College Planning Guide for Students With Learning Disabilities

Learning disabilities present unique challenges when you’re planning to attend college. Many parents and students find it difficult to get information about college disability services. For these students, getting the right information and support to excel in college requires a persistent strategy.

In this extensive planning guide, we give you the tools you need to successfully understand the college environment for students with learning disabilities as well as your rights and potential accommodations. Whether it’s in-person or online college you’re pursuing, we’ll show you where to find the best resources to achieve your goals.

Common Learning Disabilities Among College Students

Many learning disabilities can be challenging in a college environment. Typically, students will work closely with college personnel to navigate their specific conditions. Here are some of the most common learning disabilities that often require accommodations.

• ADHD. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a brain development disorder that affects focusing and impulse control. Students with ADHD often struggle with executive deficit disorder as well, which can affect problem-solving, multitasking, and time-management skills.

• Auditory processing disorder. Also known as central auditory processing disorder, this difficulty hearing and understanding information can make it more difficult for students to learn from lectures or follow along with group discussions.

• Dyscalculia. Students with dyscalculia have trouble understanding numbers, math concepts, and calculations. This can also make it more difficult for students to budget their incomes or understand how tuition and student loans work.

• Dyslexia. This is a learning disability in which people have trouble recognizing words accurately and may also find reading comprehension difficult. Many courses require students to read dense textbooks and retain the material even if it’s not covered in class.

• Dysgraphia. Dysgraphia is a neurological disorder that makes it difficult to write thoughts in a coherent manner. This can make papers, discussion posts, and note-taking more challenging.

• Visual processing disorder. Processing visual information is challenging, and drawing, copying, or distinguishing differences in letters or shapes is often difficult. Visual processing disorder can affect everything from reading comprehension to following along with what the instructor writes on the board.

Challenges Students With Learning Disabilities Face

College students with a learning disability face various challenges at school, but resources and support are available to help them overcome these obstacles.

Being open about their disabilities

For some, even admitting they have a learning disability is a challenge to overcome. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, only 37% of college students told their school that they had a learning disability. However, 65% did not say they have a learning disability because they thought they no longer had one, even though people generally don’t stop having learning disabilities.

This can be a significant barrier to success because only a portion of college students with a learning disability are getting the accommodations they need. Reasons why students don’t disclose they have a learning disability include:

• Thinking they’ll be perceived as either lazy or unintelligent.
• Not wanting to be identified as someone who needs help due to their learning disability.
• Not knowing how important accommodations may be for their success in college.
• Not realizing they have a learning disability until they are diagnosed in college.

Not being able to transfer IEPs to the college environment

Another potential reason students with a learning disability may not seek accommodations could be because their individualized education plans (IEPs) do not transfer from high school to college. This puts the impetus of petitioning for accommodations solely on the student’s plate.

However, you may be able to transfer some of the accommodations written into your IEP through the Disabled Student Programs & Services (DSPS) office or equivalent department at your college. DSPS will review your IEP and see what accommodations are available at the college level that may benefit the student.

Students may also be able to transfer accommodations from a 504 plan to college. But you should remember that colleges are not obligated to transfer all of the accommodations included in an IEP or 504 plan. DSPS offices differ from college to college — some colleges offer excellent support, while others do not.

Learning how to become their own advocate

Students with learning disabilities who have graduated from high school may be used to having a parent or teacher advocate for them, but in college, it’s all on them. They must learn how to be proactive in seeking out resources, requesting accommodations, and problem-solving when something isn’t working. This can be a big change for students on top of the other adjustments, such as living away from home or navigating college social groups.

Students must learn that it’s okay to speak up and ask for what they need or to do things differently than others around them if that’s what it takes to succeed. Ultimately, this can be a time of huge growth and gaining more confidence in themselves and who they are with and outside of their disability.

Benefits of Online College for Students With Learning Disabilities

Attending an online college offers many benefits to students with learning disabilities who want the opportunity to achieve college success:

• The asynchronous nature of online learning programs. Because the class doesn’t meet in real time, someone managing a learning disability has the time to process the information they want to understand. Using email allows for a longer response time, and when the pressure of real-time is removed, often a student can fully participate with the rest of their class.
• Easier access to assistive technology. Another advantage of learning online is the opportunity to use assistive technology to convert written words into an audio format or to review lessons multiple times versus listening once in a lecture setting.
• More accessible environment. Working in a comfortable environment and scheduling your time to work on the class allows you to navigate the coursework flow at a pace that works for you.

