1200 Old Trenton Road
West Windsor, NJ 8550
Program Contact | Susan Onaitis |
Program Contact Email | CAR@mccc.edu |
Phone | 609-570-3375 |
Website | Program website |
link to program Facebook page |
DREAM PROGRAM
Mercer County Community College's (MCCC) DREAM Program provides transition and postsecondary program opportunities for students who, due to limitations in both intellectual and adaptive behaviors, require additional supports to navigate the postsecondary environment. Upon successful application and acceptance to the program, identified students, ages 18-24, have the opportunity to reach individual goals in an inclusive and supportive college setting.
During the four semesters in the DREAM Program, all students are required to participate in courses that are uniquely designed for students in the DREAM Program, STU 090 and STU 023, as well as Mercer County Community College (MCCC) general, inclusive course offerings. Through the STU classes, MCCC provides DREAM students with the supports necessary for them to participate in inclusive classes.
Students work closely with program staff each semester to identify and evaluate goals and build schedules. Students register for college courses based on placement and may be permitted to audit classes in areas of interest. All students develop a MCCC transcript and have the opportunity to earn credits towards a MCCC certificate or degree.
Students are encouraged to participate in both curricular and co-curricular activities while at MCCC. Students who choose to continue taking classes beyond four semesters, either seeking a credential or as engaged lifelong learners, have the option to continue to access modified ancillary support services. This decision is made in consultation with DREAM staff.
SUPPORT
The DREAM Program offers multiple supports to enhance opportunities for student growth.
· Experiences uniquely designed for DREAM students:
§ STU 090 / Transition to College* is a class for new students in Semesters I and II and focuses on the development of college-related skills.
* In Semesters III and IV, STU 090 is an individualized, asynchronous learning experience which focuses on building academic skills.
§ STU 023 / Career Exploration, for both new and continuing students.
§ Full participation in all college activities.
· DREAM student orientation in mid-August offers new students the opportunity to engage socially with peers, mentors and staff and build community as they begin to assume the roles and responsibilities of college students.
· Mentors provide academic support to students.
· The DREAM Program staff, including three Education Specialists and a Manager, provide support to DREAM students through academic advisement, referral to college resources, and encouragement of the development of self-advocacy skills.
· The Center for Accessibility Resources (CAR) staff at MCCC offers advocacy, support with accommodations and other services to help students get the most out of their college experience.
Program information submitted: February 15, 2024
General | |
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Public or private: | Public |
Type of school: | 2-year community college or junior college |
Is this program a federally funded TPSID program? | No |
Number of students: | 66 |
Requirements | |
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Program serves students who have left high school? | Some of our students have left high school |
Regular high school diploma required? | Yes, a regular high school diploma or GED is required |
Deadline to apply to this program: | We begin accepting applications for the fall semester on Feb.1 of the same calendar year. |
Link to admissions process: | Admissions link |
Criteria for admission |
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Accepts out-of-state students? | Yes |
Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have: |
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Planned program length | Varies from student to student |
Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates | |
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Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term: | 95.00% |
Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one: | 82.00% |
Notes on acceptance and attendance: | We admitted 18 students in Fall 2022. One student relocated and a second was unable to arrange transportation for Year 2. |
Cost | |
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Average student tuition and fees for the current school year: | $2000.00 |
Program fees: | $2022.00 |
Is this program able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP)? | We are not a CTP, and have no plans to become one. |
Students pay for the program in the following ways: |
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Scholarships available: | Continuing students have the opportunity to apply for DREAM Program scholarship.. Eligible students are third semester and beyond students who have unmet financial need, as determined by FAFSA application. |
Academic | |
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Students enrolled in this program take the following types of inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): |
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More about course access: | All second semester students and beyond are eligible to participate in up to two inclusive college courses/semester for credit or audit. Currently all students are registered for courses for credit . Students participate in college courses with the support of peer mentors, who provide in-class and after class academic support. Students may also participate in our college-wide tutoring services. |
Students take courses that are only for students in this program: | Yes |
Information on special classes: | All new, first-semester students participate in a Transition to College class and Introduction to Career Exploration class, which are designed for students in the DREAM Program. All continuing students participate in Career Exploration, which focus on development of soft skills ( executive functioning, social responsibility, and the path to self-mentorship) and an individualized Student Success experience which focuses on development of skills related to their specific academic classes. |
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 |
Other than the credential listed above, can students earn any other credentials that are available to all students? | All participants have the opportunity to earn credits to apply to an MCCC certificate or Associate's degree |
Students in the program have access to the following campus-wide services: |
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Employment | |
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Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: | 35% |
Other career development activities are: |
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Additional information about career development and work experience: | Students receive support in applying for jobs and preparing for job interviews. Students participate in job shadowing/volunteer experiences on campus. |
Does this program have a working partnership with VR to provide funding, supports and/or services to students in the program? | No |
Housing | |
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Housing is provided to students: | No |
Extracurricular | |
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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 |
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Students participate in these campus-wide events: |
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