1201 S. State Street
Big Rapids, MI 49307
| Program Contact | Emily Perton |
| emily.perton@rflnetwork.org | |
| Phone | (616)248-3775 |
| Website | Program website |
Through a partnership with Ferris State University, Ready For Life Academy(RFLA) has a local presence on their campus in Big Rapids, Michigan. This provides post-secondary educational experiences for college-aged individuals diagnosed with intellectual disabilities.
Each student begins the program by building a student-centered learning plan to develop realistic learning objectives, and identify areas of natural talent to be further developed. Based on the student’s interests and abilities the College or University offers non-credit earning classes which are intentionally selected for the RFLA students to attend. The curriculum used at RFLA focuses on transition skills to help students gain independence and job skills.
RFLA provides support systems to ensure each student is provided the resources they need to succeed in a college environment. Each of our instructors at RFLA is engaged to assist each student in daily personal planning, and partners with Ferris State University professors to adapt the academic materials from the college courses each student is taking. College students also volunteer as academic and social mentors to RFLA students as an additional support.
RFLA students are also supported to attend engage in campus life through access to all campus activities and clubs.
Program information submitted: March 30, 2022
| 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: |
|
| Number of students: | 6 |
| Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Program serves students who have left high school? | Yes, all of our students have left high school |
| Regular H.S. diploma required? | No, an IEP/non-standard diploma/certificate of attendance is accepted |
| Deadline to apply to this program: | December 15 |
| 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: |
|
| Program length | 3 years |
| Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates | |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term | 100.00% |
| Notes on acceptance and attendance: | first year of the program, no retention data at this time. |
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Average student tuition and fees for the current school year | $17000.00 |
| Annual room and board: | $10000.00 |
| Is this program able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP)? | No |
| Students pay for the program in the following ways: |
|
| Scholarships available: | Ready For Life has a tuition assistance fund that all admitted students are able to apply for. |
| Academic | |
|---|---|
| Students enrolled in this program take the following types of inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities) |
|
| More about course access: | Students are able to enroll in classes for audit or credit depending on their registration status. They choose from 100 and 200 level courses and take a minimum of 6 credits/semester. |
| Did ALL students in your program enroll in at least one inclusive college/university course either for credit or audit? | Yes |
| Students take courses that are only for students in this program: | Yes |
| Are students in this program able to access support services through your IHE disability services office? | Yes |
| Students take STEM-related courses? | Yes |
| Information on special classes: | Each semester students take 4 credits of Ready For Life specific course work in the areas of independent living, employment, personal finance or relationships. |
| Percentage of academic time spent in inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities) | 50-74% |
| Students in the program have access to the following campus-wide services: |
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| Other than the credential listed above, can students earn any other credentials that are available to all students? | students can earn certificates from various Ferris State University Certificate programs: https://www.ferris.edu/catalog/current/programs/program-level.htm |
| Do students earn STEM-related certificates? | No |
| Students participate in these campus-wide events |
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| Employment | |
|---|---|
| Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: | 100% |
| Other career development activities are: |
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| Additional information about career development and work experience | All students are employed in student jobs 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 | |
|---|---|
| Housing is provided to students: | Yes |
| Housing options available: |
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| Extracurricular | |
|---|---|
| Students participate in student organizations on campus: | Yes |
| Students may participate in the following extra-curricular activities |
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