*

Applicant Technical Assistance 

Workshop Orientation

U.S. Department of Education

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. EDT

July 22, 2015

Office of Postsecondary Education

Higher Education Programs

Institutional Service

Washington, D.C.

*

U.S. Department of Education

Presented by

Shedita Alston

Program Officer

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

For TPSID Program

related inquiries contact :

Shedita Alston

Shedita.Alston@ed.gov

202-502-7808

TPSID/TPSID-CC 

Program Officer Contact

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

The TPSID Program awards grants to institutions of higher education 

(IHEs) or consortia of (IHEs) to enable them to create or expand high 

quality, inclusive model comprehensive transition and postsecondary 

(CTP) programs for students with intellectual disabilities.

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*
        - Title VII of the Higher Education

   Act of 1965 as amended (HEA) 

   20 U.S.C. 1140g
        -   Education Department General             

   Administrative Regulations (EDGAR)  

   in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 82, 

   84, 86, 97, 98, and 99

TPSID Program

Program Authorization

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

(1)	Five year project performance period;

(2)	Eligible applicants are IHEs or Consortia of IHEs

   	(all eligible applicants must meet the definition of an IHE

	as outlined in the 2015 TPSID application);

Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) or Consortia of IHEs are:

Non-profit, private, degree conferring institutions are allowed to be a part of the consortium of IHEs (this includes two-year colleges and community colleges).

Proprietary schools are not eligible applicants because they do not meet the definition of an IHE, as outlined on pages 9-10 of the 2015 TPSID application. 

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

Regarding the topic of adding a CTP Program to the list of   

  eligible programs at an IHE, it is the Department of 

  Education’s understanding that this process does not pose a 

  large burden on IHEs because it is a part of the same process   

  that IHEs use to notify the Department of any new program that 

  it seeks to include as an eligible Title IV, HEA program.

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

Regarding the topic of adding a CTP Program to the list of eligible programs at an IHE (continued)

It is our understanding that this process is a modification of the current Title IV approval the IHE has in place. It is a separate process that requires involvement of and assistance from the Financial Aid Office of the IHE.

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

    University Centers of Excellence in Disability (UCEDs)

The program legislation does not prohibit an IHE that will not 

    have the program at their IHE from serving as the lead applicant.

    Applicants must independently decide the role they would like their UCED to play in regards to their comprehensive transition programs.  

    All eligible applicants will want to carefully consider a role that is in the overall best interest of their program/project. 

    Applicants that decide to allow an IHE other than the one that will have the CTP program at their IHE serve as the lead applicant, may want to consider how the grant would benefit by having the IHE that is not going to have the comprehensive transition program at their school, serve as the lead applicant.

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

2015 TPSID Program 

Grant Competition Highlights

Highlight #1- Priorities

The TPSID Program has ONE Absolute Priority; THREE Competitive Preference Priorities; and ONE Invitational Priority.

The ONE Absolute Priority/Use of Funds is comprised of EIGHT components:

Serve students with intellectual disabilities;

Provide individual supports and services;

Focus on academic and social integration that lead to gainful employment;

Integrate person- centered planning;

Participate with the Coordinating Center - (project evaluation/technical assistance activities); 

Partner with LEA to address IDEA eligible students;

Plan for sustainability;

Offer a meaningful credential.

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

2015 TPSID Program 

Grant Competition Highlights

The TPSID Program:

(2) Has THREE (Competitive Preference Priorities (CPPs) are OPTIONAL.  Each CPP is worth three points.  Applicants may earn up to a total of NINE additional points, for a total of 109 possible points that may be awarded.)

#1 Sustained and meaningful partnership with relevant agencies serving ID    

     students;

#2 IHE owned or operated housing options for ID students;

#3 Involvement of undergraduate or graduate studying special education, 

     assistive technology or related field;

The specific language for each priority may be found in the “Notice Inviting Applications” for the TPSID program or in the TPSID program application. 

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

2015 TPSID Program 

Grant Competition Highlights

The TPSID Program:

(3) Has ONE Invitational Priority - No additional points are awarded for addressing this priority. Invitational priorities are used as a mechanism by the Department to express its interest in a particular strategy, approach or result of projects that will be funded under a particular program.

Applicants who address this priority must demonstrate that the IHE will use TPSID funds to build, extend or enhance an existing CTP program.  This means to supplement (or enhance) – not supplant in areas such as additional:  courses; enrollment; faculty resources; and training and staff development.

