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UW-Whitewater LIFE Program

UW-Whitewater LIFE Program
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
UW-Whitewater LIFE Program
800 W Main Street
Whitewater, WI 53190
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Program Contact Sara Athorp
Program Contact Email lifeprogram@uww.edu
Phone 920-475-1905
Website Program website
Facebook link to program Facebook page

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater LIFE (Learning is for Everyone) Program provides a complete college experience for young adults between the ages of 18-25 who have an intellectual disability. With ample supports, specialized instruction, on-campus residential living, and community integration, the program serves a critical need by providing access and opportunity for students who have historically been underrepresented in higher education. The program has two components, which includes a Basic Program (2 years) and an Advanced Program (2 years) that are designed to facilitate personal growth, independent living, and employment success.

Program information submitted: January 23, 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: 15
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 31st
Criteria for admission
  • Age range: 18-25
Accepts out-of-state students? Yes
Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have:
  • Intellectual disability
Planned program length Varies from student to student
Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates
Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term: 29.00%
Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one: 80.00%
Cost
Average student tuition and fees for the current school year: $700.00
Average out-of-state tuition, current year: $1500.00
Room and board: $7660.00
Program fees: $24000.00
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:
  • Private pay (student and family)
  • Scholarships
  • Adult intellectual/developmental disability state agency funds
  • Federal Financial Aid
Academic
Students enrolled in this program take the following types of inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities):
  • Typical college courses for credit
  • Typical college courses for audit
More about course access: UW-W LIFE students have access to university courses that are in areas of interest. We work with the students to identify courses that are appropriate for them, meet their long-term goals, and will be accessible with the available accommodations. If it is a course that is of interest that would not be accessible to accommodations alone, UW-W LIFE students can audit the course so that our staff can provide modifications as needed.
Students take courses that are only for students in this program: Yes
Information on special classes: We teach daily living skills, functional academics, employment skills, self-advocacy skills, and safety skills in the LIFE classroom using direct instruction with licensed special education teachers.
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 of Completion
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:
  • Disability/accessibility services
  • Health services
  • Mental health/counseling services
Employment
Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: 33%
Other career development activities are:
  • Volunteer work
  • Community Service
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
  • Inclusive off campus
Extracurricular
Students participate in student organizations on campus: Yes
Percentage of social time spent in inclusive activities (open to all students on campus): 75-99%
Students may participate in the following extra-curricular activities
  • Registered student organizations
  • Club sports
  • Campus events
Students participate in these campus-wide events:
  • College/University's Student orientation
  • College/University's Graduation