New / Prospective Students

Students are admitted to the program for the fall semester. Applications for the 2020/21 academic year will be accepted and reviewed beginning November 1, 2019. Applicants are encouraged to tour the campus and participate in an open house prior to submitting an application. Applications will continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the academic year. Career Studies Program Staff will acknowledge receipt of the initial application. Upon receipt of a completed application (including application, letters of recommendation, most recent IEP and evaluation report), an interview will be scheduled. Admission to the program follows the interview.

Program Fees Fall 2019 and Spring 2020

Tuition and Fees Per Semester

Program fee:  $6,595.00
Includes:

  • Retail Industry Fundamentals and Life Transitions Coursework
  • Career Exploration, Job Observation, Practicum and Employment Specialist Support
  • Peer Mentor Support of 14 hours per week
  • Program Coordination
  • Supports Services Coordinator

Tuition and fees for enrollment in an academic course:  $1,936.00
Includes:        

  • Tuition per 3 credit academic course:  $1,776.00* (approximate)
  • Student Initiated Fee $74.00 (less than 5 credits)
  • Information Technology Fee - $86.00 (less than 5 credits)

*Tuition and Program Fees Per Semester = approximately $8,531.00
*Exact Fall 2019 and Spring 2020 tuition rates and fees are typically announced summer 2019.

Additional Fees:

Academic Course Required Textbook(s)

Students are responsible to purchase the required textbook for their academic courses. Textbook information is available in students LionPath account and from the campus bookstore. Text may be purchased through the campus bookstore.

Additional Support

One-to-one assistance or additional peer mentor support may be available for an additional cost. Please discuss additional support needs during the interview and mention the need in the application.

Additional Information

Fall 2019 Semester Dates: August 26 – December 20, 2019
Spring 2020 Semester Dates: January 13 – May 8, 2020
For prospective students seeking to enroll in the 2020/21 Academic Year, please address the following:

  • The Career Studies program is an approved Comprehensive Transition program (CTP). Students are required to complete and submit the FASFA in order to access waiver funds and/or other sources of financial assistance. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) serves as the single application for all types of student financial aid — federal, state, and Penn State programs. You may file the FAFSA online at FAFSA. Penn State's federal school code is 003329. The Penn State FASFA deadline is May 1 - at the latest. Early application is recommended. You must reapply for the FASFA every academic year you are in the program. There are three types of federal financial aid available to students with intellectual disabilities attending a CTP.
    • Federal Pell Grants. Unlike student loans, do not have to be repaid. Amounts can change yearly and are dependent upon student financial need. 
    • Federal Work-Study program allows students to earn money working in part-time jobs on campus. However, it is important to know that students need to apply for the jobs, which can be limited, so even students who are eligible for work-study funds may not be able to find a job that allows them to earn those funds.
    • Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) are awarded based on financial need.  Students who will receive Federal Pell Grants and have the most financial need will receive FSEOGs first. The FSEOG does not need to be repaid. The FSEOG program is administered directly by the financial aid office at each participating school and is therefore called "campus-based" aid.
  • If you are “waiver” eligible through your county of residence, please meet with your services coordinator and make application to your County Office of Intellectual Disability to activate the waiver, identify an employment goal for the Individual Service Plan (ISP), and request support for enrollment in this program no later than May 1.  Recently published waiver guidelines provide detailed information Please access the following is a link and see pages 79 – 83 re:  Education Support Services.
  • Contact the appropriate district office of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (the office that serves your residence) with a request to open a file no later than May 1.
  • Note that it may be necessary for these offices to contact each other regarding their support of the costs for this program.

Proof of FAFSA application is required for waiver funding. To complete the FAFSA requirement for the Educational Support services, the applicant must obtain the Student Aid Report (SAR) from FAFSA. Please check with your supports coordinator for additional information.

  • We list possible scholarship opportunities on our website, you are strongly encouraged to apply to any scholarships that may support this program.  At this time, we are aware that the following agencies have issued scholarships to individuals with intellectual disabilities and other developmental disabilities: 
  • An interview will be scheduled after the Career Studies program receives the completed application or a request to reactivate the application – see below.
  • Individuals who already have an application on file, should submit written confirmation to reactivate the application. Send request to Dr. Linda Rhen, Penn State Harrisburg, 777 W. Harrisburg Pike, Middletown, PA 17057; lxr29@psu.edu.
  • If an interview has been conducted previously, it may not be necessary to participate in another interview.  In that case, a meeting will be scheduled to confirm acceptance and provide information on the program prior to the beginning of the semester.
  • All prospective students must take a campus tour prior to being offered admission. Campus tours are given by the Office of Admissions, contact that office at 717-948-6250 or 948-6240 to schedule a tour.

 

Currently Enrolled / Returning Students

  • Students who are currently enrolled in the program, should apply and register to continue in the program for the following academic year.
  • Application and registration must be completed by the end of the current semester or as soon as possible once the registration materials are available.
  • For current students seeking to continue in the following Academic Year, please address the following:
  • Complete and submit a FAFSA application to the Office of Student Aid by May 1. Proof of FAFSA application may be required for waiver funding. Please check with your supports coordinator.
  • Contact the appropriate district office of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (the office that serves your residence) with a request to open a file no later than May 1.
  • Note that it may be necessary for these offices to contact each other regarding their support of the costs for this program.