The specific language for each priority may be found in the “Notice Inviting Applications” for the TPSID program or in the TPSID program application

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

2015 TPSID Program 

Grant Competition Highlights

The TPSID Program:

Highlight #2 - Has a matching requirement. Your matching requirement may be met via cash, or in-kind contribution (such as space, equipment, personnel).  Donated time may be used as cost share because the person(s) working on the TPSID grant are not being paid for the time that they are working. 

The TPSID program has an 8 percent indirect cost rate cap. Unrecovered indirect costs (IHEs that have negotiated indirect cost rates well above 8 percent that may be seeking to utilize the remaining indirect costs they were unable to utilize because of the 8 percent cap) MAY NOT be used to meet the match under the TPSID program. 

For applicants that voluntarily include a matching percentage that is above the 25 percent TPSID program matching requirement (for any/all of the project years within their five-year project period) must meet the matching requirement that they proposed and was included in their funded TPSID program application).

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

2015 TPSID Program 

Grant Competition Highlights

The TPSID Program:

Highlight #2 - Has a matching requirement (continued):

Please note:  the matching requirement (which is comprised only of total direct funds) can not be met with federal funds. 

Example: It is the TPSID program’s understanding that, if a TPSID project collaborates with the Vocational Rehabilitation agency within their state and have a partnership established in which Vocational Rehabilitation will be supporting TPSID project participants with tuition and book costs, while they attend that IHE’s TPSID project, that this would be allowable because it is an in-kind contribution (and because it is a non-federal funding source). 

Additional information relating to Vocational Rehabilitation agencies as they relate to the TPSID program may be found in the FAQs located on the TPSID program Web site.

Highlight #3 - Will fund each TPSID project up to $500,000 annually (for each year of the five-project period);

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

2015 TPSID Program 

Grant Competition Highlights

The TPSID Program:

Highlight #4 - Expects to make approximately 20-25 awards (27 awards were made in FY 2010);

Highlight #5 - Estimated amount of funds available for awards is $9,702,980;

Highlight #6 - Estimated average award size is $388,000;

Highlight #7 - TPSID projects will begin on October 1, 2015

(Year one may not be used as a planning year.  Funded TPSID projects must begin their ED-approved grant proposal activities on October 1, 2015).

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

(1) Serve students with intellectual disabilities;

The TPSID program:

*Does not stipulate that TPSID projects are limited to only serving ID students ages 18-26. TPSID projects may propose to serve older adults with intellectual disabilities (who are still eligible for special education and related services under IDEA) who are currently, or were formerly, eligible for free and appropriate public education-Section 760-20 U.S.C. 1140, Section 760 (2);

*Does not stipulate the number of years that may be appropriate 

 for your respective CTP program;

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

(1) Serve students with intellectual disabilities (continued);

The TPSID Program: 

*Legislation does not specify an IQ limitation for the ID students enrolled in their TPSID CTP programs. Please keep in mind that individual IHEs may have their own enrollment requirements.

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

(1) TPSID Program definition of an ID student (continued): 

As a result, only those students with disabilities who meet  the statutory definition of a student with an intellectual disability may be TPSID program participants (those who are or were formerly eligible for a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) under the IDEA—the formal IDEA process and has received an IDEA eligibility determination).  The definition may be found on pages 10 and 11 of the TPSID program application. 

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

        - Additionally, the U.S. Department of Education recognizes that other disabilities such as certain forms of autism and traumatic brain injury, may be considered intellectual disabilities Sec. 668.233 (c ), the student with an intellectual disability is eligible to receive Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG, and FWS program assistance under subpart O of part 668 (Financial Assistance for Students with intellectual disabilities). 
        - For TPSID program applicants to whom this situation may apply: The IHE that is offering the eligible CTP program must then obtain a record from an LEA that the student is or was eligible for special education and related services under the IDEA.

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

        - PLEASE NOTE: If the student’s record does not specifically identify the student as having an intellectual disability:

*The IHE must review all documentation obtained (such as the individualized psycho-educational evaluation and diagnosis of an intellectual disability by a psychologist or other qualified personnel);

*Other acceptable forms of documentation the IHE may review are: a record of the disability from an LEA, SEA or a government agency, such as the Social Security Administration, or a Vocational Rehabilitation agency, that identifies the intellectual disability.

*Based on this guidance, the IHE must make the

determination of whether or not the student meets the definition of an ID student. 