Know Your Rights

As a student with learning disabilities, you have rights that can protect you. The American Disabilities Act of 1990 was a major step forward in protecting the civil rights of people with disabilities because it made discrimination against people with disabilities illegal. The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 expanded the definition of what qualifies as a disability to include physical or mental impairments that limit “life activities” like reading and learning.

Students with learning disabilities are also protected by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which covers people with “hidden disabilities” that are not readily apparent to others. According to this law, programs that receive federal funding or are conducted by a federal agency must not discriminate against qualified students with disabilities.

If you find that you have been discriminated against due to your disability and you can’t resolve it with your college, you can file an ADA complaint that will be reviewed by the U.S. Department of Justice. It’s also possible to file a discrimination complaint with the Office of Civil Rights (OCR).

How to Request Accommodations

Asking for the accommodations you’ll need is the first step when working with your new college. If they understand how to help you, you’ll be better prepared to succeed.

Contact the Disabled Student Programs & Services Office

Most colleges have a DSPS office. This is where you can discuss your accommodation needs to help you succeed in a college environment. These can include extended time for examinations, a quiet room for test taking, or the use of a reader (someone who can read test questions to the student).

You may also need a laptop or other assistive technology devices — some professors don’t allow students to use a laptop in class, but if laptop usage is written into the IEP or 504 plan and the DSPS office allows it, the professor should make an exception.

Make a formal request for accommodations

We created a sample request for accommodations form so you can see what they usually look like. Along with your request form, include related documentation, such as any IEP and other information that will give the disability services office a complete understanding of your situation. Most colleges require an IEP, a 504 plan, a letter from a physician with a diagnosis of a learning disability, and/or an assessment from a psychologist with a diagnosis of the disability.

Get community support

Beyond the college campus, many communities offer disability resource centers devoted to helping individuals with disabilities. Some services could include transportation assistance, referrals to community programs, and help getting assistive technology.

Common Assistive Apps for Students With Learning Disabilities

Assistive apps serve as tools to help navigate your learning disability by helping with concentration, speech, and tasks. Our top picks of the best assistive apps to help manage your learning disability are listed below.

The following assistive apps are not replacements for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical provider before making any health-related decisions.

Scholarships and Financial Resources for Students With Learning Disabilities

Besides the challenges students face in managing their learning disability, added financial expenses can be a consideration. The scholarships featured below are available specifically to students with learning disabilities.

• Anne Ford Scholarship. This $10,000 scholarship is granted over four years to high school graduates pursuing a bachelor’s degree. The Anne Ford Scholarship is awarded to students who have financial need, have a learning disability or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD, and want to contribute positively to their community. Deadline: April

• Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship. This $5,000 scholarship is awarded over a two-year period to a graduating high school student who enrolls in a two-year community, vocational, or technical college. Applicants must show financial need, have a learning disability or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD, and express how their future career will impact their community. Deadline: April 

• Joseph James Morelli Legacy Foundation. These scholarships range from $500 to $2,500 and can be used for tuition, books, and other assistive resources. Students must have a reading or language disability similar to dyslexia. Students must be planning to attend an accredited undergraduate, technical, or community college and to pursue a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) degree. Deadline: February

• Alpha One Powering Education Scholarship. This scholarship is for Maine high school graduates with a documented disability and plan to pursue undergraduate or graduate study. Award payments are made to students who have maintained at least a 2.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale after the first term is completed. Your high school transcript, letters of recommendation, and a personal essay about your disability experience are required to apply. Deadline: April
• INCIGHT Scholarship. Students must be current California, Oregon, or Washington residents to apply for the $500 renewable award. Applicants should be attending a university, community college, or vocational school. Community involvement is emphasized, with recipients agreeing to complete 30 hours of community service or volunteer at an INCIGHT event. Deadline: April 

Additional Resources

Many organizations that focus on learning disabilities advocate for and provide support to give college students additional help. We have listed some of the largest organizations here as additional resources to use both during your college years and after graduation.

Frequently Asked Questions About College Planning for Students With Learning Disabilities Answered by an Expert

Raja Marhaba is the Founder & CEO of The Jonathan Foundation for Children With Learning Disabilities. She also has extensive personal experience advocating for students with learning disabilities, as she had to fight the second-largest school district in the country to get proper accommodations for her sons. Below, she provides answers to some of our most commonly asked questions.