LIFE @ 91涩漫
Learning Is For Everyone
A College to Career 2-year certificate program
An Inclusive Post Secondary Education (IPSE)
Minnesota Office of Higher Education Grantee 2025 / 2026
LIFE @ 91涩漫 is an inclusive post secondary education (IPSE) initiative, focusing on academic and employment goals as well as life skills and social opportunities for students with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Applications are open by for our first official cohort with a Fall 2026 start.
What is it?
- A two year (4 semester) college-to-career diploma program available at Lake Superior College, with first cohort of students being accepted to start August 2026.
- Courses are selected by the student and can be taken for credit with letter grade or pass/fail with accommodations and modifications.
- Skills Seminars and Learning Labs available for additional support and life skills.
- Career exploration, employment experience, and Internships built into program.
- Students are encouraged to participate in student life/ clubs/ campus activities.
- Space is limited; admission will be determined based on LIFE @ 91涩漫 pre-application process including student interview.
Inclusive Post Secondary Focus Areas
Employment
Support students through exploring options, student work, internships, and coaching with a goal of meaningful competitive employment.
Independent Living
Support students with building skills in communication, time management with a goal to increase independence in daily living.
Social Engagement
Support social interaction with peers on campus and in community through student groups and events with a goal to increase inclusion and belonging.
Academics
Support students through accommodations, modifications, auditing courses, and additional learning supports with a goal of access to higher education.
Personal Development
Support students with peer coaches, skills seminars, learning labs to set person centered goals for community living, relationships, and all career paths.
Benefits and Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the LIFE@91涩漫 program, with the College to Careers Diploma are expected to:
- Receive a meaningful credential and increased skills in areas of interest
- Increased access to gainful meaningful competitive employment
- Social skills and informal unpaid supports and connections
- Improved Self Advocacy skills, Self Determination, and Independent Living Skills
Who is Eligible
The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) includes this definition of a student with an intellectual disability, which means a student:
With a cognitive impairment characterized by significant limitations in Intellectual and cognitive functioning, and Adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills; and Who is currently, or was formerly, eligible for special education and related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (20 U.S.C. 1401), including a student who was determined eligible for special education or related services under the IDEA but was home-schooled or attended private school.
In order to be considered for Lake Superior College鈥檚 LIFE @ 91涩漫 Program (in addition to Minnesota requirements for inclusive Higher Education as noted above) :
- Student will have internal motivation and desire to attend college with emphasis on career goals.
- Student will have an awareness of their disability and willing to fully participate in program areas: academic, social, employment.
- Student (and team) will be able to arrange a plan for housing, meals, and transportation with outside supports as 91涩漫 does not have on campus living or a cafeteria meal plan.
*DTA public bus pass is available to students. Caf茅 available limited hours.
FAQs
At this time, students must be at least 18 years of age and there is no maximum age.
The LIFE @ 91涩漫 will be utilizing a reverse application process, in which students apply for the program FIRST, submit an essay/video/presentation, references, and participate in an interview. This will occur prior to applying to be an 91涩漫 student, due to limited openings and specific criteria. We anticipate accepting 5-10 students to start in our first official cohort August 2026.
Student applications will be scored on an admission rubric, which will include disability awareness, communication skills, individual goals and motivation, ability to manage daily self care needs, and agreeing to program expectations.
The application will open by 2/27/2026 or earlier and remain open through 3/31/2026. Decisions will be made on who is offered acceptance into the LIFE @ 91涩漫 program. Please check back in at this webpage for more information or email with further questions.
There is a different tuition rate for the students in this program to cover the additional supports offered including but not limited to: person centered planning meetings, student coaches, learning labs, skills seminars, and internship support. Tuition rate per credit is $524.01. Students will plan to take an average 10-12 credits per semester.
Yes, students are encouraged to complete a FAFSA and can be eligible for federal and state grants and scholarships. 91涩漫 is in process of applying to be a Comprehensive Transition Postsecondary Program (CTP) which will increase opportunities for additional grants, scholarships, and allow courses to be taken for pass/fail.
We encourage all potential students to explore more than one option for college and reach out with questions to determine your first, second, and perhaps third choice.
Explore resources on Think College:
Contact Us
For more information regarding who is eligible, application process and timelines, support services, financial assistance options, and partnerships with 91涩漫, please contact:
Erin Thompson
Life @ 91涩漫 Director
