College Support for Students with IEPs: From High School to Independence

Kate-Jen Barker-Schlegel
Oct 6
3 min read

Understanding College Support for Students with IEPs

If your teen has an IEP (Individualized Education Program), you’ve likely spent years ensuring they have the support they need to succeed in high school. But as college approaches, understanding college support for students with IEPs becomes critical. Unlike high school, colleges don’t automatically provide individualized plans. Students must register for accommodations, learn to self-advocate, and find learning support programs that help them thrive academically and independently.

Father helping his daughter with homework.

High School IEP vs. College Accommodations for Learning Disabilities

In high school, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees structured supports and proactive interventions through an IEP. Schools are legally required to identify students with learning differences and create individualized strategies for success.

In college, IDEA no longer applies. Students are instead protected under:

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

These laws focus on equal access, not guaranteed outcomes. Colleges provide reasonable accommodations but do not modify course content. Understanding this shift is essential for parents navigating the IEP to college transition.

How to Access College Support for Students with IEPs

In college, your teen must self-identify and request accommodations. The process typically involves:

Registering with the college’s Disability Services Office (Accessibility Services or Learning Support).
Submitting documentation, including recent IEPs, 504 plans, or psychoeducational evaluations.
Requesting accommodations, such as extra test time, assistive technology, note-taking support, or priority registration.

Without this process, students may not receive the support they need, making self-advocacy skills essential for college success.

Independence in College for Students with Learning Differences

College professors are not automatically informed about a student’s learning differences. Students receive an accommodation letter and must take responsibility for sharing it with professors.

Encourage your teen to:

Introduce themselves to professors early in the semester
Discuss the accommodations that help them succeed

Use campus resources such as tutoring centers, writing labs, or academic coaching proactively

This independence is a critical part of college success and aligns with the focus of many learning support programs.

Building Self-Advocacy Skills Before College

Preparation starts in high school. You can help your teen build self-advocacy skills by:

Letting them lead IEP meetings or explain what supports are most effective
Encouraging them to communicate directly with teachers
Reviewing their IEP to identify strategies that work best
Gradually shifting responsibility for organization and time management to the student

Colleges notice students who demonstrate resilience, independence, and problem-solving skills, all developed through self-advocacy.

Disclosing a Learning Difference in College Applications

Disclosing a learning difference is optional. Some students include it in essays to highlight growth, persistence, and resilience, while others keep it private. The choice does not affect admission decisions, and documentation is not shared — only what the student writes themselves.

Colleges with Strong Learning Support Programs for Students with IEPs

Some colleges go beyond basic accommodations and offer structured programs similar to the University of Arizona’s SALT Center, providing academic coaching, skill-building, and mentoring for students with IEPs or learning differences.

College	Program Name	Highlights
University of Arizona (AZ)	SALT Center	Personalized academic coaching, skill-building, and tutoring (fee-based).
University of Denver (CO)	Learning Effectiveness Program (LEP)	One-on-one academic counseling, tutoring, and executive functioning support.
Curry College (MA)	Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL)	Personalized learning strategy instruction and coaching.
Lynn University (FL)	Institute for Achievement and Learning (IAL)	Assistive technology, individualized academic plans, and skill-building instruction.
Beacon College (FL)	Comprehensive College for Students with Learning Differences	Fully accredited, designed exclusively for students with ADHD, dyslexia, or other learning differences.
University of Connecticut (CT)	Beyond Access Program	Academic and social support, coaching, and workshops for students with learning differences.
Marist College (NY)	Learning Disabilities Support Program	Academic coaching, peer tutoring, and independent learning support.
Landmark College (VT)	Specialized College for Learning Differences	Entirely designed for neurodiverse students, providing small classes and multi-modal instruction.

When evaluating schools, consider:

Fee vs. included tuition for programs
Staff-to-student ratio in learning support programs
Types of support: academic only vs. academic + social/emotional
Opportunities for self-advocacy and mentoring

Choosing the Right College Fit for Students with IEPs

The right college should provide academic access, skill-building, and mentorship while empowering your teen to succeed independently. Structured learning support programs can make a huge difference in both academic performance and confidence.

The Bottom Line: Preparing for the IEP to College Transition

Transitioning from an IEP in high school to college support requires planning and preparation. By understanding the process, building self-advocacy skills, and exploring colleges with strong learning support programs, your teen can thrive academically and personally.

If you need guidance identifying colleges with the best support for students with IEPs or coaching your teen in self-advocacy, our team can help you navigate every step of the college admissions journey.