Enrichment · Wellbeing

In college, you ask first.
Here is how.

The IEP ends at graduation and nobody at college will reach out to you. This guide walks a student through what changes, what to gather, how to get from the intake form to letters in every instructor’s inbox, and what to do if a request is turned down.

Start a college planWhat you get

College plans

The worked example is a made-up student starting at a state university in January after a summer course at a community college. Plans save on this device only.

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What you get

Enrichment · WellbeingAlso for Vocations · Job SkillsFree

What you finish with
A plan per college with the first day of classes, the office and its deadline; six things that change after high school; four documents; six setup steps; the accommodations asked for with status and high school use; questions for the office; flags for a close deadline or start date without a request, letters not sent, a denial and an empty list.
Who it is for
High school juniors and seniors with an IEP or 504 plan, college students with disabilities, their families, and the transition teachers and school counselors who help them prepare.
Format
Browser guide and checklist with a saved plan per college. Prints a plan, all plans or a blank form; downloads a spreadsheet (.csv); exports and imports a file.
Access
Free. No account, no sign-in and nothing to install. Everything you type stays in this browser; nothing is sent to Caveat.
Where it lives
The Wellbeing space in Caveat Enrichment; also listed in the Job Skills space (as the Postsecondary Accessibility Transition Checklist).
Support
Questions about access, an order or a correction: team@caveatacademic.com.

How to use it

  1. Find the disability services office on the college website and note its deadline.
  2. Read what changes after high school and mark anything you are not sure about.
  3. Gather the documents, especially the Summary of Performance.
  4. List the accommodations that helped in high school and send the request.
  5. Send letters to each instructor at the start of every term.

Start a college plan

What changes after high school

High school and college, side by sideHigh schoolCollegeWho starts itThe school finds and evaluates youYou contact the officeThe lawIDEA, and Section 504Section 504 and the ADAThe planAn IEP, written by a teamLetters, every termWhat changesContent and goals can be modifiedAccess, same requirementsHigh school and college, side by sideWho starts itHS: The school finds and evaluates youYou contact the officeThe lawHS: IDEA, and Section 504Section 504 and the ADAThe planHS: An IEP, written by a teamLetters, every termWhat changesHS: Content and goals can be modifiedAccess, same requirements
The biggest change is who moves first. In college nothing happens until the student contacts the office.

Your rights in college

Colleges that receive federal money, and nearly all others, must not discriminate on the basis of disability under Section 504 and the ADA. They must provide reasonable accommodations once you ask and show you qualify, but they do not have to lower course standards, provide personal services such as an aide, or give you an IEP.

If a request is turned down

Ask the office to explain the decision in writing and whether another accommodation would work. Every college has a grievance process and a person who coordinates its Section 504 and ADA duties. You can also file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education.

Sources

  1. U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights. Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities (ed.gov).
  2. U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights. Transition of Students with Disabilities to Postsecondary Education: A Guide for High School Educators (ed.gov).
  3. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 34 CFR 300.305(e)(3): the summary of academic achievement and functional performance for students leaving school.
  4. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (34 CFR part 104, subpart E) and Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  5. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (samhsa.gov/find-help/988).

The worked example is made up. This guide explains general federal rules and common college practice; each college’s own office and procedures come first. It is not legal advice. Nothing you type is sent to Caveat. Support: team@caveatacademic.com.