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

(2)  Provides supports and services for ID students (such as access to academic info., career development services, personal development services, and technology exploration. TPSID project staff may also provide universal design teaching techniques to faculty);

TPSID program funds may not be used for:

(1)  Direct financial aid; 

(2)  ID student tuition;

(3)  Room and board;

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

(2) (continued)

TPSID program funds may not be used for:

(4) Stipends;

(5) Subawards

A NOTE REGARDING SUBAWARDS - The TPSID program statute does not explicitly allow subawards.  As a result, subawards are not an allowable means of providing supports and services to TPSID project participants. 

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

ALLOWABLE COSTS 

Beginning on 12/26/14, OMB approved the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (or the Uniform Guidance-2 CFR 200).  The Uniform Guidance applies to all grant awards (new and continuation) made on or after 12/26/14.  Please note that both audit and indirect cost charges also apply. 

The Uniform Guidance supersedes and streamlines requirements from OMB Circulars:  A-21, A-87, A-110, and A-122 (which have been placed in OMB guidance); Circulars A-89, A-102, and A-133; and the guidance in Circular A-50 on single audit act follow up;  Circulars A-89, A-102, and A-110 are now in Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) Subparts B, C, D Circulars A-21, A-87; and A-122 in Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200); Subpart E - Circulars A-133, and A-50 in Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), Subpart F-EDGAR Parts 74 to 99 are now in EDGAR Parts 75-79 and 81-99 and Parts 74 and 80 have become part of 2 CFR 200.

You may access the Uniform Guidance by way of the follow link: http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/textidx?SID=6214841a79953f26c5c230d72d6b70a1&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr200_main_02.tpl

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

ALLOWABLE COSTS (continued)

A note regarding the use of TPSID grant funds, as it relates to the concept of “double dipping”:

If a 2015 TPSID Program applicant is awarded a grant under this program, and as a result, will be operating two federal grants simultaneously that are similar in nature, the TPSID program grantee will need to ensure that sufficient internal controls and accounting are in place. 

The onus on a grantee in this situation is to ensure that TPSID grant funds are used for the intended grant period and that both grants ARE NOT charged for any one/single transaction. 

The TPSID program must not be charged twice for the same service, activity, personnel expense, etc., especially in the circumstance where the objectives in both grants are similar.  

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

(3) (continued) 

The TPSID program “requires students with intellectual disabilities to be socially and academically integrated with their non-disabled students to the maximum extent possible” (Section 760-20 U.S.C. 1140). 

Please note that the definition of a student with an intellectual disability specifically requires “students with intellectual disabilities to participate on not less than a half-time basis,” as determined by the IHE. 

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

(3) (continued);

The TPSID Coordinating Center grantee-UMASS-Boston developed the evaluation tool that has been used to collect program-level data from the FY 2010 TPSID grantees. 

They shared with me the following information which should be useful to FY 2015 TPSID program applicants, as it relates to determining what a “half-time basis” looks:

“TPSID projects want to determine that the clock hours included in their CTP program’s course of study are sufficient to equal full-time status for ID students attending the program. 

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

(3) (continued);

“For college programs that do not lead to a degree, there is a required clock hour to credit hour conversion. The financial aid administrator at your IHE will know how to do that conversion for your respective TPSID project.

“A clock hour is a time period consisting of one or more of the following:

50-60 minutes of class, lecture, or recitation in a 60-minute period;

50-60 minutes of faculty-supervised laboratory, shop training, or internship in a 60-minute period;

60 minutes of preparation in a correspondence course 

      (also referred to as a contact hour); 

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

(3) continued - With that said, this inclusiveness requirement must be met via the following activity types, as ID students learn alongside their non-disabled peers:
        - Regular enrollment in credit bearing, non-credit bearing 

    and/or non-degree courses; 
        - Internships or work-based training in settings;
        - Auditing or participating in courses. 

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

(3) continued - As TPSID project applicants determine what this looks like for your respective projects, this inclusiveness requirement should be aligned with TPSID project participants’ course study plans and post school goals;

On going assessments, and the incorporation of evidenced based best practices, coupled with experiential learning opportunities, should better assist TPSID project participants as they apply the skills they have acquired, prior to the completion of their meaningful credential. 

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

   (4) Integrate person-centered planning;

   This includes an advising and curriculum structure in which academic  

advisors carefully listen, ask questions, and engage these students in the process of better identifying and expressing information related to their own academic and career interests.    

Integration across programs and collaborative academic advising efforts, coupled with information about each student’s individualized strengths and areas of growth, help ID students to make informed decisions about their individualized course of study plans. 

