230 Appleton Place
PMB 552
Nashville, TN 37203-5721
| Program Contact | Tammy Day |
| tammy.l.day@vanderbilt.edu | |
| Phone | 615.343.0822 |
| Website | http://vu.edu/nextsteps |
Next Steps at Vanderbilt is a 4-year inclusive higher education program committed to providing students with intellectual disabilities inclusive, transformational postsecondary education in academics, social and career development, and independent living, while honoring equality, compassion, and excellence in all endeavors. Next Steps is currently working to expand its program to include on-campus residential options for students.
| General | |
|---|---|
| Public or private: | Private |
| Type of school: | 4-year college or university |
| Is this program a federally funded TPSID program? | Yes |
| Students in this program: | Have graduated or exited from high school |
| Number of students: | 15 |
| Description of our summer transition program: | The Next Steps Summer Institute has been providing students with a week-long college, residential program since 2011. https://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/departments/nextsteps/programoverview/nssi.php |
| Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Deadline to apply to this program: | Rolling admissions |
| Link to admissions process: | Admissions link |
| Requirements for admission to this program: |
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| Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have: |
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| Program length: | 4 years |
| Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates | |
|---|---|
| Percent of students applying who are admitted: | 32% |
| Retention rate: | 100% |
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Tuition amount: | $16,324.00 |
| Program specific fees: | $0.00 |
| 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: |
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| Scholarships available: |
Tennessee Vocational Rehabilitation Department Vocational Rehabilitation Services recognizes the valuable job readiness training and experiences that Next Steps provides. VR can award $2,400 per semester in Transitional Learning Services funds for 2 academic years. All Next Steps students are required to apply for Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Assistance in becoming a vocational rehabilitation client can be found here. All of the above are described on our website here: https://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/departments/nextsteps/admissions/costtuit... Federal Financial Aid Next Steps at Vanderbilt is a federally approved Comprehensive Transition Program. This status enables eligible students to apply for Federal Financial Aid. The Federal Student Aid website has added a page explaining financial aid for students with ID;following this link provides further assistance. Tennessee STEP UP ScholarshipEligible students may also qualify for the Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship. The STEP UP Scholarship will award $3,500 per year for up to four years, and is available to Tennessee residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have received a diploma or certificate from a Tennessee high school within 16 months of enrolling in qualified postsecondary programs. For more information, click here. Vanderbilt University Faculty and Staff Dependent Tuition AssistanceVanderbilt University faculty and staff may also be eligible for the Dependent Tuition Assistance benefit. This benefit may also be applied to a dependent’s tuition at other Comprehensive Transition Programs (CTP) throughout the country. For a list of these CTP’s click here. VANDY Plan Tennessee Student Assistance Award Students may be eligible to receive the TSAA grant provided they meet the deadline of submitting a FAFSA no later than March 1 and receive a processed Student Aid Report with a valid EFC (Expected Family Contribution) of 2100 or less. They must be a Tennessee resident. It is preferred that the student apply as early as possible as funds are limited for this grant and awarded on a first come, first serve basis. These students must: |
| Links to scholarship information: |
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| Academic | |
|---|---|
| Students take these types of "typical" 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: |
Freshman and sophomores take three one hour per week courses in the areas of independent living, career technology, and self-awareness. As juniors and seniors they will select topics for independent studies where they will determine the goals and activities to practice selected skills. |
| Time spent only with other students in this program: | Less than 25% of the time |
| Credential(s) students earn upon completing the program: | Certificate of Completion |
| The credential(s) is/are: |
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| Employment | |
|---|---|
| Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: | 12% |
| Other career development activities are: |
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| Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: | 100% |
| Housing | |
|---|---|
| Housing is provided to students: | No |
| Extracurricular | |
|---|---|
| Students participate in student organizations on campus: | Yes |
| Proportion of time spent only with other students in this program: | Less than 25% |
| Students have participated in these social/extracurricular activities and organizations: |
Students in the Next Steps program have access to participate in any extracurricular or student organization on Vanderbilt’s campus. Some examples of campus involvement are Commons VU orientation and Visions groups (offered to all first-year students), Best Buddies, service groups, and intramurals. Having access to over 600 student organizations enables our students to meet other Vanderbilt students with similar interests and gain a well-rounded experience. |