First Steps for Approved Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Programs

Congratulations on becoming a Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program (FPCTP). The following are suggestions to help you implement the vision written in the FPCTP application as you navigate this first academic year.

The next step is to complete the FPCTP grant proposal. Just as with your FPCTP application, the FPCTP Grant proposal should align with your team’s strategic planning. The FPCTP Grant provides the funding to implement the FPCTP program. While you are working on your FPCTP Grant, there are some other steps that you need to keep in mind.

Identify and invite colleagues from your institution's offices for financial aid, grant writing, administration, human resources to discuss plans of implementation and progress. The areas you will need to consider include budget, faculty supports and professional development with faculty, and status of completing the FPCTP grant proposal and the Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) program application. These meetings can be reduced to an as needed basis, once the FPCTP is fully operational.

FPCTP you have worked diligently to get approved. Before implementing any marketing or recruiting activities, get approval from your administration.
  • Create a press release announcing your program that can be sent to approved media outlets. This announcement can also be sent to school districts, agencies, and disability programs within your range.
  • Create a webpage connected to the institute's webpage with information for families of students with intellectual disabilities about the program.
  • Create a flyer/brochure about your program. Include information about the credentials offered, the application process and other unique characteristics about your program that students may need to be aware of. Visit Find A Postsecondary Program to see other FPCTP brochures.
  • Schedule meetings to share the program with school districts and agencies.

In the FCSUA Community, the program coordinators will complete a cost estimator for every concentration, or track, in your FPCTP. Next, submit a scholarship request for each student who will enroll in each concentration (track). Each semester, there is a disbursement confirmation to submit for each student's awarded scholarship. Near the end of the semester, the program coordinator will receive an email notification to complete a “disbursement report” for each scholarship recipient. Students will keep any remaining funds in their account unless they are withdrawn from the FPCTP before the end of the semester. For more information regarding the scholarship request and reporting processes, visit our FPCTP Scholarships page.

The FPCTP Reporting Schedule will help the program coordinator turn in reports on time.
  • For the FPCTP, there is an annual program report, student information reports, and graduate reports. For more details on how to submit these reports visit the FPCTP Reports page.
  • For those who have been awarded a FPCTP grant, there are quarterly invoices and summary of activities and an annual and final performance report. For more details on how to submit these reports visit the FPCTP Grants Related Reports page.
  • The Strategic Planning Tool - Postsecondary Education will also have a mid-year (Step 4) and end of year (Step 5) reporting scheduled with a facilitator to review program goals, tasks, and action plans.
  • Schedule meetings to share the program with school districts and agencies.

FCSUA hosts monthly webinars on the first Tuesday of each month from 3:00 - 4:00pm. Past topics include student recruitment, comprehensive reporting, mental health, and employment. Registration information can be found on the Events page. If you want to watch past webinars or are unable to attend one, the webinars are recorded and available on the FCSUA YouTube Channel.
We are here to provide you with assistance. Program leaders from other approved FPCTPs are another great resource to connect with and ask questions.

In your FPCTP Application you provided a date that you would have your Federal Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) Program application. FPCTPs have up to one year after approval to submit the CTP Program application.

Postsecondary education institutions participating in the federal financial aid programs under Title IV are eligible to apply to have their postsecondary education program for students with intellectual disabilities approved as a comprehensive transition and postsecondary (CTP) program at the federal level. Federal CTP program requirements are like those for Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Programs (FPCTPs) as defined in the Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program Act (FS 1004.6495) with the exception of the meaningful credential requirement for FPCTPs. FPCTPs must complete the CTP application and become approved within a year of becoming approved FPCTP.

Being an approved CTP program means students can apply for federal student aid to help pay for their studies. The Higher Education Opportunity Act, (Public Law 110-315) includes provisions that allow students with intellectual disabilities attending approved CTPs to receive federal student financial aid funding. This includes Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and Federal Work-Study Programs:

  • Federal Pell Grant - A federal grant for undergraduate students with financial need. Unlike loans, the Pell Grant does not have to be paid back, except under certain circumstances.
  • Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) - is a grant for undergraduate students with exceptional need.
  • Work-Study Programs - A federal student aid program that provides part-time employment while students are enrolled in school to help pay your education expenses.

The CTP application is completed through the financial aid office through the institutions “e-app.” The FPCTP coordinator will need to work with the financial aid office by preparing a detailed description of the CTP program and which indicates how the program meets all the regulatory requirements for a CTP program, listed below.

  • Be delivered to students physically attending the institution.
  • Be designed to support students with intellectual disabilities who are seeking to continue academic, career and technical, and independent living instruction at an institution of higher education to prepare for gainful employment.
  • Include an advising and curriculum structure.
  • Require students with intellectual disabilities to have at least one-half of their participation in the program, as determined by the institution, focus on academic components through one or more of the following activities:
    • Taking credit-bearing courses with students without disabilities.
    • Auditing or otherwise participating in courses with students without disabilities for which the student does not receive regular academic credit.
    • Taking non-credit-bearing, non-degree courses with students without disabilities.
    • Participating in internships or work-based training in settings with individuals without disabilities; and
    • Provide students with intellectual disabilities opportunities to participate in coursework and other activities with students without disabilities.
  • An institution's application for approval of its CTP program must also include:
    • The institution's policy for determining whether a student enrolled in the program is making satisfactory academic progress.
    • The number of weeks of instructional time and the number of semester or quarter credit hours or clock hours in the program, including the equivalent credit or clock hours associated with noncredit or reduced credit courses or activities.
    • A description of the educational credential offered (e.g., degree or certificate) or identified outcome or outcomes established by the institution for all students enrolled in the program.
    • A copy of the letter or notice sent to the institution's accrediting agency informing the agency of its CTP program. The letter or notice must include a description of the items in paragraphs (1) through (4) of this section.

For more information and resources check the following links