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MSU LIFE Scholars

MSU LIFE Scholars
Montana State University
MSU LIFE Scholars
Montana State University, 455 Reid Hall
Po Box 173370
Bozeman, MT 59717
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Program Contact Christy Sofianek
Program Contact Email christy.sofianek@montana.edu
Phone 406-994-3688
Website Program website

LIFE Scholars is a 3-year, fully inclusive, non-degree certificate program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our goal is for students to gain knowledge in their chosen career path, develop authentic relationships, explore careers and gain work experience through part-time work and internships, and obtain meaningful, competitive employment upon graduation. We promote lifelong learning, independence, self-determination, social engagement, and career development.

Program information submitted: January 11, 2023

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: 20
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: March 1, 2023
Criteria for admission
  • Student must be 18 or older
  • Have completed all of their high school requirements. Identify as an individual with an intellectual /developmental disability. Be able to follow the MSU Student Code of Conduct. Be able to independently care for their personal hygiene. Have a strong desire to attend college!

Accepts out-of-state students? Yes
Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have:
  • Intellectual disability
  • Autism
Planned program length 3 years
Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates
Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term: 70.00%
Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one: 93.00%
Notes on acceptance and attendance:

We can accept up to 7 students each year.

Cost
Average student tuition and fees for the current school year: $2500.00
Average out-of-state tuition, current year: $8800.00
Room and board: $5500.00
Program fees: $1000.00
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:

We have private scholarships available for program fees and food insecurity scholarships. If a student cannot afford tuition and does not qualify for financial aid, we will provide tuition scholarships.

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 can access all courses in the university catalog but must meet pre-requisite requirements. Students most often enroll in 100 and 200-level courses, but not exclusively.

Percentage of academic time spent in inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): 100%
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: MSU LIFE Scholars Certificate
Is the credential approved by the college/university? Yes, this credential has been through a formal approval process at the IHE
Other than the credential listed above, can students earn any other credentials that are available to all students?

They can earn other certificates, but no one has done so, yet.

Students in the program have access to the following campus-wide services:
  • Career services
  • Disability/accessibility services
  • Academic tutoring services
  • Health services
  • Access to a transcript via the registrar
  • Academic advising services (not program staff)
Employment
Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: 60%
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:

Our program utilizes the Project SEARCH model. In the 3rd year, students participate in two separate internships to gain work experience in their chosen career path.

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
  • Club sports
  • Campus events
  • Fraternities/sororities
Students participate in these campus-wide events:
  • College/University's Student orientation
  • College/University's Family orientation
  • College/University's Graduation