Transition Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities into Higher Education

Funding under this program supports competitive grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) (as defined under section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA)), or consortia of IHEs, to create or expand high-quality, inclusi

The purpose of the TPSID program is to support model demonstration programs that promote the successful transition of students with intellectual disabilities into higher education and to enable institutions of higher education (IHEs), or consortia of IHEs, to create or expand high-quality, inclusive model comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities.

Institutions of higher education (IHEs) (as defined under section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended) and consortia of IHEs are eligible to receive grants under the TPSID program. All grant recipients must partner with one or more local educational agencies to support students with intellectual disabilities who are still eligible for special education and related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Proprietary schools (for-profit entities) are not eligible to apply for a grant under this program.

Grant funds establish model comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities at institutions of higher education. Funds also support a Coordinating Center that: provides technical assistance for all comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities; conducts and disseminates research to the public on strategies to promote academic, social, employment, and independent living outcomes for students with intellectual disabilities; and builds capacity of Kindergarten through Grade 12 transition services and supports of local and State education agencies.

An institution of higher education (IHE) shall use grant funds to establish a model comprehensive transition and postsecondary program for students with intellectual disabilities that 1) serves students with intellectual disabilities, 2) provides individual supports and services for the academic and social inclusion of students with intellectual disabilities in academic courses, extracurricular activities, and other aspects of the IHE's regular postsecondary program, 3) provides a focus on academic enrichment, socialization, independent living skills, including self-advocacy, and integrated work experiences and career skills that lead to gainful employment, 4) integrates person-centered planning in the development of the course of study for each student with an intellectual disability participating in the model program, 5) participates with the coordinating center established under section 777(b) of the Higher Education Act, as amended, in the evaluation of the model program, 6) partners with one or more local education agencies to support students with intellectual disabilities participating in the model program who are still eligible for special education and related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 7) plans for the sustainability of the model program after the end of the grant period, and 8) creates and offers a meaningful credential for student with intellectual disabilities upon the completion of the model program. Grantees under this program must provide, from non-Federal funds, a matching contribution equal to at least 25 percent of the cost of the project. The Coordinating Center will provide recommendations related to the development of standards, provide technical assistance and evaluations for model demonstration programs. The center will assist in the development, evaluation, funding, outreach, and continuous improvement of model transition programs. There is no matching requirement for the Coordinating Center.

The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3485. The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted in 2 CFR part 3474.

Grants are made for up to 5 years, subject to the availability of funds.

Selection criteria can be found in the notice inviting application and the accompanying application package. For questions related to selection criteria, contact the Program Office.

Applications are reviewed for quality and compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, and are scored by peer reviewers based on criteria included in the application package. The Department determines which applications will be funded based on the quality of the applications as determined through peer review and consider the following factors: 1) providing for an equitable geographic distribution of grants, 2) providing grant funds for model comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities that will serve areas that are underserved by programs of this type, and 3) giving preference to applicants that form a partnership with any relevant agency serving students with intellectual disabilities such as a vocational rehabilitation agency, integrate students with intellectual disabilities into housing offered to nondisabled students, or involve students attending the IHE who are studying special education, general education, vocational rehabilitation, assistive technology, or related fields in the model program. The Department also considers the past performance of an applicant in carrying out a previous award.

Application deadlines are identified in the notice inviting applications, published in the Federal Register. The estimated range of time need to approve/disapprove an application is usually within 3 months of the submission deadline.

Grants and cooperative agreements are awarded for a period of 5 years, subject to the availability of appropriations.