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By María Méndez, The Texas Tribune

“Texans have many educational credentials to choose from to begin a career. Here’s how to navigate them.” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.

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From certificates and degrees offered by colleges to industry-recognized certifications and government-issued licenses, specialized credentials can help workers gain skills and higher pay.

And a traditional four-year degree is not the only option. More than half of jobs in the state require a credential higher than a high school diploma but lower than a bachelor’s degree, according to a report from July 2022.

Today, there are various pathways for Texans to get a credential and enter all kinds of jobs, from electro-mechanic technicians to medical assistants, aircraft pilots and human services workers. This can be through a college, an apprenticeship or a job training program offered by public and private colleges, companies and other organizations.

Federal, state and other financial assistance may also be available to help cover part or all of the costs for these educational or work programs.

How do you know which is the right pathway for you? Here are factors and resources to consider while deciding on a college or career program.

What are your options?

All credentials are meant to show a person’s competence in an area or field, but they can vary in value and purpose. Here’s a breakdown of what each type of credential typically means.

The programs through which you can earn credentials also vary. Here are some examples.

Associate degrees, certificates and workforce training: Associate degrees are typically two-year degrees, and an associate degree of applied science means it focuses on technical education.

Workforce training programs and certificates typically require shorter paths to attainment than associate degrees, and a workforce training program can lead to a certificate from an education institution or an industry certification.

Adults in job training programs may also qualify for help covering the costs of the program if it is approved by the Texas Workforce Commission. Qualifying for this assistance depends on income or other eligibility requirements.

Associate degrees and certificates are available at community colleges across the state and through private, for-profit and nonprofit institutions.

For example, the public Texas State Technical College offers degrees and certificates in many high-demand job fields such as cybersecurity, which can lead to an average salary of about $83,340 in Texas. The number of such jobs is expected to grow by 20% by 2030.

Its 2023 cybersecurity programs range in length from four to 20 months long and in cost from about $3,000 to $16,000. They allow students to study online on their own schedule.

Workforce training programs and certificates are also available for students with disabilities. For example, the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University offer job training programs designed to accommodate students with disabilities and focus on jobs in caretaking or working with children. Learn more about programs for students with disabilities in our guide.

Apprenticeships: Apprenticeships give individuals the opportunity to learn and work toward a career, similar to an internship. But apprenticeships are typically longer than internships, include paid work and provide individuals with specialized skills and credentials. There are also registered apprenticeships recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor or a state agency that must also provide mentorship and a “portable, nationally-recognized credential within their industry.”

They can be offered by colleges such as Austin Community College, which has apprenticeship programs for technician jobs in the veterinary, health care and information technology fields. ACC also partners with companies that have apprenticeship programs such as Baylor Scott & White, Applied Materials, Samsung, Honda and Toyota.

For example, ACC works with Honda and Toyota to train auto technicians who can work on cars of those particular brands. The students can earn an associate degree in applied science and are sponsored by local dealerships, said Gretchen Riehl, associate vice chancellor for workforce education. And with Samsung, students interested in manufacturing get work experience while they pursue an associate degree in engineering technology, she said.

The programs require tuition, but financial assistance through grants or employer sponsorships may be available.

Apprenticeships can also be offered by companies on their own, unions, business associations, nonprofits and other organizations.

How to choose the best option for you

The payoff of a credential: Generally bachelor’s degrees have a greater payoff than certificates and associate degrees, but it depends on the area of study, according to research from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce. Most bachelor’s degrees can take four years to earn, sometimes making them more expensive than other credentials, such as certificates and associate degrees, that often require less time.

In highly technical and in-demand fields such as engineering and computer technology, people with two-year associate degrees can earn more than people with bachelor’s degrees in lower-paying industries, said Martin Van Der Werf, director of editorial and education policy for the center.

“We find that about 20% of people with associate’s degrees earn more than half of workers with bachelor’s degrees,” Van Der Werf said.

Workers with certificates in engineering technologies out-earned those with certificates in other fields, with median earnings from $75,001 to $150,000. Workers with certificates in construction trades and other “blue-collar fields” also had median earnings as high as those with bachelor’s degrees in liberal arts and humanities — $40,001-$50,000.

But it’s also important to consider the shelf life of a credential, Van Der Werf said. A bachelor’s degree is seen as “more timeless.” Associate degrees and certifications often capture what skills are in demand at the moment, but, in rapidly changing fields, some shorter credentials may require more updating.

