Monday, February 25, 2013

TN Scholarships for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities




college, disabilities, scholarships, lottery, bill
Teresa and Meredith Schlandt of Clinton. 20-year-old Meredith is in her second year at the FUTURE program at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, fulfilling her dream to attend college. like her older brother. CREDIT: Teresa Schlandt

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A bill that aims to create college scholarships for Tennessee students with intellectual disabilities is being considered by State Legislature. Among the supporters of the legislation is Tammy Day, who runs the Next Steps program for such young adults at Vanderbilt University.
"This legislation would open the doors to many more young adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities to have the opportunity to continue their formal education with their peers," Day said.
Funding for the STEP UP Scholarships would come from the state's Lottery for Education Account. Day says the cost would be recouped as the students gain employment and become taxpayers for years to come.
In all, the STEP UP Scholarships would help nearly 50 students a year with tuition, and they have several options on which school to attend. In addition to Next Steps, there's TigerLIFE at the University of Memphis and the FUTURE program at the University of Tennessee.
Read more about the future of the state's first college scholarship program for adults with intellectual disabilities here: 
http://bit.ly/133K56L


 

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