1201 S. State Street
Big Rapids, MI 49307
| Program Contact | Toni Falk |
| Program Contact Email | info@rflnetwork.org |
| Phone | 616.330.8667 |
| Website | Program website |
Through a partnership at Ferris State University, Ready For Life Academy (RFLA) has a local presence on 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 may offers credit or 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 peer partners as additional support. RFLA students are provided the opportunity to participate in campus activities and attend sporting events free of charge, with a level of support system.
Program information submitted: January 24, 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: |
|
| 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: | 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: | 90.00% |
| Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one: | 83.00% |
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Average student tuition and fees for the current school year: | $19000.00 |
| Average out-of-state tuition, current year: | $0.00 |
| Room and board: | $10000.00 |
| Program fees: | $0.00 |
| 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: |
We have a tuition assistance fund that students can apply for. We also have $1,000/year scholarship in memory of a past student. |
| 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 take 6-8 audit credits/semester and 10 Ready For Life credits/semester. |
| Students take courses that are only for students in this program: | Yes |
| Information on special classes: |
Students take 10 credits of Ready For Life classes/semester including a job internship, as well as classes in one or two of the following core areas: relationships, employment, independent living, and budgeting. |
| Percentage of academic time spent in inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): | 25-49% |
| 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: | certificate from Ready For Life and a transcript from Ferris State University. |
| Is the credential approved by the college/university? | Awarded by program, not officially recognized by the IHE |
| Students in the program have access to the following campus-wide services: |
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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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| Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: | 0% |
| Additional information about career development and work experience: |
Each semester students have a job internship. |
| 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: |
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| Extracurricular | |
|---|---|
| Students participate in student organizations on campus: | Yes |
| Percentage of social time spent in inclusive activities (open to all students on campus): | 100% |
| Students may participate in the following extra-curricular activities |
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| Students participate in these campus-wide events: |
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