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Eileen Hoffman Hafer UMatter Program

Eileen Hoffman Hafer UMatter Program
University of South Florida St. Petersburg Campus
Eileen Hoffman Hafer UMatter Program
140 7th Ave S
HWH 234
ST PETERSBURG, FL 33701
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Program Contact Jayme Joslyn
Program Contact Email jaymej@usf.edu
Phone 727-873-4451
Website Program website
Facebook link to program Facebook page

The Eileen Hoffman Hafer UMatter is an innovative inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) program created to provide young people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to experience higher education and campus life. With support from UMatter professional staff and mentors, students in the program navigate the transition from high school to college, acquire skills in socialization and independent living, and experience professional training through internships. Scholarship funds of up to $15,000 are available to eligible students to cover tuition, housing, fees and other expenses.

The program aims to help students increase their skills in the five program components based on their individualized goals and tailored program of study: Academic Access and Enrichment; Career Development and Employment; Campus and Community Engagement; Self-Determination; and Independent Living.

Students experience campus life through various activities, including: auditing college courses; joining and participating in student organizations; completing internships; applying for jobs and obtaining competitive employment; and becoming responsible members of their communities.
Students in the UMatter program express a strong desire to continue their education in an inclusive postsecondary setting, explore careers and engage in work-based learning opportunities, and live independently.

Program information submitted: January 10, 2024

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: 16
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
Criteria for admission
  • Student must be 18 or older
Accepts out-of-state students? Yes
Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have:
  • Intellectual disability
Planned program length 2 years
Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates
Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term: 32.00%
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: $5750.00
Average out-of-state tuition, current year: $5750.00
Room and board: $18500.00
Additional costs: $0.00
Application fees, Tech fees, Books
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
  • Grant Funding
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 attend the UMatter Program for 2 years which equals 5 semesters. During this time, students audit a total of 9 typical college courses.
Students take courses that are only for students in this program: Yes
Information on special classes: Students participate in a Topical Workshop once a week that works on specific independent living and career skills.
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: Eileen Hoffman Hafer Career Readiness Certificate
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
  • Disability/accessibility services
  • Academic tutoring services
  • Health services
  • Mental health/counseling services
  • Access to a transcript via the registrar
Employment
Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: 73%
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: Students engage in 3 internships while attending the UMatter Program. In addition, students participate in many volunteer experieices throughout the community and collegfe.
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): 100%
Students may participate in the following extra-curricular activities
  • Registered student organizations
  • Student government
  • Club sports
  • Campus events
  • Study abroad
  • Fraternities/sororities
Students participate in these campus-wide events:
  • College/University's Student orientation
  • College/University's Family orientation
  • College/University's Graduation