“In some cases, laws might change, regulatory things might change, and so the certification or the certificate that you’re earning, might be out of date three years from now,” he said.

You can try to gauge the relevance of a credential by talking to people in the industry, looking at the descriptions and requirements in related jobs and asking the leaders of a program how they keep up with the industry, Van Der Werf said.

Costs: Credentials like associate degrees generally cost less than a bachelor’s degree because they require fewer courses. But credential costs can depend on the program and financial assistance available.

For-profit colleges may market themselves for quick-turn programs, but programs at community and public colleges are usually more affordable, Van Der Werf said.

You may also be able to earn a credential while working in a field through an apprenticeship program, but apprenticeship programs can be harder to find in the U.S. and may have less flexibility or more requirements than a traditional college program, Van Der Werf said.

Your goals and needs: It’s helpful to see what jobs and credentials are in demand, but you should also consider your personal plans.

“People should really pursue what they’re passionate about,” Van Der Werf said. “When you’re given a choice between different career paths and seemingly similar sounding credentials, it pays to do some research.”

Van Der Werf said in such cases people should consider which credential or program is getting more traction in an industry. Looking at job demand by geography and time frame can also be helpful. For example, if you’re looking to settle down, you probably want a credential with more demand in the long run and in a particular area.

If you’d like to move, you may gain more from a credential that would also be in demand elsewhere. And if you’re willing to switch careers later on, you could still benefit from pursuing a career in a high-paying field, such as in oil fields, that may see less demand in the future, Van Der Werf said.

And exploring programs that offer credits or pathways for other degrees or credentials could help you more easily move up to a higher position or related field down the road.

How to get financial help

If you don’t have the resources to pay for college or a job training program, you may be able to get financial assistance.

The federal government provides financial aid for U.S. citizens with financial need pursuing an eligible degree program and, in some cases, certificates. This can include grants, which you usually do not have to pay back, work-study jobs and student loans. Here’s more information about requirements and the different types of financial aid. To apply, you must fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, form. For certificates, look at program details or ask program administrators if it is eligible for federal financial aid.

Texas also provides financial assistance for college through state grants and higher education loans. Undocumented immigrants or DACA recipients who graduated from a Texas high school and lived in the state for at least three years may qualify for in-state tuition and state aid. To apply, they must fill out a Texas Application for State Financial Aid, or TASFA, form.

There are also tuition waivers, tuition rebates, tax credits, and work-study and loan forgiveness programs (for teachers and public service employees) that may help qualifying individuals with college costs. Here’s more information on these forms of financial assistance from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, which also offers low-interest loans for students completing degrees or certificates in certain high-demand job fields. Colleges and nonprofits may also have scholarships for different programs and qualifying students.

Financial assistance may also be available for certificates and job training programs approved by the Texas Workforce Commission, including programs designed to support people with disabilities.

“It sounds complicated and can be overwhelming. But there is money out there for students. There are a lot of opportunities, regardless of their age, regardless of the programs,” said Jaime Ayala, the college and career manager for Foundation Communities’ College Hub.

The College Hub helps Texans across the state navigate and apply for college and financial aid. Students may need to apply for financial aid as early as a year before beginning a program, so it’s important to begin the process early.

Historically, people could begin applying for state and federal financial aid in October, and the state’s priority deadline was Jan. 15. This year, the release of the FAFSA application has been delayed until December because of changes to streamline the form, so people won’t be able to apply for federal financial aid for the 2024-2025 academic year until then. But information and a preview of the changes to the form are expected to be shared ahead of time.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is looking at aligning the release of the TASFA with the new FAFSA timeline for students, according to an agency spokesperson. More information is expected to come after the board’s July quarterly meeting. So people applying to college and in need of financial aid, should also look out for possible changes to priority deadlines from the state and colleges. You can still apply for financial aid after the priority deadline, but more state financial aid may be available the earlier you apply.

People applying for both state and federal financial aid usually only need to submit the FAFSA form. To prepare for the rollout of the new FAFSA, Ayala said students and adults in need of financial aid should make sure they have a Federal Student Aid ID, which is needed to quickly apply and view their FAFSA information online, along with a secure password. Their account should also be tied to an email and phone number they can later access in case they need to reset their password. It’s also important for people to have their 2022 tax transcripts ready to apply as soon as possible, Ayala said. Students still claimed by their parents should also ensure their parents have tax documents and FSA IDs ready, he said.