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

(5) TPSID projects will participate with TPSID Coordinating Center (participating in technical assistance and evaluation across TPSID projects with the TPSID Coordinating Center);

(6) Must partner with one or more local educational agencies;

An LEA partnership may look like this:

*Clearly-defined Memos of Understanding with TPSID projects; 

*A clearly defined TPSID project participant recruitment/referral process between the LEA and the TPSID project in which the TPSID project description and requirements are actively disseminated to the LEAs (special education teachers/administrators, transition coordinators, guidance counselors, etc.); 

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

(6) Must partner with one or more local educational agencies

(LEAs...continued)

*Interested and eligible ID students and pertinent teams will hold preliminary, and post TPSID person-centered planning participant meetings with ID students and TPSID project personnel over the course of the ID student’s course of study;

*TPSID project personnel will provide training/professional development for ID students, families, LEAs, and services providers (for the ID student this could be tours of the IHE and informational training re: what skill sets are needed to be a successful college student);

*Mid point and end of course functional skills assessments of ID 

 students will be completed by their instructors and shared with 

 TPSID projects;

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

(6) (continued)

*On an ongoing basis, TPSID project personnel will evaluate the appropriateness of the supports and services being provided to the project participants to ensure that their needs are being met, and, if needed, make appropriate changes to the student’s person-centered academic/career plan to better meet those needs. 

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

   Reminders to TPSID Program applicants 

regarding LEA state requirements 
        - REMINDER #1: Under Section 612(a)(1) of the IDEA and 34 CFR 300.101, each State and its LEAs must make a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) available to all children with specified disabilities residing in the State, in mandatory age ranges. Under 34 CFR 300.17(c) of the regulations implementing Part B of the IDEA, FAPE includes an appropriate preschool, elementary school, or secondary school education in the State involved. 
        - Under the IDEA, LEAs are not required to provide FAPE in postsecondary education settings.  In general, Part B, IDEA funds could be used for appropriate education services included in an IEP that are provided outside of a public or private elementary or secondary school though, if, under State law, the education would be considered secondary school education. 

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

   Reminders to TPSID Program applicants 

regarding LEA state requirements 
        - REMINDER #2:  A student with an intellectual disability is eligible to receive Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG, and FWS program assistance under Sec.  668.233 if the student satisfies the general student eligibility requirements under Sec.  668.32, except for paragraphs (a), (e), and (f) of that section. Section 668.32(b) states that a student is not eligible to receive Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG, or FWS program assistance if he or she is enrolled in elementary or secondary school. 

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

   Reminders to TPSID Program applicants 

regarding LEA state requirements 
        - REMINDER #2 (continued):  In other words, if a student is dually enrolled in a secondary school and an eligible comprehensive transition and postsecondary program, he or she is not eligible for Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG, and FWS program assistance.

Therefore, while an LEA could use Part B, IDEA funds to support a dually enrolled student with a disability's participation in a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program if the services the student received in that program were considered secondary school education under State law and were included in the student's IEP, the student would not be eligible to apply for Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG, and FWS program assistance.

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

   Reminders to TPSID Program applicants 

regarding LEA state requirements 
        - REMINDER #2 (continued): It is optional for TPSID program participants to be dually enrolled, but not a requirement.
        - REMINDER #3: IDEA’s Child Find and Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment requirements apply to all individuals who are still at an age at which they could receive special education services in their state.

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

Program Description-Absolute Priority

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

   Reminders to TPSID Program applicants 

regarding LEA state requirements 
        - REMINDER #3 (continued): If a student with an intellectual disability who is dually enrolled in a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program receives services in that program which is considered secondary education in the State and is included in the student's IEP, the SEA or LEA must monitor the student's progress toward annual academic and functional goals, because those entities are responsible, under the IDEA, for ensuring that the services identified in the student's IEP are provided. 

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

   Reminders to TPSID Program applicants 

regarding LEA state requirements 
        - REMINDER #3 (continued): Additionally, eligible comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs, which operate through institutions, must meet the program requirements in Sec. 668.232, including establishing a policy for determining whether a student enrolled in the comprehensive transition and postsecondary program is making satisfactory academic progress.
        - These provisions mean that, if public agencies of a state operate comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs that dually enroll students who are covered by the IDEA to provide services included in the students' IEPs, the state must ensure that interagency agreements or other written mechanisms meeting these requirements are in place. 

