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Washington State University
College of Education

WSU ROAR: FAQs

WSU ROAR — Frequently Asked Questions

These are the things you commonly ask about ROAR (Responsibility Opportunity Advocacy and Respect)

Who is eligible to apply for admission at the WSU ROAR PSE program?

    • Recommended between 18 and 26 years of age;
    • Has moderate limitations in adaptive behavior and intellectual functioning as expressed in social, practical, and conceptual adaptive skills according to the American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD, 2011);
    • Is seeking greater independence through enhancing social, communication, vocational and life skills in a post-secondary education program;
    • Is willing and able to live communally and independently with other WSU ROAR students in campus housing (apartments) during the duration of the program;
    • Has participated in a functional-based curriculum (K-12), received services through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), or completed an alternate assessment portfolio;
    • Has completed high school with or without a typical high school diploma;
    • Is not able to enroll in a “traditional” college or university program, even with accommodations;
    • Exhibits responsible and socially adaptive behavior without supervision;
    • Has sufficient emotional and independent ability to participate in all aspects of the WSU ROAR Program;
    • Demonstrates the ability to accept personal responsibility for actions and maintains respect for self and others;
    • Has no history of disruptive or aggressive behavior. Note: ROAR does not have the personnel necessary to manage behavioral issues.
    • Has the ability to independently self-administer and manage medication, specialized dietary and/or medical needs. Note: WSU ROAR personnel are not available to manage/administer medication and takes no responsibility for specialized diets or medical needs.
    • Demonstrates a 4th-grade reading level or higher. Students with lower reading levels may be considered for conditional admission;
    • Demonstrates basic mathematical understanding and the ability to use a calculator;
    • Is able to communicate with others (with or without assistive technology)
    • Can function independently and participate in semester-long workshops and seminars that last between 90 minutes and 2 hours;
    • Can handle and adapt to change; is not overly stressed when things change; and
    • Demonstrate the potential to successfully achieve personal and program goals within the context of the WSU ROAR Program’s context and setting.

     

    Please Note: The WSU ROAR Program does not have the personnel to supervise students with difficult and challenging behaviors or to dispense medications. The WSU ROAR program provides access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities.

How long is the program?

The WSU ROAR program is a 2-year program with Fall/Spring academic semesters following the WSU-Pullman Academic Calendar (e.g., August – December, and January -May).

What is included in the program?

  • Person-centered planning
  • WSU courses for audit
  • WSU ROAR programming (e.g., workshops, training, events, etc.)
  • Internships on and off campus
  • Facilitated Work-based Learning
  • Social experiences with same-aged peers
  • On-campus living

What types of courses are WSU ROAR student take/complete?

Audit courses: Any available WSU course that can be audited (non-credit), with instructor approval, focused on their personal and career interests (e.g., horticulture, early childhood, education, multimedia).

WSU ROAR programming: WSU ROAR workshops and specific training opportunities will include those specifically for their needs (life skills, health/sexual education, career planning, financial literacy/management).

What type of support do WSU ROAR students get during the day?

Peer allies: students in undergraduate and graduate programs (e.g., special education, teacher education, etc.) will engage with WSU ROAR students in various ways. These allies will be trained and given tasks in order to support and collaborate with WSU ROAR students by:

  1. Accompany them to class,
  2. Introduce them to other university peers/friends,
  3. Participate in university-sponsored events and gatherings, and
  4. Assist them to integrate into the university community through an inclusive model, among other social aspects of being on a college campus.

In addition, peer allies will have the opportunities to gain teaching and leadership experiences as part of education coursework. Peer mentors create inclusive experiences with positive opportunities for learning and personal growth.

Graduate students attending the WSU and specializing in areas such as special education, teaching, and learning, human development will engage with WSU ROAR students through teaching and coursework.

Finally, WSU ROAR personnel will provide any additional support such as navigation from class to class, obtaining transportation, everyday challenges/questions, or obtaining external support for them (e.g., meal plan changes, counseling services, replacement of student ID, etc.)

Where do WSU ROAR students live?

Students will have the opportunity to live in WSU residence halls their first year with other WSU ROAR students as roommates. Their second year students will move into on campus apartment such as the Chinook Apartments. For more information about the Apartment Complex and a virtual tour, please follow this link: https://housing.wsu.edu/apartments/chinook-village/

What would a daily schedule look like?

How can students prepare to be ready to start at WSU ROAR?

Independent living skills, academic skills, and vocational skills are key to be part of the WSU ROAR program. We understand that students may not have mastered all of these, but we hope for them to have worked on some, if not, all of the skills in the attachment below (click link to download PDF file).

Preparation Skills Document

How is this program model different from others?

The Cougar Experience: One of the most important aspects of the WSU ROAR program is providing a true Cougar Experience. A fully inclusive post-secondary experience means that students will have access and opportunities to experience being part of the Cougar family. We will provide opportunities for students to attend sporting events, enjoy time at the CUB, workout at the Chinook or Student Recreation Center, attend performing arts events, and enjoy Ferdinand’s ice cream. With the help of partners around the campus and the community, we plan to provide ROAR students access to the same experiences that all WSU students are able to obtain.

Would they receive a transcript? A certificate?

WSU students will receive a certificate of completion for the program. Note that this certificate is not a college diploma and it is not a professional diploma earned through Washington State University. Rather, it is a college recognized certificate of completion.

How much does the program cost?

ROAR generally attempts to keep our program cost in line with traditional WSU undergraduate tuition. ROAR does provide additional staffing and supports on top of the traditional supports provided by student’s services.

Fall 2023 Cost Sheet for Incoming First-year ROAR Students

 

Are ROAR students eligible for Financial Aid? Scholarships?

YES! We are now an approved Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP) and students that meet the requirements for this type of program under the US Department of Education guidelines can apply for specific Financial Aid. ROAR students are now also eligible for receiving the full Federal Pell Grant, with a qualifying EFC. There are also scholarship opportunities available.

For more information, please email us at coe.roar@wsu.edu or 509-335-4078.