Are There IEPs and 504 Plans in College?
Here at Student Access for Improved Learning (SAIL), our main function is to ensure that students with documented disabilities receive academic accommodations in their classes and in testing environments. Accommodations in college are meant to create equal access and to remove barriers to learning. For example, some accommodations that we may be able to approve include having you take your tests and quizzes in a quiet location, receiving extra time on those tests and quizzes, and even sign language interpreting services. In the K-12 school system, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 Plans are created for students with disabilities; these describe the student’s educational needs, goals, and what accommodations the school will provide to support their education. The plans are generally reviewed on a yearly basis and can be updated to reflect changes and recommendations.
It’s a common misconception that if you were a high school student with an IEP or 504 Plan, then your accommodations will automatically transfer to EFSC, but that’s not the case! Once you graduate from high school, your IEP or 504 Plan is terminated—but that doesn’t mean you can’t still get accommodations. It just requires a different process.
In order to have access to academic accommodations at EFSC, you’ll need to self-disclose to SAIL and register with our office. Registration includes completing an application, submitting supportive documentation from a professional who is qualified to tell us about your diagnosis and limitations (this could be a doctor, mental health professional, or psychiatrist), completing an interactive intake interview, and completing a file review. Once approved, the process also includes notifying your instructors about the accommodations. In some cases, we may be able to review a former IEP or 504 Plan to see if you can be approved for temporary accommodations, but updated documentation is required to approve accommodations on a permanent basis.
Registration with SAIL is completely voluntary, which is very different from the K-12 process. In high school, teachers and other staff members often identify students who may be having academic difficulties and request that an evaluation be completed. Then, if a student is determined to have a disability, an IEP or 504 Plan is created and implemented. It’s important to note that SAIL doesn’t complete assessments or cover testing costs. This also differs from the K-12 setting, where they usually provide free evaluations for students.
There are additional differences between high school and college when it comes to accommodations and academic support. For example, in high school, teachers can modify assignments, tests, quizzes, and what they teach in the classroom. In college, modifications to courses, exam formats, grades, and assignments are not available. Another difference between high school and college is that in college, tutoring does not fall under disability services and is not considered an academic adjustment or accommodation. College students with documented disabilities must seek out tutoring or other academic support resources, as these are available to all students. Ultimately, in high school, accommodations are meant to keep the focus on success, whereas in college, the focus is on access.
Our Access Specialists are often asked whether there are any deadlines for turning in a SAIL application. Technically, there are no deadlines—but the earlier in the term you apply, the better, as some accommodations can take a little longer to prepare on our end. If you’re still in high school, you can get a head start by obtaining a copy of your most recent IEP or 504 Plan, gathering documentation from doctor or therapist visits, or finding out how to obtain an updated evaluation from a qualified professional. The more effort you put in up front, the less you’ll have to worry about once your college classes start.
No matter which campus you attend, there will be a SAIL Access Specialist available to help you! Even if you’re approved for accommodations and are taking classes on more than one campus, rest assured that your accommodations will transfer to each EFSC campus. If you’re interested in learning more about SAIL services or the differences between accommodations in college versus high school, be sure to check out the SAIL web page.
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