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

   Reminders to TPSID Program applicants 

regarding LEA state requirements 
        - TPSID FOR PROGRAM APPLICANTS are advised to please be sure to carefully consider what is being proposed via your comprehensive transition and postsecondary program vs. what IDEA (and other pertinent sources) is/are willing to pay for.

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

(7) TPSID projects must plan for sustainability

Examples of plans for sustainability include:

*One TPSID project worked with their state government to promote the TPSID program and sought to have state lottery funds designated as a means of payment of tuition for TPSID project participants;

*Another TPSID project has worked with a network of universities which will provide IHE experiences for students with ID. This IHE will serve as a model for other IHEs in their state;

*Another IHE works with several Division of Vocational Rehabilitation transition coordinators who are employed by these entities that have committed to providing ongoing support to ID students in their IHE experiences. 

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

(8) Includes the creation and offering to each TPSID program participant a meaningful credential for students with intellectual disabilities, upon their completion of their CTP program. 

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

(8) continued - A sample meaningful credential could look like this:

*A two-year credential in which the ID student will need to earn between 9-18 credits via the IHE’s continuing education department; 

The credential would be based on the ID student’s person-centered planning course of study plan; 

As the ID student works to earn their credential, the TPSID project coordinator/academic advisors would work with the ID student to select courses that are based on each individual ID student’s  career goals and interests; 

Peer mentors would provide class support; 

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

(8) A sample credential could be (continued):

*While the ID students are taking courses alongside their non-disabled peers, they will be participating in events and activities that allow them to experience increased social inclusion and build their self advocacy and independent living skills (like time management, how to handle their personal finances, safety, etc.);

*Credit-based, experimental and/or community based integrated work experiences could occur on or off campus by vocational rehabilitation agencies or other TPSID project partners; 

*Although the TPSID project does not prohibit this, please note that there is a chance that the IHE in question may not allow non-matriculated ID students to live on campus; 

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*(8) continued - TPSID Project Admission requirements may look something like this:

*Ages 18-26;

*Required documentation of ID as outlined by the TPSID program;

*ID students must demonstrate that they can function independently, and have basic literacy and math skills;

*Demonstrate a moderate level of independence, motivation and express a desire to continue their education on a postsecondary level;

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*(8) TPSID Project Admission requirements may look something like this (continued):

*Demonstrate flexibility and ability to manage stress;

*Family/guardian support of student education, development and independence;

*Pay program cost of $9,000 plus the cost of books, materials, transportation, etc.;

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

 (8) continued - Two valuable, yet OPTIONAL points (FY 2010 TPSID-CC, TPSID projects, and parents and supporters of TPSID project participants have experienced) regarding the topic of a meaningful credential.  These two points are not requirements of the U.S. Department of Education:

POINT #1: From the standpoint of the ID students who earn a meaningful credential, if the credential they earn is recognized by the issuing and/or other IHEs (and other pertinent entities), this credential translates into a tool that they can use to assist them in their quest for gainful employment.

POINT #2: TPSID program participants and their supporters feel the same sense of accomplishment when they have successfully completed their program requirements and are granted the opportunity to receive their meaningful credential during the IHE’s regularly scheduled commencement exercises, alongside their non-disabled peers that have earned degrees.

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

        - Applicants are required to adhere to the page limitation requirements that are in the “Application Narrative Instructions” portion of the TPSID application. 
        - The “Notice Inviting Applications” for new awards for FY 2015, that was published in the Federal Register contains specific information governing page limits for each grant type and formatting instructions.  

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

As stated on page 16 of the 2015 TPSID Program application package, “Applicants who address:

the absolute priority, the selection criteria, 

all three of the competitive preference priorities (no more than five pages per competitive preference priority—

Which can not exceed a total of 15 pages for all three competitive 

preference priorities) and the invitational priority (which can not

exceed a total of three pages).

MUST NOT have their project narrative exceed a total of 58 double-spaced pages for their TPSID application.

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

        - Applicants who wish only to address all of the selection criteria and the absolute priority must limit their project narrative to no more than 40 double-spaced pages.
        - Please include a separate heading for the invitational priority, the absolute priority and for each competitive preference priority that you address.

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

        - Please note: For the purpose of determining compliance with the page limits, each page on which there are words will be counted as one full page. 
        - The Appendices: Please note that a total of 40 pages are allowed for the appendices. This means Appendix 1 may have 10 pages, Appendix 2 may have 10 pages, Appendix 3 may have 10 pages and Appendix 4 may have 10 pages. Each appendix should be clearly labeled and separately uploaded in the “Other Attachments Form” section of the TPSID application package.  Applicants are reminded only to upload documents as outlined on page 67 of the TPSID program application.

