Special Student Populations

If you are interested in competing in college athletics, utilize all of the resources available at HPHS. Your counselor, postsecondary counselors and coaches can provide guidance. Your search for the right college or university should focus on your educational needs as well as athletic opportunities.

The following questions can help you approach the college selection process realistically:

• Are you at the level needed to compete in college athletics?
• How do you know? Have you received feedback from coaches or recruiters?
• Do you expect to be recruited by college programs?
• Is receiving an athletic scholarship essential to your college plans?
• At what level do you hope to compete (NCAA Division I, II or III, NAIA or another association)?
• How important is the opportunity to continue playing your sport when choosing a college or university?

Students applying to fine arts programs often face a dual process at application time: one for general admission to the college or university and another for admission to their program or major. 

These additional requirements mean that students and families need to stay organized throughout the application process. Certain programs may include auditions, portfolio submissions or additional teacher recommendations. This may also involve utilizing the summer before senior year to prepare for the "talent" portion of the application process.

We strongly encourage students to use a spreadsheet or other organizational tool to track each school's requirements, deadlines and application timeline.

Students with an LD or another type of difference that requires accommodations at the collegiate level will mostly go through the same application process as any other student and will simply apply for their accommodations after being admitted to the school. The exception to this rule would be when someone is applying to a Learning Disabilities "Program" as defined below. It is important that students thoroughly evaluate their needs through discussions with their parents, counselor, and/or case manager, if applicable. This will help match you to the appropriate level of accommodations you may require.

Types of Support Services

Compliance Schools

Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act requires that educational institutions provide appropriate accommodations to students who need them. This means that if, according to their testing, a student qualifies for extended time, preferred seating, or other accommodations, the school must provide that accommodation, but may not provide much else. They are simply complying with the letter of the law to give a student what they need. All schools are, at a minimum, compliance schools, as they must comply with the law.

Others, however, go above and beyond the minimum required to support students with learning differences. Students who simply need their accommodations and minimal or really no other assistance can be very successful in this type of environment.

Support Services

Schools that offer strong support services programs provide accommodations, such as compliance schools, as well as additional supports for students who may need them. This could include access to learning specialists, tutoring, and courses designed to help students with time management, study skills and related areas. Note that these services are offered but not required. This type of school could be a good match for a student who needs a little extra academic support but is also a strong self-advocate and will seek out help when needed.

Programs

These are structured programs that offer the highest amount of support available at the college level. These are fee-based programs that offer professional tutoring and regular assistance from LD specialists and require students to take advantage of the program's offerings. This level of support may be appropriate for someone who needs weekly tutoring and advising sessions and will benefit from the program's mandatory components. They often require a separate application, charge a fee and are limited in the number of students they can accept. 

CHOICES

CHOICES is a postsecondary planning night for students with learning differences who wish to continue their education after high school. It is run in collaboration with a number of Chicago-area high schools each year. In addition to their annual college fair, they offer a website that is a great resource on the aforementioned options and what schools offer them, as well as presentations from many colleges and support programs across the country.

Requesting Documentation for Accommodations in College

Students Who Have a 504 Plan

1. Find out what office handles the granting of accommodations at the college or university you will attend. You will usually find this in some form of “Disability Services.”
2. Find out exactly what they require in the way of testing and documentation 
3. Submit a copy of the required testing and documentation to the college you will be attending. If you need a copy of these materials, contact the Counseling Department via the contact below to obtain a copy, which you can then send.

Sujey Gomez, Counseling Administrative Assistant
sgomez@dist113.org
224-765-2042

Students With an IEP

1. Research what office handles the granting of accommodations at the college or university you are interested in attending, you will usually find this under some form of “Disability Services”. If you are applying to a specific program for students with learning disabilities, you may need to send the documentation to that program along with a separate application required by the program.
2. Find out exactly what they require in the way of testing and documentation 
3. Submit a copy of the required testing and documentation to the college you will be attending. If you need a copy of these materials, contact the Special Education Department via the contact below to obtain a copy, which you can then send.
4. Parents or students (if 18) will need to sign a waiver of access for the release of the documentation. 

Ana Garcia
agarcia@dist113.org
224-632-3331

There is no federal law that prevents undocumented or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students from attending college, and a Social Security number is not required to apply.

In Illinois, many undocumented students who graduate from an Illinois high school may qualify for in-state tuition at Illinois public colleges and universities. The RISE Act also allows many eligible students to receive Illinois state financial aid, including the Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant. Visit the Illinois Student Assistance Commission website for eligibility requirements, application instructions and additional information.

If you believe a college requires you to complete the FAFSA in addition to the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid, please contact your postsecondary counselor.

Scholarships

Undocumented students may apply for many local and national scholarships available through Maia Learning. Look for those that do not require U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency. You can also apply for merit scholarships at most colleges. Below are several additional resources listing scholarships specifically for undocumented students.

• The Dream U.S.
• Scholarships Open to Undocumented Students List 1
• Scholarships Open to Undocumented Students List 2
• IACAC Resources

There are a number of colleges that offer Dreamer-specific scholarships and below are a few to consider:

• Loyola University (Chicago)-Arrupe College
• Elmhurst College (Elmhurst)
• The University of St. Francis
• Dominican University

Helpful Websites

• Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR)
• United We Dream
• My (un)Documented Life
• Information on the Consideration of DACA
• Resources for Undocumented Students from the College Board
• So Much Potential