VAST Academy
Houston Community College
VAST Academy
1301 Alabama, 101b
Houston, TX 77004
1301 Alabama, 101b
Houston, TX 77004
Note: This program is able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP).
| Program Contact | Sue Moraska |
| Program Contact Email | sue.moraska@hccs.edu |
| Phone | 713-718-6833 |
| Website | Program website |
| link to program Facebook page |
VAST Academy provides post-secondary transition programs and comprehensive support services, which lead to meaningful credentials, employment and independence for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Opportunities include vocational certificates, pre-college and freshman success bridge courses, career readiness credentials and employment assistance offered through an inclusive, relevant and affordable avenue.
Program information submitted: January 19, 2023
| General | |
|---|---|
| Public or private: | Public |
| Type of school: | 2-year community college or junior college |
| Is this program a federally funded TPSID program? | No |
| Students in this program: | Have graduated or exited from high school |
| Number of students: | 112 |
| Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Program serves students who have left high school? | Yes, all of our students have left high school |
| Regular high school diploma required? | Yes, a regular high school diploma or GED is required |
| Deadline to apply to this program: | 1-2 months prior to each term |
| 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: |
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| Program length: | 2 years |
| Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates | |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term: | 95.00% |
| Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one: | 98.00% |
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Average student tuition and fees for the current school year: | $2072.00 |
| Additional costs: |
$0.00 $134.22 Inclusive Access Course Materials fee each term to give full access to all their courseware and ebooks for all their courses. |
| 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: |
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| Scholarships available: | Our college foundation has various scholarships that students can apply for. One in particular is the Assistance League of Houston which provides scholarships for VAST Academy students. |
| Academic | |
|---|---|
| Students enrolled in this program take the following types of inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): |
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| More about course access: | Some students enroll in college credit, developmental or continuing ed. classes while in our VAST Academy depending on their career goal pathway and college readiness ability. Most enroll after they finish our continuing education Occupational Skills Certificate, however, some start taking full inclusive classes in their career area of interest concurrently while enrolled in our VAST classes. |
| Students take courses that are only for students in this program: | Yes |
| Information on special classes: | The required core courses to complete the two year CTP-Occupational Skills Career and College Readiness Certificate is offerred to students in our VAST Academy Learning Community Cohort. Students have the option to take additional full inclusive courses concurrently, if they choose and when they feel college ready. |
| Percentage of academic time spent in inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): | 1-24% |
| Do all students in this program enroll in at least one inclusive college/university course for credit or audit each semester? | No |
| Credential(s) students earn upon completing the program: | Occupational Skills-Career Readiness (Continuing Education) |
| 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? | Any Workforce or Continuing Ed. Certifcate that students are able to take based on their interests. However, most enroll in their Career Specific program after completing our Occuational Skills Career Readiness Credential. |
| 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: | 35% |
| Other career development activities are: |
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| Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: | 50% |
| Additional information about career development and work experience: | College Work Study employment is available via FInancial Aid on or off campus. Career Services and VAST Academy has a Director of Employment who provides employment services assistance. |
| 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: | No |
| 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 |
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| Students participate in these campus-wide events: |
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