College Preparation

College preparation means preparing for a start in postsecondary education. If a transition goal includes attending college, it’s strongly recommended college readiness begins as early as the ninth grade. In some cases, students may begin earlier.

College readiness includes exploration in the following areas:

Type of post-secondary institutions to attend:
- Public or private 4- year university
- Public or private 2-year program
- Community college
- Technical colleges
Programs of study and degree offerings
Financial aid and tuition
Application process and requirements
Accessibility rights and options, such as assistive technology
Vocational rehabilitation services
Self-Advocacy

Know Your Rights

Another important reason for college preparation is the change in the student’s rights. K-12 special education rights and laws do not apply to postsecondary institutions. Knowing what rights and laws apply to postsecondary institutions will ensure a successful transition into and through college. Review the National Deaf Center's resource on legal support.

Helpful Resources

When planning for post-secondary education, search and ask for resources. You may also want to ask the local school district about available college readiness programs or courses.

Browse Helpful Resources

College for All Texans

A one-stop resource directory of post-secondary resources, information and guides for Texas students or individuals preparing to attend a Texas college. Includes tips for Middle School and High School students.

CollegeBoard: Career Finder

CollegeBoard provides a wealth of information such as free personality assessments, matching careers based on assessment results, information on colleges, majors, interviews, tips for applying to college and much more.

Funding for College

When preparing for college, it will be helpful for students and families to begin searching for funding sources. Funding sources have various eligibility requirements. Knowing about these earlier in the process will help guide decisions relating to courses, extracurricular activities, and personal goals. It is recommended to search for funding for both categories: students who are deaf or hard of hearing and students with disabilities.

Explore College Funding Resources

Available to Texas residents, the Certificate of Deafness for Tuition Waiver waives tuition and tuition-based fees at Texas state supported colleges, universities, and technical schools. Hearing levels and other eligibility requirements are posted on their website, along with the application form.

The Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VR services) outlines how students can apply for VR services and support post-secondary education expenses and accessibility needs.

College Scholarships share a list of scholarships geared towards students with varying hearing levels.

Choosing A College or University

As students prepare to apply to colleges, they should consider what accessibility options and resources are available to them. The National Deaf Center offers an interview checklist students can use when asking about accommodations and resources. A good fit is critical for a positive college experience.

Colleges and universities, whether public or private, do have a responsibility to comply with federal and state laws for providing access and opportunities to students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Some colleges and universities have dedicated staff and resources to support students of various hearing levels and communication preferences while others may provide disability services.

The following Texas colleges and universities have dedicated staff and resources specifically to support students.

There are universities that are specifically designed for deaf and hard of hearing individuals.