Introduction to Vocational Rehabilitation

AN INTRODUCTION TO

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

FOR MANY BEACON STUDENTS, VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION IS AN INVALUABLE SOURCE OF ADDED FINANCIAL SUPPORT.

What Is Vocational Rehabilitation? Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a joint federal/state program offered in every U.S. state and territory. Its focus is to help state residents with disabilities get the training and education needed to secure employment. You can locate your state’s VR office at rsa.ed.gov/about/states .

VR AND BEACON COLLEGE VR’s mission to help individuals with disabilities gain and maintain employment closely aligns with the mission of higher education institutions like Beacon College. We offer students with diagnosed learning disabilities the comprehensive and impactful services they need to develop their skills, succeed academically, and ultimately secure employment. Our uniquely focused living/learning experience for students with learning disabilities is even recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a medical tax deduction. One out of four Beacon students receives VR services and support from their state. Financial support varies from state to state. Current VR funding for individual Beacon students ranges from $1,000-$2,000 up to $20,000 per semester.

HOW DOES VR WORK? VR supports are individualized. You’ll be assigned a VR counselor in your state to develop a unique plan — specific to you — that outlines the services you may need. These supports might include: • Counseling and guidance development • Tuition and fee support • Books/supplies • Assistive technology • Transportation assistance • Other services as determined

LOCATE YOUR STATE’S VR OFFICE AT rsa.ed.gov/about/states

LOCATE YOUR STATE’S VR OFFICE AT rsa.ed.gov/about/states

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AN INTRODUCTION TO

How Beacon Prepares Students for a Career Beacon excels in helping students with LDs complete their college experience: • 90% of all first-year students continue into their sophomore year. This is a critical indicator of long-term college persistence and success. • 100% of all students complete an internship as part of their degree requirements. • 70% of all students graduate in four years — significantly above the national average of 33% for public and 53% for private colleges and universities. • 83% of all Beacon graduates are employed or pursuing graduate study (based on a 10-year survey). Every student at Beacon participates in a four year career development program that starts on their first day on campus. • A personal career advisor works with each student throughout their college experience. • All students are trained in and have free access to the latest job search technology, including Handshake and Big Interview. • Beacon alumni have continued access to the College’s career development services.

HOW DO I START? You and your parents or guardians can contact your state’s VR office anytime after you reach age 14. Starting a relationship with VR while you are in high school helps ensure enough time to work with a VR counselor to determine your employment goals before entering college. Your VR office and counselor are advocates for your success. NOTE: The participation of your parent or guardians with VR is essential, especially if you are under age 18. Each state has its own eligibility criteria, application processes, and methods for determining the level of support. If your VR office determines you are eligible, your VR counselor will work with you to develop an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) . The IPE covers job goals, the services needed to succeed in those job goals, and the review process for progress toward goal achievement, such as obtaining a college degree. WE’RE HERE TO HELP! If you need help accessing your state’s VR office — or if you need assistance if you have been determined ineligible for funding — contact Beacon’s Office of Enrollment Management & Financial Aid for assistance, as noted below. U.S. News & World Report ranks Beacon #5 as a “Best Regional College for Social Mobility.” It recognizes that “Some colleges are more successful than others at advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating large proportions of disadvantaged students.”

For More Information

Chrystol Ingram, MBA, PM Associate Director Office of Enrollment Services

Phone: 352-638-9792 Fax: 352-787-0796 Email: cingram@BeaconCollege.edu

& Financial Aid Beacon College 105 East Main Street Leesburg, Florida 34748

105 East Main Street Leesburg, Florida 34748 BeaconCollege.edu

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