Oklahoma offers comprehensive Inclusive Post Secondary Education
(IPSE) for students with intellectual and/or developmental
disabilities that want to attend college. These programs provide
support to advance skills in the areas of independent living,
social interaction, academics, and employment. Oklahoma has three
certificate programs for students with intellectual disability that
are designated by the U.S. Department of Education as comprehensive
transition and postsecondary education programs (CTP):
- RiverHawks Scholar Program at Northeastern State
University
- Sooner Works at the University of Oklahoma
- Opportunity Orange Scholars at Oklahoma State University
Additional information is provided in the Programs section below. The CTP designation
allows students to apply for federal financial aid. (See Financial Aid section below.) In
addition, the Neill-Wint Center for Neurodiversity at the
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is an inclusive program
for degree-seeking students with autism, and the Trailblazers
Thrive Together program at Oklahoma City Community College begins
in Fall 2026 as a non-residential option.
Please refer to the application guidelines for each program for
specific information.
Programs
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Northeastern State
University RiverHawks Scholar Program
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The Northeastern State University RiverHawks Scholar Program is
a four year, fully inclusive certificate program for students with
intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Students will take
two traditional university classes in areas of interest, with
appropriate supports, in addition to one specialized class each
semester. Students will have trained peer mentors and participate
in campus activities of their choice. Students will be placed in
on-campus and off-campus internships throughout their four years.
Upon completion of the program, these students receive social,
career and academic skills that can lead them to life success.
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 University of Oklahoma
Sooner Works |
The University of Oklahoma's Sooner Works is a comprehensive
integrated program for students with an intellectual or
developmental disability who desire a postsecondary experience on a
college campus. The program is a four-year certificate program
offering a college experience to prepare participants for
competitive employment and independent living through a combination
of coursework and career exploration. Students in Sooner Works live
on campus and take traditional university courses in conjunction
with courses specific to Sooner Works. In addition, students will
participate in internships and social organizations on the
beautiful University of Oklahoma campus.
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 Oklahoma State University
Opportunity Orange Scholars |
Opportunity Orange Scholars is designed for young adults between
the ages of 18 and 26 with intellectual disability and do not meet
OSU's degree-seeking admission criteria. Students admitted into the
Opportunity Orange Scholars program can pursue a two-year,
non-degree academic certificate in Career and Community Studies.
Students will be fully immersed in the OSU experience, as they live
and learn on campus.
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University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Neill-Wint Center for
Neurodiversity |
The Neill-Wint Center for Neurodiversity supports autistic
individuals during their college transition and postsecondary
journey at USAO. The collaborative model works with each student's
strengths to build self-advocacy and self-determination within
academic, social, and residential settings that adapt to their
needs. Flexible supports across these areas are designed to reduce
barriers as students define and pursue their personal and
professional goals.
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Oklahoma City Community College Trailblazers Thrive Together
(T3)
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Oklahoma City Community College
(OCCC) will launch Trailblazers Thrive Together (T3) in Fall 2026,
Oklahoma's first nonresidential Inclusive Postsecondary Education
(IPSE) program for students with intellectual and developmental
disabilities. T3 plans to pursue the Comprehensive Transition and
Postsecondary (CTP) designation. Its first pathway, Digital Cinema
Production (DCP), will help students develop skills in
storytelling, video editing, audio production, teamwork, and career
preparation while earning a certificate or micro-credential. |
Financial Aid
Students attending college should submit the FAFSA as soon as it
becomes available each year.
Students enrolled in the programs at NSU, OSU, and OU may
qualify for the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental
Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Work-Study programs, and the
Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant. Students in these programs may not
qualify for student loans. The
Oklahoma Access and Achievement Scholarship may also be
available to students enrolled in these programs.
Students attending the Science and Arts program may qualify for
all federal and state financial aid, including grants, work-study
and student loans.
Visit the Federal Student Aid website to learn more about
federal aid for students enrolled in Comprehensive Transition
Programs.
Visit the Oklahoma Inclusive Postsecondary Education Alliance's
Paying for College page
to find grant and scholarship resources.
Learn more about applying for and receiving financial aid on the
Financial Aid
Planning page.
What to Expect in College
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Higher education
will be different than high school. Some of the support systems
will be different and expectations may be higher. Students and
families can prepare for the changes to ensure a smooth transition!
Check out this resource from the Think College Transition
Project.
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Additional Resources