Questions & Answers

The College Experience program was developed collaborative with Living Resources, an organization dedicated to providing growth opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The program launched in 2005, and remains just one of a handful of academic programs in the nation that serve the developmentally disabled population post High School graduation.

The objective of the program is to give students with developmental disabilities opportunities similar to their siblings and high-school peers. These students have the chance to attend college in order to transition to independent adult life, but with accommodated instruction that addresses students’ needs for practical living and working skills.

Professors in the College Experience program combine their expertise in classroom and collegiate-level teaching with their knowledge of the needs of individuals with disabilities to create an atmosphere that is ripe for learning.

Master’s and doctoral-qualified adjuncts teach a wide range of programs designed with our students in mind. Our graduates leave prepared to begin the next chapter of their lives with the skills and experience they need to succeed in the real world.

General Education courses may include:

  • Cooking I and II
  • Menu Planning and Grocery Shopping
  • Travel Navigation
  • Executive Functioning
  • Budgeting and Personal Finance
  • Apartment Life
  • Internship Seminar I and II
  • Health & Wellness

Elective courses may include:

  • Interpersonal Communications
  • Psychology
  • Music Appreciation
  • American Political Culture
  • Art
  • Creative Writing
  • Fashion

No, students in the College Experience participate in a modified curriculum with the focus of functional life skill courses with an applied internship in their second year. All students graduate at a college commencement ceremony with a certificate of completion from the College Experience and its host institution.

For students who are ready for a more challenging curriculum culminating with a Bachelors Degree, Associates Degree and/or Career Certificate, check out our additional program, CareerNext at SUNY Cobleskill and Hudson Valley Community College.

True independence starts for our students when they move out of their family home and into a residence with their peers. Ten off-campus residences, located in a safe and friendly neighborhood, house our freshmen and senior students. Freshmen, Year 1, and seniors, Year 2, live together in groups of 3-9 and learn to share the responsibilities of off-campus living. Each student has their own bedroom and shares common living areas. Seniors act as mentors to our freshmen and assist them in many meaningful ways. Living with housemates allows students the opportunity to improve their skills in communication, problem solving and conflict resolution.

All students have their own bedroom and share common areas. All bedrooms come furnished with a twin bed, dresser and desk.

The residences are located within walking distance of The College of Saint Rose and many local businesses, such as:

  • Price Chopper
  • CVS
  • Madison Theater
  • Subway
  • Dunkin’ Donuts
  • Bruegger’s Bagels
  • Citizens Bank
  • U.S. Post Office
  • Albany Public Library – Pine Hills Branch

Students must have a strong drive to succeed and live independently. We want to see that the student has the motivation to achieve their goals. Students must exhibit the desire to continue classroom learning and participate in events on campus and in the community.

Students are most successful when they have academic skills equivalent to the 3rd grade reading/writing level or better, basic math skills and the ability to use a calculator. Students should have experience being independent in the community and be safe without direct supervision.

Living Resources resident instructors are available during evening hours to teach our students independent-living skills. Each student sets personal goals, and staff assists in meeting these goals. With the help of residence instructors, students acquire skills necessary for apartment living, such as cooking, cleaning and getting along with housemates.

Goals program graduates have achieved:

  • Money management
  • Grocery shopping and cooking
  • Nutrition and fitness
  • Communication and socialization
  • Household chores, including using a laundromat
  • Time management
  • Transportation and safety awareness

Students with a developmental disability are eligible to apply. However, while our program is designed for students with developmental disabilities, our program is not able to support all students. Call today to find out if the College Experience is right for you.

Students can apply either using their OPWDD Medicaid Waiver in conjunction with their SSI benefits or they can apply under private pay and fund their stay with tuition. Students do not have to be a NYS resident or have the Medicaid Waiver & SSI to apply under private pay.

Applicants can apply to the program prior to acceptance in the OPWDD waiver and or SSI benefits, however, if the applicant is accepted into the program, both the waiver and SSI must be obtained before starting in the fall.

If applying to the program under the NYS OPWDD Medicaid waiver, the program is fully paid and all expenses are covered by the NYS OPWDD Medicaid Waiver and Social Security Benefits (SSI).

If applying for the program under the tuition option, students pay yearly tuition which have monthly payment plans with the College. All costs associated with the program are covered in the tuition, with the exception of personal spending money. Call today to find out more information about private tuition and payment plan options!

We do not have a required specific age for student applications. Students readiness for this program varies from student to student. We suggest all students apply for the program one year prior to their desired start date, the program begins in August. Students do not need to finish High School prior to entering, but do need to be at least 18 if they are going to utilize school district funding for the tuition. We will work with families and school districts who are looking to receive funding from their district for tuition assistance.

Students should begin by attending a tour one year prior to applying. The application process takes approximately one year and works on rolling admissions. The program is competitive. To begin, contact our Senior Admissions Coordinator, Kristin McInerney.

The College Experience offers a housing option which is fully accessible! All students must be independent with their activities of daily living.