More and more learning disabled high school students are opting to go to college. According to the National Association of School Psychologists, 6-8% of freshmen entering from 1988-2000 had a disability of some kind, with the fastest growing group being those with a specific learning disability.
Services for the Learning Disabled
It is estimated there are over one thousand two and four year institutions in the U.S. and Canada that offer programs for learning disabled students (Colleges for Students With Learning Disabilities). The support services offered generally include special tutoring, mentorships, counseling, support with test-taking strategies, and time management, etc. To qualify for these services, students must present documentation of their learning disability .
Top Ranked U.S. Universities With LD Programs
The 2008 U.S. News & World Report lists the top fifty public national universities and there are four on that list that offer programs for the learning disabled:
The University of Connecticut
- Campus size: very large
- Undergraduates enrolled: 16,036
- Cost of tuition: In-state- $7,200 yr; out-of-state- $21,912
- LD services: Two programs on campus: the Center for Students with Disabilities and the University Program for College Students with Learning Disabilities
- Financial Aid: 49% of undergraduates awarded financial aid, with the average amount being about $10, 500.
The University of Iowa
- Campus size: very large
- Undergraduates enrolled: 21,000
- Cost of tuition: In-state- $6,293 yr; out-of-state- $19,465
- LD services: REACH program (Realizing Educational and Career Hopes). Twenty five new students are accepted into the program each year depending upon the applicant's learning performance, current life skills, and job interests.
- Financial Aid: 55% of undergraduates awarded financial aid, with the average amount being about $7,480.
Iowa State University
- Campus size: large
- Undergraduates enrolled: 20,440
- Cost of tuition: In-state- $5,352 yr; out-of-state- $16,110
- LD services: Student Disability Resources- Services include a campus accessibility map, a foreign language resource center, learning communities, writing center and help rooms for economics and math.
- Financial Aid: 55% of undergraduates awarded financial aid, with the average amount being $9,448.
The University of Arizona
- Campus size: large
- Undergraduates enrolled: 28,368
- Cost of tuition: In-state- $2,725 yr; out-of-state- $7,620
- LD services: SALT (the Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques Center) provides academic services and accommodations to students with learning disabilities. The program is housed in its own 16,000 square foot building and students are offered a variety of support services, including a computer lab complete with an array of assisted technology.
- Financial Aid: 40% of undergraduates awarded financial aid, with the average amount being $8,255.
Financial Aid for Higher Education
A variety of scholarships are available for learning disabled students in order to fund postsecondary education. See the article, Scholarships for Learning Disabled Students, for a variety of available scholarships and contact information.
Candy Carlile - Candy has 28 years of experience in education and writing. She has a doctorate in curriculum and instruction, with certifications in ...
