WNY Collegiate Consortium and Disability Advocates

It is important that all stakeholders in the transition planning process needs to understand that having an Individualized Education Program while in high school is not the same as earning an IEP diploma. Many students with Individualized Education Programs pass all their competency exams and earn local or Regents diplomas. Students in special education, who earn an IEP diploma or reach the age of 21 without completing the requirements for a local or Regents diploma, may have postsecondary educational opportunities. Students who have an IEP diploma are non-high school graduates and must therefore follow the requirements of non-high school graduates when applying to college. Students who earn an IEP diploma have the legal right to remain in their school district until age 21 to pursue completion of local or GED diploma requirements or other goals on their Individualized Education Program. Students who complete the local or GED requirements are high school graduates and are entitled to the same rights and privileges as any other high school graduate.

Colleges divide students into two categories: matriculated and non-matriculated. Matriculated students meet all the admissions criteria for the college (including high school diploma or GED), have been accepted to an academic program and are eligible for all programs and services including financial aid.

Non-matriculated students do not meet the criteria for admissions (includes non-high school graduates), are generally accepted only for less than full time credit and are not generally eligible for financial aid such as the NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), PELL or a guaranteed student loan.