Financial assistance to students with disabilities is often provided by state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies. State VR agency titles vary from state to state. You may contact a state education agency, or a public library to get the local phone numbers. Or for a state-by-state directory of VR agencies go to
http://www.jan.wvu.edu/SBSES/VOCREHAB.HTM
During your junior year in high school, you may begin the application process with VR. Your local VR agency will determine if you are eligible for services. To be eligible, you must have an impairment that results in a substantial impediment to employment.
Among the services that may be provided by VR agencies to you once you become a client are:
- Help with tuition expenses
- Room and board
- Transportation/commuting expenses
- Books and supplies
- Telecommunications, and other technological aids and devices
Services provided to you must be authorized in advance in an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) developed by you and the VR counselor. There are differences between states' VR programs and policies because each state administers its own program within the provisions of a state plan developed under the requirements of the Rehabilitation Act and federal VR regulations and approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
If you want to learn more about Vocational Rehabilitation visit their website. That site also includes a complete list of frequently asked questions about VR.
Federal Financial Aid
There are three types of financial aid from the federal government available to help you meet your educational expenses:
- Grants - Gift Aid that does not have to be repaid
- Loans - Money borrowed to cover school costs, which must be repaid (with interest) over a specified period of time (after you have dropped below half time enrollment, left school, or graduated)
- Federal Work-Study - Employment that enables you to earn money through part-time employment during periods of enrollment.
Gallaudet University Aid
Institutional scholarships or grants at Gallaudet are gifts and awards based on students' academic achievement, background, financial need and other criteria. Gallaudet's Financial Aid Office matches students with scholarship requirements. If you apply for financial aid by the deadline dates, you will automatically be considered for individual scholarships. The priority date for institutional grants and scholarships is July 1st for receipt of both the FAFSA and IFAA. Applications will continue to be accepted after that date, but will be considered for federal assistance only.
Required Applications
FAFSA: All students applying for institutional or federal assistance are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The (FAFSA) paper application will arrive in your high school guidance office by December or January of each year. You can also file a copy electronically at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
Gallaudet IFAA: Students must also complete the Gallaudet Institutional Financial Aid Application (IFAA). The IFAA may be found on our website at: http://www.gallaudet.edu/x1308.xml.
Complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1, 2007. Use the most accurate income tax information possible to complete the form.
Keep track of the date you sent in each form. If you sent the application through the mail, your FAFSA should be processed in about four weeks. At that point, look for your Student Aid Report (SAR) or a paper SAR Acknowledgement in the mail. Electronic FAFSAs may take one to two weeks. Be sure to include Gallaudet's school code: 001443 on your FAFSA. Gallaudet will not receive the results of your application if the school code is not on your application.
If you provided an email address on either your paper or electronic application, you will receive an email notification with a link to your SAR data on the web. If your SAR is delayed, you can check on your application by calling via tty at 1-800-730-8913 or voice at (800) 433-3243.
Keep in touch with the Financial Aid Office during your application process. Ask if they have received your application data and if they are processing your aid package, or if additional information is required. More detailed information about financial aid can be found at the Financial Aid Office website.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that provides financial assistance to deaf and hard of hearing students who have little or no income and resources. The amount of the SSI payment is dependent on your income and resources. If you are under 18, some of your parents' income and resources may be included in figuring your potential payment.
Any money you earn from the Federal Work-Study program (explained earlier) or any other employment may affect your SSI benefits. If you receive SSI, be sure you understand how much you can earn at a part-time job before you begin working. You will have to pay back money if you go over your approved benefit.
Your Vocational Rehabilitation counselor can explain this benefit to you in more detail.
The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program allows workers and eligible dependents to receive monthly cash benefits because of a period of disability. If you have been employed for a specific number of years and are going back to college, you may receive this benefit based on your work record.
Or, if your parents have filed for Social Security or if a parent is deceased, you may also qualify for dependents' benefits based on your parent's work record.
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