You can find more information about the College Hub or make an appointment online to get help here.

Where to start looking

Still not sure about what career or industry you would like to pursue? You can learn and explore more through the following websites:

• My Next Move
• My Texas Future

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s website, My Texas Future has several resources to explore college and career options and apply for college programs in Texas, including connections with enrollment advisers. The board’s new website Tomorrow Ready Texas also provides tailored action plans for teens in grades 8-12 and their parents to prepare for college.

Texans interested in exploring certificates, associate degrees or another college degree can look at median wages by credential and institution through the Texas CREWS website in addition to federal wage and job demand data. The Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce also reports data about the value of certificates and associate degrees.

You can search for apprenticeships through a college, a local job center such as Workforce Solutions or the Department of Labor’s website apprenticeship.gov.

You can also contact your local Workforce Solutions office to explore other job training programs and financial assistance. The Texas Workforce Commission has a list of approved job training providers and programs and more information on its resources. It also has directories of public community colleges and licensed private career schools to view options across the state.

You can also look at privately issued credentials in Texas through this database from Texas 2036, a data and research group, and the nonprofit Credential Engine.

Other resources

The following nonprofit organizations also help qualifying Texans pay for degrees or certifications:

• Capital IDEA in Austin
• Project QUEST in San Antonio
• Capital IDEA Houston
• Project ARRIBA in El Paso
• VIDA in the Rio Grande Valley

This reporting was supported by the Higher Ed Media Fellowship, which is run by the Institute for Citizens and Scholars and funded by the ECMC Foundation.

Disclosure: Texas 2036, Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Austin have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

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This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/27/texas-guide-education-credentials/.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.

Disability Pride Month is not only a time for celebration and recognition of the achievements and contributions of individuals with disabilities, but also an opportunity to reflect on the historical struggles and societal exclusion faced by this community. Throughout history, the disability community has been subjected to prejudice, discrimination, and systemic barriers that have limited their participation in social, cultural, and personal spheres. Understanding this history of exclusion is an important part of our journey towards a more inclusive and equitable society.

Historical Exclusion and Discrimination: The exclusion of people with disabilities is deeply rooted in history. The eugenics movement gained popularity in the late 1800s to early 1900s, and promoted the forced sterilization of people determined to have “undesirable” traits–largely, people with disabilities. In 1907, Indiana passed the first eugenics law that made sterilization mandatory for “idiots” and “imbeciles” in state custody. Several other states followed suit with similar laws, even reaching so far as the Supreme Court (Buck v. Bell), allowing unethical sterilization practices to continue. Suprisingly, this Supreme Court ruling has never been overturned, and laws allowing forced sterilization still exist in 31 states plus Washington, D.C.

Segregation and institutionalization were also prevalent. In the past, individuals with disabilities were often confined to asylums, jailed, and otherwise separated from society. This lead to neglect, abuse, and isolation from mainstream society.

Challenging the Status Quo: In recent years, significant strides have been made towards breaking down these barriers and promoting inclusivity. Disability rights movements and advocacy efforts have raised awareness about the importance of equal rights, access to education, employment, and social participation for disabled individuals. Legislation, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has played a pivotal role in combating discrimination and improving accessibility.

However, the work is far from complete. Broader issues such as social exclusion, inaccessible infrastructure, unequal employment opportunities, and limited disability representation in the media continue to present barriers to equitable inclusion. It is our collective responsibility to address these challenges and fosters a society that embraces the diversity, societal contributions, and human rights of people with disabilities.

During Disability Pride Month, we reflect on the historical exclusion and discrimination faced by the disability community. By understanding this past, we can fuel our commitment to a brighter future– breaking down barriers, promoting inclusivity, and advocating for equal rights and opportunities. We celebrate the resilience and achievements of the disbaility community while reaffirming our dedication to building a more inclusive society that values the contributions and potential of every individual, regardless of their abilities. Together, we can create a world where disability pride is celebrated every day.

By María Méndez, The Texas Tribune

“As demand for skilled workers rises in Texas, work-based educational programs see a resurgence” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.

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A warehouse manager in Waco went from earning about $9 an hour to earning more than $140,000 a year, thanks to an associate degree.

In College Station, a student with a developmental disability worked at an animal hospital through a college program tailored to her needs.

And in Austin, a call center worker was paid by her employer to go to college so she could be promoted to a medical assistant position.

In these instances, the students pursued associate degrees, alternative college programs and industry certifications that offer Texans the chance to expand their career options and their salary potential in a state hungry for more qualified workers.