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

        - Important Note:  Please separately label and separately upload the following attachment documents into the "Other Attachments Form" section of the 2015 TPSID Program application package: the abstract; the TPSID application narrative; and the appendices.
        - You must follow the format and page limitation instructions that are designated for each of the above referenced documents, as outlined in the 2015 published Federal Register notice for the TPSID program:
        - The Budget Narrative:  Per the TPSID program application package, the budget narrative must be included in the "Adequacy of Resources" section of your application. The budget narrative is not included in the page limitation for the TPSID application project narrative.  Please clearly label each page of your budget narrative.

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

The Budget Narrative: The budget narrative is not counted towards the TPSID program application narrative page limitation (even though it is being housed in this area of the TPSID application package).  Each page of the budget narrative must be clearly labeled by the applicant and uploaded into the "Adequacy of Resources" section of the TPSID application.  Please follow the instructions for the 40 limitation that was outlined in the application package.  

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

Both the TPSID application and TPSID-CC packets may

be found via:  www.Grants.gov

The CFDA numbers: TPSID is 84.407A; 

TPSID-CC is 84.407B

The opportunity numbers: TPSID program is 062615-001;

TPSID-CC is 062615-002.

US Dept of Education- Office of Postsecondary Education

*

US Dept of Education- Office of Postsecondary Education

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

The TPSID program selection criteria are included in the “Notice Inviting Applications” which was published in the June 26th publication of the Federal Register, as well as in the TPSID program application package.

The selection criteria were extracted from EDGAR 34 CFR Part 75 sections 75.210.

You may access EDGAR electronically by going to the following link: 

http://www.ed.gov/policy/fund/reg/edgarReg/edgar.html

TPSID PROGRAM 

Selection Criteria

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

Need for Project 				(10)

Significance 				(15)

Quality of Project Design 		(20)

Quality of Project Services 		(15)

Quality of Project Personnel 		(10)

Adequacy of Resources 		(15)

Quality of Project Evaluation 		(15)

______________________________________

Total						100 points 

TPSID Program 

Selection Criteria

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

        - Title VII (TPSID) vs. Title IV (Financial Aid)

The TPSID Program grant award process and the process for approving CTP programs in order for the program participants to be deemed eligible to receive federal financial aid are SEPERATE processes.
        - Institutional information -  http://www.ifap.ed.gov/ifap/index.jsp

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*
        - HEA allows an eligible student with an intellectual disability attending an eligible comprehensive transition and postsecondary (CTP) program to receive aid from the following Title IV programs:

Federal Pell Grant,

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, and

Federal Work-Study
        - Implementing regulations can be found at 34 C.F.R. 668, Subpart O

*

*
        - Student Eligibility
        - Program Eligibility and Approval
        - Demonstrating Financial Need (FAFSA)

*

*
        - Student Aid on the Web:  http://studentaid.ed.gov/eligibility/intellectual-disabilities 
        - Details the basic student eligibility requirements;
        - Links to the regulatory requirements for a CTP Program;
        - Contains a list of approved CTP Programs.

*

*

Contact the School Participation Team (SPT) for your state.

Also available at www.eligcert.ed.gov

Questions about your application?
| Boston (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT):  617-289-0133       | Dallas (AR, LA, NM, OK, TX):  214-661-9490             |
|------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------|
| New York (NJ, NY, PR, VI):  646-428-3750             | Kansas City (IA, KS, KY, MO, NE, TN):  816-268-0410    |
| Philadelphia (DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV):  215-656-6442 | Denver (CO, MI, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY):  303-844-3677     |
| Atlanta (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC):  404-974-9303      | San Francisco (AZ, CA, HI, NV, Pacific):  415-486-5677 |
| Chicago (IL, IN, MN, OH, WI):  312-730-1511          | Seattle  (AK, ID, OR, WA):  206-615-2594               |

