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University Participant (UP) Program

University Participant (UP) Program
Western Carolina University
University Participant (UP) Program
1 University Drive
Killian 120
Cullowhee, NC 28723
icon name
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Program Contact Kelly Kelley
Program Contact Email wcuupprogram@gmail.com
Phone 828-227-3297
Website Program website
Facebook link to program Facebook page

The WCU UP Program provides an inclusive, two-year, on-campus living and learning experience for college-aged persons with intellectual disability. The goal of the program is to facilitate UP students' transition from secondary school to adult life with education, employment, and independent living. The UP program currently can enroll up to 12 students at a time.

UP students live in on-campus dormitories distributed throughout university residence halls under the same university policies that apply to all WCU students. On-campus life is fully integrated and inclusive. There are no separate facilities, settings, or classes for UP students.

WCU undergraduate students are recruited to provide paid and unpaid support to facilitate UP Students living on campus, attending classes, engaging in social and recreational activities, becoming involved in student organizations, and developing friendships.

The UP Program started as a pilot program in 2007 then was partially funded as one of the Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) through the Office of Postsecondary Education and continues to serve as a model demonstration program for North Carolina. The WCU UP Program is also the first accredited inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) program in the country by the Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council as of May 2023.

Program information submitted: January 12, 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: 11
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 1
Criteria for admission
  • Age range: 18-25
Accepts out-of-state students? Yes
Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have:
  • Intellectual disability
  • Autism
Planned program length
  • 2 years
Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates
Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term: 18.00%
Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one: 100.00%
Cost
Average student tuition and fees for the current school year: $2404.00
Average out-of-state tuition, current year: $4352.00
Room and board: $3868.00
Program fees: $5000.00
Additional costs: $5,000.00
Meal Plans are typically $2,247 per semester.
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
  • Adult intellectual/developmental disability state agency funds
  • Federal Financial Aid
  • Medicaid Waiver or Day Habilitation funds
Scholarships available: We have the NC Promise for all WCU students which lowers tuition costs for ALL in and out of state students. See https://www.wcu.edu/apply/undergraduate-admissions/costs-and-aid/ncpromi.... We also have a UNC System Scholarship opportunity in our state for students that qualify based on estimated cost of attendance and federal estimated cost calculations.
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
  • Typical Continuing Education courses
More about course access: UP students have access and take their courses based on the university course catalog and their future career goals/interests.
Students take courses that are only for students in this program:
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: UP Certificate of Accomplishment
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? Degree Plus, Certificate courses through Ed2Go
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
  • Academic advising services (not program staff)
Employment
Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: 100%
Other career development activities are:
  • Internships
  • Volunteer work
  • Community Service
  • Work Study
Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: 100%
Additional information about career development and work experience: Pathful Explore lessons, modules, and assessments
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