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REACH Program

REACH Program
College of Charleston
REACH Program
66 George St
Charleston, SC 29424
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Program Contact Nora Krasowski
Program Contact Email reachprogram@cofc.edu
Phone 843.953.4849
Website Program website

The REACH Program at the College of Charleston is a four-year, fully inclusive certificate program for students with mild intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) that provides an education in academics, social development, independent living, and career development. Our goal is to enable students to become as self-determined and independent as possible while learning the skills they need in a fully inclusive environment.

Program information submitted: February 1, 2024

General
Public or private: Public
Type of school: 4-year college or university
Is this program a federally funded TPSID program? No
Number of students: 33
Requirements
Program serves students who have left high school? Yes, all of our students have left high school
Regular high school diploma required? No, an IEP/non-standard diploma/certificate of attendance is accepted
Deadline to apply to this program: Rolling
Criteria for admission
  • Student must be 18 or older
  • The student is not under guardianship
Accepts out-of-state students? Yes
Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have:
  • Intellectual disability
  • Autism
Planned program length 4 years
Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates
Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term: 17.85%
Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one: 100.00%
Cost
Average student tuition and fees for the current school year: $12518.00
Average out-of-state tuition, current year: $33978.00
Room and board: $9860.00
Program fees: $14800.00
Additional costs: $0.00

These totals are estimates; course fees, books and housing supplies are not included.

Is this program able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP)? Yes
Students pay for the program in the following ways:
  • Private pay (student and family)
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Funds
  • Scholarships
  • Federal Financial Aid
Scholarships available:

SC Residents Only: College Transition Program Need-based Grant: up to $10,000 per year for up to 8 terms. College Transition Program Scholarship: up to $10,000 per year for up to 8 terms. REACH Program Scholarship: are supplemental and based on need. George Ramsay Endowed/Annual Scholarship: first preference is for students with Down Syndrome from Charleston County; second preference is for students with Down Syndrome from South Carolina; third preference is for students with Down Syndrome who reside outside of South Carolina.

Academic
Students enrolled in this program take the following types of inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): Typical college courses for audit
More about course access:

Students take at least two traditional courses each semester and with the Office of Academic Advising and Planning Center to choose classes from the college's course catalog.

Students take courses that are only for students in this program: Yes
Information on special classes:

Students participate in one REACH support course each semester designed to provide essential support for success. Examples include: Transition to College, Personal Finance, Community Engagement, Career Exploration.

Percentage of academic time spent in inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): 75-99%
Do all students in this program enroll in at least one inclusive college/university course for credit or audit each semester? Yes
Credential(s) students earn upon completing the program: College of Charleston REACH Certificate in 'a named area of study'
Is the credential approved by the college/university? Yes, this credential has been through a formal approval process at the IHE
Students in the program have access to the following campus-wide services:
  • Career services
  • Disability/accessibility services
  • Academic tutoring services
  • Health services
  • Academic advising services (not program staff)
  • Mental health/counseling services
Employment
Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: 100%
Other career development activities are:
  • Internships
  • Volunteer work
  • Community Service
Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: 100%
Additional information about career development and work experience:

Students are placed in internships based on their interests and strengths beginning the second semester of freshman year. Internships are paid and are changed each semester to increase employment skills, develop new areas of interest, and reinforce generalization of skills.

Does this program have a working partnership with VR to provide funding, supports and/or services to students in the program? Yes
Housing
Housing is provided to students: Yes
Housing options available:
  • Inclusive on campus
Extracurricular
Students participate in student organizations on campus: Yes
Percentage of social time spent in inclusive activities (open to all students on campus): 100%
Students may participate in the following extra-curricular activities
  • Registered student organizations
  • Student government
  • Club sports
  • Campus events
  • Study abroad
  • Fraternities/sororities
Students participate in these campus-wide events:
  • College/University's Student orientation
  • College/University's Family orientation
  • College/University's Graduation