College Search

Eileen Hoffman Hafer UMatter Program

Eileen Hoffman Hafer UMatter Program
University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus
Eileen Hoffman Hafer UMatter Program
140 7th Ave S
HWH 234
ST PETERSBURG, FL 33701
icon name
icon name
Program Contact Jayme Joslyn
Program Contact Email jaymej@usf.edu
Phone 7278734451
Website Program website
Facebook link to program Facebook page

The Eileen Hoffman Hafer UMatter is an innovative inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) program created to provide young people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to experience higher education and campus life. With support from UMatter professional staff and mentors, students in the program navigate the transition from high school to college, acquire skills in socialization and independent living, and experience professional training through internships. The program aims to help students increase their skills in the five program components based on their individualized goals and tailored program of study: Academic Access and Enrichment, Career Development and Employment, Campus and Community Engagement, Self-Determination, and Independent Living. Students in UMatter express a strong desire to continue their education in an inclusive postsecondary setting, explore careers and engage in work-based learning opportunities, and live independently. Students who successfully complete the program will be in a position to obtain competitive employment aligned with their selected program of study. 

Program information submitted: January 30, 2023

General
Public or private: Public
Type of school: 4-year college or university
Is this program a federally funded TPSID program? No
Students in this program: Have graduated or exited from high school
Number of students: 12
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: October to January
Criteria for admission
  • Student must be 18 or older
  • A documented intellectual disability that impacts progression in a standard curriculum in pursuit of a postsecondary degree or certificate; Exited the K-12 system, either through graduating with a regular or special diploma, or high school equivalency; Is at least 18 years old; Has a desire to attend college courses and participate in a university campus experience, including a willingness to audit two (2) college courses during each semester (at minimum); Has employment and community participation as personal goals, with a commitment to becoming competitively employed during the program and upon exiting the program; Is capable of mobility on adult campuses, including transportation to and from campus, or be willing to receive travel training to navigate to the campus daily during weekdays; Displays a level of social maturity conducive to an adult environment (i.e. employment and educational settings); Has the ability to maintain self-care and personal hygiene independently; Has a support system committed to a collaborative partnership, such as the parental/guardian/family support of the student’s participation in the program (including commitment to competitive employment during and after program); Has a reliable means of communication, including willingness to acquire required technology to participate in program (smart phone with texting and navigation capability); Willingness to follow program and university’s code of conduct; Clear discipline/incident record (as applicable from high school or previous employment or other community setting); Strong attendance record (as applicable from previous high school, employment or community setting); Willingness to work with an academic mentor/tutor and peer mentor(s); and Willingness to participate in service/volunteer opportunities in the community as part of the college experience

Accepts out-of-state students? Yes
Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have:
  • Intellectual disability
Program length: 2 years
Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates
Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term: 33.00%
Cost
Average student tuition and fees for the current school year: $19250.00
Average out-of-state tuition, current year: $19250.00
Room and board: $10519.00
Program fees: $500.00
Additional costs: $0.00

Meal plan, transportation, application fees

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:

Once students are accepted into the UMatter, they can qualify for scholarship funds up to $15,000.

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 attend for two (2) years, which includes five (16 week) semesters beginning with the Fall (August) semester. This includes year one fall, spring, and summer sessions and year two fall and spring semesters. During each semester students audit 1-2 college courses that align with their career goals.

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

Students in the UMatter program participate in Topical Workshop each semester. This is where specific skills such as budgeting, job skills, setting boundaries, and living in a dorm.

Percentage of academic time spent in inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): 50-74%
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: Noncredit certificate of completion issued by USF’s Division of Innovative Education and Career Readiness
Is the credential approved by the college/university? Awarded by program, not officially recognized by the IHE
Other than the credential listed above, can students earn any other credentials that are available to all students?

Customer service, First Aid, CPR

Students in the program have access to the following campus-wide services:
  • Career services
  • Disability/accessibility services
  • Academic tutoring services
  • Health services
Employment
Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: 67%
Other career development activities are:
  • Internships
  • Volunteer work
  • Community Service
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): 75-99%
Students may participate in the following extra-curricular activities
  • Registered student organizations
  • Student government
  • Club sports
  • Campus events
  • Fraternities/sororities
Students participate in these campus-wide events:
  • College/University's Student orientation
  • College/University's Family orientation