[Texans have many educational credentials to choose from to begin a career. Here’s how to navigate them.]

More than half of jobs in the state require a credential higher than a high school diploma but lower than a bachelor’s degree, according to a report from July 2022. It’s one reason the state is aiming for 60% of Texans ages 25 to 64 to have a certificate or degree by 2030. But just 45% of Texans have the right training for these middle-skilled jobs.

These college and career programs are far more varied than they used to be. Today, Texans across the state are learning everything from computer-aided design and drafting to piloting aircraft through associate degree or certificate programs — and they’ll likely make more money because of it.

Career and technical education

[Texas colleges provide job training for students with disabilities. Here’s how to access it.]

Initiatives helping students to enter the workforce quickly aren’t new, but there is a new focus on equity. To better serve students, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, higher education leaders are moving to create shorter or earlier career and technical education opportunities that meet industry standards while offering high school and college students with pathways to bachelor’s and advanced degrees.

This is a marked difference from the history of vocational programs, in which students of color and women were often placed into high school job training classes that offered no pathway to college.

A movement to help all students go to college emerged in the 1990s, said Amanda Bergson-Shilcock, a senior fellow at the National Skills Coalition, a policy and advocacy organization. But with increasing awareness of student debt in the 2000s and greater interest among students and employers in technical education, vocational programs reemerged and evolved into what is now known as career and technical education.

The rise of these programs partially stems from industries and jobs increasingly requiring specialized licenses or credentials, even if it’s not a college degree. For students, these programs are attractive because they allow them to get hands-on practice and, in some cases, paid work experience as they work toward a credential. This can be particularly beneficial for working adults or parents with less time and resources to seek a four-year degree, Bergson-Shilcock said.

Bachelor’s and more advanced degrees generally have a greater financial payoff, but people with two-year associate degrees and certificates in highly technical and in-demand fields, such as engineering technologies, can earn more than people with bachelor’s degrees in some lower-paying industries.

Texas has long invested in work-based education, but “that ramped up over the last couple of legislative sessions as the value of things like apprenticeships and other work-based learning opportunities became clear,” said Renzo Soto, a higher education policy adviser for Texas 2036, a nonprofit research organization.

Over the last decade, state lawmakers have largely emphasized career preparation in public schools and aligning school curriculum with college tracks and the workforce needs in each region of the state, Soto said.

During the regular legislative session, Texas lawmakers passed legislation to fund community colleges based on whether their students leave with a degree or credential that gets them a well-paying job or into a four-year institution. Right now, Texas State Technical College is the only Texas college that the state specifically funds based on the employment and earnings of its students and graduates, rather than based on the number of hours they are taught. The funding change is expected to go into effect in September.

Technical colleges and careers

In a room filled with rows of yellow robotic arms, students at TSTC’s Waco campus used computers to try to command the arms to read whether a black cutout in front of it was the right size and shape.

Manufacturers use such a process to ensure that the right bolt, screw or item is used to make a product. But this isn’t a factory. It’s a step toward high-paying jobs in manufacturing, production or warehouse operations.

More than two decades ago, Corey Mayo was a warehouse manager, earning about $9 an hour to support his wife and daughter.

“It just wasn’t cutting it for baby formula, diapers, food,” said Mayo, now 48.

So he enrolled at Texas State Technical College to study instrumentation and completed an associate degree in robotics. After more than a decade in the industry, traveling to manufacturing facilities to implement automated operations, he said he earned roughly $140,000 a year because of his ability to “fix anything in a short amount of time.”

“It’s because of everything that I learned here,” he said.

Now, as an instructor of robotics technology at TSTC, he’s helping other students enter a job that’s expected to grow by 12% in Texas while declining nationally.

And Mayo’s 23-year-old son, Dalton, is following in his footsteps and studying robotics technology. He too would like to enter a high-paying field.

First: Justin Meckle, a fourth-semester robotics student at Texas State Technical College in Waco, works on a troubleshooting assignment during class on Oct. 24, 2022. Second: A sign for the college at the entrance of Texas State Technical College in Waco. Last: Jule Preiser, a fourth-semester robotics student, works on an assignment. Credit: Evan L’Roy/The Texas Tribune

Stories like theirs are not uncommon at the college, which hires instructors from its graduate pool and sees many families return to the college for its hands-on and fast-tracked programs. The 20-month-long program for an associate degree of applied science in robotics and industrial controls technology costs around $11,640, and a 16-month certificate costs $6,984, according to TSTC. The average wage for an electro-mechanic or robotics technician is about $50,630 in Texas and $60,570 in the U.S., according to federal data.

