Can i go to college and recieve disability?

Question

i currently receive SSI or disability (not sure) for mental and emotional disabilities. i would like to go to college though and was wondering if they will stop my checks. i would not be working just a full time student. i will be eligible for a bunch of federal aid, scholarships and loans and thought that they might take my checks away due to this. the checks arent a lot but if they stop them i couldnt go to survive or go to college. does anybody know about this situation? thanks so much for your help.

Answer 1

The answer to this question may vary by state, so you'll want to check with your case worker type person. But where my sister lives, she was able to go to college full time while still receiving her disability checks, and SSI actually paid for her college classes. They considered it a way to prepare her for something that might allow her to either come off disability or else have to rely on it a bit less, so to them, it was a worthwhile investment.

I don't know if your state is the same. Check with your case worker.

Answer 2

Yes,

Also you would be entitled for disability accomudations

1. First, the college must verify the student's disability and the functional limitations that result.  Medical or psychological records are used in this process.  Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 Plans are not adequate to demonstrate the functional limitations of a disability.  In some cases, DSS may determine that the records provided are too old to be considered accurate.  In such instances, the DSS coordinator will recommend that the student obtain current assessment.  This must be done by the student and at the student's expense.

2. Next, the DSS coordinator and the student discuss the limitations of the disability and decide on the appropriate accommodations.  These accommodations, such as readers, sign language interpreters, etc., may be provided by DSS.  Others require the student to make the request of the instructor.

3. Contact between the DSS coordinator and the student is a crucial part of determining how the student will obtain accommodations.  Students usually remain with the same Coordinator throughout their college experience.

4. Often, DSS coordinators draft a letter for students to give to their instructors.  The letter introduces the student and informs the instructor that the student's disability has been verified by DSS.  It then discusses the functional limitations of the student's disability and recommends accommodations that are reasonable and which logically address those limitations.  Thus, the letter's purpose is to assist the student in requesting accommodations from instructors.

5. In the case of auxiliary aides and services, DSS maintains lists of qualified professionals and equipment.

6. Students are encouraged to experiment with a variety of auxiliary aides, services, and strategies to ensure maximum access to academic programs. All such services are authorized by the DSS coordinator, so it is imperative for students to talk with their coordinator if they feel their accommodations need some adjustment.  New or varying strategies may be necessary from one course to the next, depending on the nature of the material, presentation style, and the media used in the classroom.

7. DSS recommends that students identify and request accommodations with plenty of advance notice to ensure their accommodations will be there when they need them.  Ideally the student should contact their instructors prior to the first day of class to discuss test formats and the possibility of test accommodations. They will need to remind the instructor again at least a week before each exam, and then confirm the arrangements before the test day.