in an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). The decision is based on the IPE and the expectation that college will lead to competitively employed outcomes with career advancement, and students can request a funding review if there is disagreement.

Oct 15, 2026

Upload by Aria Callaghan