The college also offers programs for various job fields expected to continue growing, such as cybersecurity and aircraft pilot training.

The aircraft pilot training program is one of the college’s more expensive programs, but pilot pay is on the higher end with average salaries in Texas of more than $180,060 for airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers and $108,120 for commercial pilots. Tuition and fees for an associate degree in the program are $11,160, but the flight fees bring up the total to an estimated $89,260. Jobs are expected to grow by 21% for commercial pilots and by 14% for airline pilots and engineers in Texas.

The college also hires some of its graduates to serve as certified flight instructors while they work toward the required hours and ratings needed to work as a pilot in other roles.

“I’m already making back money and I’m already paying off my loans,” said Elaine Polster, a 22-year-old recent graduate who is now a certified flight instructor for the college. “If I went to a four-year school, it would be two more years until I did that.”

Associate degrees in applied science, which have a focus on technical education, and certificates are also available at community colleges across the state and through private, for-profit and nonprofit institutions. Examples of other public colleges include Alamo Colleges, Blinn College, San Jacinto College and Dallas College. You can find private technical schools through the Texas Workforce Commission’s directory. Financial aid, scholarships or other help may also be available for associate degrees and qualifying certificates.

You can also read more in our guide to college programs and financial aid.

First: A flight instructor speaks about the benefit of Redbird flight simulations for students at Texas State Technical College in Waco. Second: Students training to become pilots sit in class and watch a video about runway terminology. Last: The interior of a Redbird flight simulator. Credit: Evan L’Roy/The Texas Tribune

Apprenticeships

On a Tuesday morning in October, Nora Hernandez Mondragon practiced carefully placing patches on the chest, arms and legs of a classmate lying in a medical examination bed.

The patches, which connect to a tangle of 10 wires, require precise placement to record the heart’s electrical activity in an electrocardiogram, or EKG, to detect irregular heart rhythms and heart attacks.

It’s one of the many things she learned at the Austin Community College’s San Gabriel Campus in Leander over nine weeks. She also learned basic medical terminology and anatomy; how to check a patient’s blood pressure and vital signs; how to administer medicines, including through an injection; and how to draw blood — all without paying a dime.

“It’s the perfect situation,” said Hernandez Mondragon, a 34-year-old Austin resident who worked at a call center for Baylor Scott & White Health. “I get to go learn something and develop myself and still be making income for my family.”

First: Mallory French examines the results of an EKG that she performed at Austin Community College’s Leander Campus on Oct. 4. Second: Jennifer Waldron, a continuing education instructor at Austin Community College, shows students where to put the electrodes when doing an EKG. Last: French connects a lead wire to an electrode on Violet Fields’ leg while performing an EKG. Credit: Jack Myer for The Texas Tribune

That’s because Hernandez Mondragon and her five classmates are part of a Baylor Scott & White apprenticeship. Through the program, employees can take an accelerated course at ACC and get hands-on experience to become medical assistants.

“Me being a mom, I would love to go to school but I don’t have the time or the money,” said Hernandez Mondragon, who is raising four children.

After completing the course and 160 hours of work in a clinical setting, Hernandez Mondragon and her classmates will work as medical assistants at Baylor Scott & White Health’s local clinics or hospitals for at least two years. The new job also comes with a pay raise, Hernandez Mondragon said.

Though this program serves Baylor Scott & White employees specifically, it’s one of a number of apprenticeships at ACC and across Texas.

In apprenticeships, individuals get the opportunity to learn and work toward a career, similar to an internship. But apprenticeships are typically longer than internships, include paid work and provide individuals with specialized skills and credentials.

Apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeship training programs can be offered by companies on their own, unions, trade associations, nonprofits and other organizations. Many apprenticeships focus on trades, but a number of programs are opening more opportunities in growing job fields like health care and tech.

Texans interested in an apprenticeship can look for one through a college, a local job center such as Workforce Solutions or the U.S. Department of Labor’s website, apprenticeship.gov.

Workforce training programs

“I’m locking the chair,” 22-year-old Sydney Hodge said as she practiced locking a wheelchair in place at the front of the classroom. Joe Tate, the class instructor, was sitting in the chair.