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

Approved Listing as of December 2014
| CTP Programs Approved to Participate in the Federal Student Aid Programs* |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| SCHOOL                                                                    | LOCATION |
| California State University                                               | Fresno, California |
| University of California                                                  | Los Angeles, California |
| San Diego City College                                                    | San Diego, California |
| San Diego Mesa College                                                    | San Diego, California |
| Santa Rosa Junior College                                                 | Santa Rosa, California |
| Taft College                                                              | Taft, California |
| University of Delaware                                                    | Newark, Delaware |
| Southeastern University                                                   | Lakeland, Florida |
| Kennesaw State University                                                 | Kennesaw, Georgia |
| Elmhurst College                                                          | Elmhurst, Illinois |
| Heartland Community College                                               | Normal, Illinois |
| Bluegrass Community and Technical College                                 | Lexington, Kentucky |
| Spalding University                                                       | Louisville, Kentucky |
| Murray State University                                                   | Murray, Kentucky |
| Rochester Community and Technical College                                 | Rochester, Minnesota |
| University of Central Missouri                                            | Warrensburg, Missouri |
| Camden County College                                                     | Blackwood, New Jersey |
| The College of New Jersey                                                 | Ewing, New Jersey |
| New York Institute of Technology                                          | Old Westbury, New York |
| Monroe Community College                                                  | Rochester, New York |
| Roberts Wesleyan College                                                  | Rochester, New York |
| Appalachian State                                                         | Boone, North Carolina |
| Western Carolina University                                               | Cullowhee, North Carolina |
| UNC – Greensboro                                                          | Greensboro, North Carolina |
| Western Piedmont Community College                                        | Morganton, North Carolina |
| Kent State University                                                     | Kent, Ohio |
| Arcadia University                                                        | Glenside, Pennsylvania |
| College of Charleston                                                     | Charleston, South Carolina |
| Clemson University                                                        | Clemson, South Carolina |
| University of South Carolina                                              | Columbia, South Carolina |
| Coastal Carolina University                                               | Conway, South Carolina |
| Winthrop University                                                       | Rock Hill, South Carolina |
| University of Tennessee                                                   | Knoxville, Tennessee |
| Lipscomb University                                                       | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Vanderbilt University                                                     | Nashville, Tennessee |
| George Mason University                                                   | Fairfax, Virginia |

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

Office of Postsecondary Education’s (OPE)

Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP)

Liaison

Ashley Higgins

E-mail:  Ashley.Higgins@ed.gov

Telephone:  202-219-7061

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*
        - GPRA directs Federal departments and agencies to improve the effectiveness of their programs by engaging in strategic planning, setting outcome-related goals for programs, and measuring program results against those goals.

The goal of the TPSID program is to promote the successful transition of students with intellectual disabilities into higher education;

Required to submit annual performance reports;

Required to participate in evaluation activities and dedicate resources to evaluation through the TPSID coordinating center.

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

        - All TPSID program grantees are required to submit annual performance reports to the TPSID program office. You may find the performance measures for this program in the “Notice Inviting Applications,” as well as in the TPSID program application.

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

        - TPSID Grantees will report:

Resource inputs, including sources of student financial assistance and contributions from vocational rehabilitation and other service agencies; 

Student characteristics (non-PII); 

Program staffing; and

Student academic, social, and employment outcomes. 

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*
        - Student population
        - Academic and social inclusion
        - Individualized student needs and gainful employment
        - Partnerships with LEAs
        - Plans for program sustainability
        - Credential offered
        - Enrollment changes
        - Persistence and completion
        - Project goals and plans
        - Competitive priorities, if applicable

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*
        - Title VII of the Higher Education

   Act of 1965 as amended (HEA), 

   20 USC 1140q(b) 
        -   Education Department General             

   Administrative Regulations (EDGAR)  

   in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 82, 

   84, 86, 97, 98, and 99

TPSID Coordinating Center Program

Program Authorization

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

2015 TPSID Coordinating Center Program 

Grant Competition Highlights

Highlight #1:  The FY 2015 Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations 

Act included $2,000,000 per year to be used to support a national Coordinating 

Center that is charged with conducting and disseminating research on strategies 

to promote positive academic, employment and independent living outcomes 

for students with intellectual disabilities, of the five-year project period;

Highlight #2:  Eligible applicants:  An eligible entity means an entity, or a 

partnership of entities, that has demonstrated expertise in the fields of— 

(A) higher education; 

(B) the education of students with intellectual disabilities; 

(C) the development of comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs 

for students with intellectual disabilities; and 

(D) evaluation and technical assistance.

