If your question is not answered by the Frequently Asked Questions
below, please contact College Living Experience at (800) 486-5058.
What is included in the fees paid to College Living Experience?
Fees paid to College Living Experience cover a complete network of
comprehensive support to help students live independently, achieve academically
and engage socially. Each student receives academic, independent living and
social skills instruction for a period of 12 months from a team of
professionals whose goal is to help him or her become more self-sufficient,
independent and confident.
For example, during a typical week, most students receive four to
six hours of one-on-one tutoring and at least two hours of independent
living skills training. They meet with their mentor a minimum of an
hour a week and they participate in several hours of facilitated events
and social interactions with peers and adults. Students also
participate in a weekly discussion group led by the staff psychologist
and they receive the ongoing support of a resident advisor, case
manager, academic liaison and site director.
For more information on the costs associated with the program, see Tuition and Expenses.
What types of professionals make up the College Living Experience
team?
The College Living Experience team includes:
- An academic liaison who ensures each student is
registered for the appropriate classes based on his or her skill set
and instruction level, establishes a relationship with the school’s
Office of Disability Services, monitors students’ progress,
participation and attendance in class, and provides disability
awareness among students, faculty and staff;
- A tutor coordinator and subject-specific tutors who work with students one-on-one;
- An
independent living skills coordinator who helps students manage
activities such as paying bills, shopping, preparing meals and other
skills that promote independence;
- Mentors, typically
graduate students in psychology, who facilitate the guided application
of newly learned social skills so students gain independence and
confidence;
- A case manager who monitors students’ overall progress and serves as the primary contact with parents;
- A
staff psychologist who supervises the mentors, leads student discussion
groups and helps the staff develop intervention plans for each student
based on the student’s individual needs; and
- A resident
advisor who lives in or near the students’ apartment complex and helps
students navigate daily life, plan and participate in social events and
manage routine household matters.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. Because we provide
programs and services based on students’ individual needs, a variety of
financial aid and funding options are available for eligible students. Depending on
individual student needs, many families can apply for funding from state or
federal agencies. CLE admissions coordinators will work with families to
determine what funds might be available and assist in accessing them.
They include but are not limited to:
- The U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs;
- The Department of Vocational Rehabilitation;
- California Department of Developmental Services, Regional
Centers ;
- Sallie Mae®, the nation's leading provider of student loans
and administrator of college savings plans; and others.
In addition, a payment schedule is available. Call us at
(800) 486-5058 to learn more about funding options and financial aid.
What are the requirements for admission to a College Living Experience program?
Students’ emotional and physical security are considered in
making all decisions regarding admission to a College Living Experience
program. Each student is assessed individually to determine whether he
or she would benefit from College Living Experience and to identify the
most appropriate vocational, technical or academic program. In order to
be successful, prospective students should be motivated to become more
independent and they should be able to live safely in an apartment
without constant adult supervision.
Why do students live in apartments rather than in dorms?
The goal of College Living Experience is to prepare students
for independent adulthood. For this reason, students live in apartments
so they can learn to shop for groceries, cook, clean and manage basic
maintenance such as unclogging a sink. Under the direction of an
independent living skills coordinator, students gain experience and
confidence in accepting responsibility for tasks of daily living.
Equally important, CLE students receive the social benefits of sharing
living space, responsibilities, interaction and friendship with a
roommate.
Can students live at home with their parents?
Yes, students can live at home with their parents and participate in a
local College Living Experience program at any one of our sites.
How much direct supervision does College Living Experience provide?
College Living Experience provides the level of supervision
each student requires to become more independent. All students receive
the comprehensive academic, independent living and social skills
support they need to become functional, self-sufficient adults. The
program is tailored to meet the needs of each individual student.
How long do students participate in College Living Experience?
Most students participate in College Living Experience for two
years, although some students remain in the program longer while they
complete their education or receive additional support to transition
into a vocational or career setting.
What is the age range of College Living Experience students?
The minimum age is typically 18. Students who will be juniors
or seniors in high school or high school graduates who are considering
enrolling in College Living Experience can participate in our
three-week Summer Program, which provides an introduction to CLE. Like
any post-secondary education program, College Living Experience has no
maximum age limit.
What do students do when they complete the program?
Upon completion of the program, College Living Experience
students are prepared to live more independent lives. This means they
can explore a variety of opportunities such as living successfully on
their own or with a roommate, they can establish and maintain
appropriate and fulfilling relationships, continue their post-secondary
education or begin a career.
What are typical disabilities of College Living Experience students?
College Living Experience provides intensive assistance to
students of with varying abilities. Some students have autism spectrum
disorders, including Asperger’s Syndrome. Others have conditions such
as dyslexia and ADD/ADHD or social and emotional maturation issues. We
provide ongoing social facilitation to promote acceptance, respect and
understanding because we believe these values are of paramount
importance. For more information on the varying abilities of CLE
students, see the
Exceptionalities page.
How does College Living Experience assist students who have medical needs?
College Living Experience does everything possible to secure
assistance for students with medical needs. For example, the Department
of Veterans Affairs adapted an apartment to accommodate a student with
physical disabilities. Because CLE provides individualized services,
assistance is based on individual student needs.
Because the goal of CLE is to prepare students for independent
adulthood, it is important that students have the skills to take
medication on their own. We support students by monitoring
prescriptions, establishing a reminder system to prompt prescription
refills and helping them learn to be mindful of their medical
conditions.
Call us at (800) 486-5058 to discuss questions about specific medical needs.
Who owns College Living Experience?
College Living Experience is a division of Educational Services
of America, the nation’s leading provider of K-12 and post-secondary
alternative and special education. Educational Services of America is
headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., and operates more than 130 schools
and programs in numerous states. Educational Services of America is
accredited by The Commission on International and Trans-Regional
Accreditation (CITA), an international alliance of premier accrediting
organizations including the Middle States Association of Colleges and
School, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Council on
Occupational Education.
For more about ESA and its programs for students with special needs, see the
About Us page.