“Good. Remember, guys, communicate. The more communication, the better,” he told the handful of other students watching.

Then, Hodge helped Tate get out of the wheelchair, holding a gait belt around his upper waist and letting him place his hands on her shoulders for support as he slowly rose. The rest of the class clapped.

Hodge and her classmates were reviewing how to work as personal care attendants. Earlier that day, they discussed different types of bedpans and the organizations that support people with disabilities.

The class is part of the E4Texas program at the University of Texas at Austin. It prepares students for jobs as personal care attendants, child care workers or teaching assistants. The program is designed to be accessible to people with disabilities, but is also open to people without a disability.

The students also live on campus and get support from program staff to live independently and participate in the community, said Tate, E4’s program manager.

During the three-semester program, students take specialized classes at UT-Austin’s campus, audit other UT courses, volunteer and get work experience. Hodge and her classmate Ayala Montgomery, for example, have been helping care for elderly people as volunteers at AGE of Central Texas.

At the end, students receive a certificate of completion and can get job certifications, but they do not get college credits.

The program also teaches students to advocate for themselves and others. That’s one of the things that drew Montgomery.

“I also wanted to help people that actually struggle with disabilities, like to let them know that ‘you’re not alone, and there’s many people just like you that struggle with the same things day to day,’” said Montgomery, a 20-year-old from Dallas. “I wanted to leave an impact.”

There are other job preparation programs, including for people with disabilities. And if a program is approved by the Texas Workforce Commission, qualifying students may get help covering the program costs.

Texans interested in exploring job preparation programs can learn more and view approved program providers through the Texas Workforce Commission or reach out to local Workforce Solutions centers.

College for students with developmental disabilities

After sending a quick email, Julia Gault turned to work on a PowerPoint presentation she was making for her class. She pointed to images of animals and skateboards on the slides.

“So this is like when I graduate, I want to work at a vet clinic,” she said. “I skateboard, so I put my skateboards.”

Sitting next to Gault during a study hall period at Texas A&M University, Callie Colgrove said, “I want to own my own bakery,” showing off her own PowerPoint. She’s Gault’s best friend and roommate.

The two met through Aggie ACHIEVE, the university’s program designed for students with intellectual disabilities or autism to live independently, experience college and prepare for jobs.

Through the interdisciplinary program, students can take select noncredit courses and physical education courses and participate in student life at A&M. The students have access to graduate assistants who help them navigate classes and live on their own.

Initially, students live on campus. They get a residential mentor who spends five to nine hours a week with them during their freshman year, said Heather Dulas, the program director. As juniors, the students move off campus and can live on their own, though many have chosen to live together as roommates or in the same apartment complex. At the end, students receive a certificate from the university.

The transition was an adjustment for Gault, like for any college student, but through Aggie ACHIEVE she learned how to navigate her schedule and chores, like doing her laundry. Now, she works at an animal hospital, she said, and Colgrove works in the kitchen of a hotel and has baked chocolate pies.

First: Effrosyni Chatzistogianni, an academic graduate assistant with the Aggie ACHIEVE program, helps Matthew Philips, a junior in the program, during office hours at Texas A&M University in College Station on Nov. 15, 2022. Second: Students walk to class on the Texas A&M campus. Last: A list of courses available to students in the Aggie ACHIEVE program. Credit: Evan L’Roy/The Texas Tribune

Colleges and universities haven’t always accepted or accommodated students with disabilities, particularly those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, but there are now more options for these students.

Aggie ACHIEVE is one of four comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs in Texas. That designation allows students with intellectual disabilities to receive federal financial aid and learn or work along with students without disabilities. Houston Community College, Texas A&M University-San Antonio and the University of North Texas also have comprehensive transition programs.

These programs range in length, admission and costs. For example, Texas A&M’s program admits about 10 students per year and costs over $30,000 per year because of on-campus housing required for the first two years, program fees and a lack of state aid for the non-degree-seeking students.

There are also other programs and options for students with disabilities to audit courses at public or private colleges, and scholarships or other assistance may be available to help students cover costs. You can read more in our guide to college and job training programs for students with disabilities.

This reporting was supported by the Higher Ed Media Fellowship, which is run by the Institute for Citizens and Scholars and funded by the ECMC Foundation.

Disclosure: Baylor Scott & White Health, Houston Community College, San Jacinto College, Texas 2036, Texas A&M University, University of Texas at Austin and University of North Texas have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

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This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/27/texas-career-technical-education/.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.