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EMPOWER

EMPOWER
University of Arkansas
EMPOWER
410 Arkansas Ave.
Fayetteville, AR 72701
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Program Contact Ashley Bradley
Program Contact Email arbradle@uark.edu
Phone 870-243-2086
Website Program website
Facebook link to program Facebook page

EMPOWER is a four-year non-degree Inclusive Postsecondary Education Program at the University of Arkansas. Its purpose is to (1) provide a college experience for students; (2) improve students' independent living skills; and prepare students for competitive employment opportunities. The program provides residential supports for students choosing to live on-campus. The program is an approved comprehensive transition program enabling students to be eligible to receive federal financial assistance.

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: 24
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: January 15th
Criteria for admission
  • Student must be 18 or older
  • Age range: 18-24
Accepts out-of-state students? Yes
Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have:
  • Intellectual disability
  • Autism
Program length: 4 years
Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates
Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term: 90.00%
Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one: 90.00%
Cost
Average student tuition and fees for the current school year: $10000.00
Average out-of-state tuition, current year: $10000.00
Room and board: $10000.00
Program fees: $10000.00
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:

EMPOWER issued scholarships through donations and foundation assistance, Ruby's Rainbow, Autism Scholarships, etc.

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

Money Management, Healthy Relationships, Intro to Campus and Community, Vocational Readiness, Job-Shadowing, Independent Living, Seminar, Study Hall, Self-Advocacy, and Social skills.

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: EMPOWER certificate, some specific tracks offered
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
  • Health 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
  • Work Study
Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: 100%
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
Students participate in these campus-wide events:
  • College/University's Student orientation
  • College/University's Family orientation
  • College/University's Graduation