Given the positive outcomes of postsecondary education (PSE) that are possible for individuals with ID, more states should consider allowing Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver participants the option to use waiver support to participate in PSE. Using HCBS waivers could greatly improve their likelihood of employment, as well as opportunities to experience greater community inclusion, personal satisfaction, and decreased reliance on publicly provided support services. Students in at least nine states have already used HCBS waivers as a funding source for service and supports while in college.

This publication explains how the HCBS waiver can be used for PSE and outlines the benefits. There is another publication by these same authors, Use of Medicaid Waivers to Support Students with Intellectual Disability in College, which can be used along with this publication to advocate for using HCBS waivers for PSE when speaking with PSE staff and faculty and state agencies.