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

2015 TPSID Coordinating Center Program 

Grant Competition Highlights

Highlight #3:  The TPSID-CC will administer a mentoring program in which 

current and new TPSID program grantees will be matched as another means of 

support for projects, based on areas of expertise;

Highlight #4:  Additionally, the TPSID-CC will coordinate longitudinal follow-up

data collection and technical assistance to TPSID grantees on programmatic 

components and evidence-based practices;

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

2015 TPSID Coordinating Center Program 

Grant Competition Highlights

Highlight #5: For the FY 2015 grant competition, there are only FIVE selection 

criteria for applicants to address (there is no Need For Project or 

Significance selection criteria to address);

The selection criteria are derived from EDGAR 34 CFR part 75 sections 

75.209(a) and 75.210 and will be used to evaluate the TPSID 

Coordinating Center Program application. 

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

2015 TPSID Coordinating Center Program 

Grant Competition Highlights

Highlight #6:  For the FY 2015 grant competition, there is only ONE 

absolute priority;

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

The Coordinating Center activities are based on a framework that includes:

(1) knowledge development and evaluation; 

(2) technical assistance and dissemination; 

(3) leadership and coordination. 

Serving as a leader in coordinating communication strategies about comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs, the Coordinating Center will continue to build the knowledge base around evidence-based components of comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs. The Coordinating Center will evaluate the design of the current TPSID program protocols, as well as analyze, collect, retain, and report data about TPSID program components and outcomes. 

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

The Coordinating Center activities are based on a framework that includes (continued):

The Coordinating Center will evaluate the design of the current TPSID program protocols, as well as analyze, collect, retain, and report data about TPSID program components and outcomes. 

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

2015 TPSID Coordinating Center Program 

Grant Competition Highlights

Highlight #7: TPSID-CC applicants may earn a total maximum of 75 points.  

Highlight #8: TPSID-CC applicants have a project narrative page limitation of 

70 pages;

Highlight #9:  Year One of the TPSID Coordinating Center project 

period MAY NOT be used as a planning year;

Highlight #10:  Although Appendices 1-3 have no page limit, applicants are asked 

to please be reasonable when making that determination. Each appendix should be 

clearly labeled and separately uploaded in the “Other Attachments Form” section 

of the TPSID Coordinating Center application package. Applicants are reminded 

to only upload what is outlined on pages 63 and 64 of the TPSID Coordinating 

Center application package. Optional Appendix 4 may have up to five pages;

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

The purpose of the five-year cooperative agreement is to establish a Coordinating Center for institutions of higher education that offer inclusive comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities, including institutions funded under the Transition Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) Program (http://www.ed.gov/programs/TPSID).

The National Coordinating Center is charged with conducting and disseminating research on strategies to promote positive academic, social, employment, and independent living outcomes for students with intellectual disabilities. 

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

The applicant funded to operate the Coordinating Center will:

*Establish a comprehensive research and evaluation protocol for TPSID programs; 

*Administer a mentoring program matching current and new TPSID grantees based on areas of expertise; and 

*Coordinate longitudinal follow-up data collection and technical assistance to TPSID grantees on programmatic components and evidence-based practices. 

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

The applicant funded to operate the Coordinating Center will (continued):

*Provide technical assistance to build the capacity of K-12 transition services as well as postsecondary education inclusive practices, among other activities. 

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

        - Important Note:  Please separately label and separately upload the following attachment documents into the "Other Attachments Form" section of the 2015 TPSID Coordinating Center Program application package:  the abstract; the TPSID Coordinating Center application narrative; and the appendices.
        - You must follow the format and page limitation instructions that are designated for each of the above referenced documents, as outlined in the 2015 published Federal Register notice for the TPSID Coordinating Center program:
        - The Budget Narrative:  Per the TPSID-CC program application package, the budget narrative must be included in the "Adequacy of Resources" section of your application. The budget narrative is not included in the page limitation for the TPSID-CC program application project narrative. Please clearly label each page of your budget narrative.

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

The Budget Narrative: The budget narrative is not counted towards the TPSID program application narrative page limitation (even though it is being housed in this area of the TPSID-CC program application package).  Each page of the budget narrative must be clearly labeled by the applicant and uploaded into the "Adequacy of Resources" section of the TPSID application.  Please follow the instructions for the 70 limitation that was outlined in the application package.

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

        - The TPSID Coordinating Center program grantee is required to submit annual performance reports to the TPSID program office. You may find the performance measures for this program in the “Notice Inviting Applications,” as well as in the TPSID program application.

*

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

*

For TPSID Program

related inquiries contact :

Shedita Alston

Shedita.Alston@ed.gov

202-502-7808

TPSID/TPSID-CC 

Program Officer Contact

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education

U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education