While the prospect of attending college and pursuing an individually chosen career path sounds wonderful and promising, many challenges arise along this path. College and university students with learning disabilities encounter challenges unique from average students, due to their individual condition.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES FACE WHILE IN COLLEGE?

The most significant challenge students with learning disabilities face in college, is prolonged study. Statistically, students with learning disabilities take longer to complete college coursework, creating additional challenges for the student over time.

While some students take longer to complete educational coursework as a direct result of a learning disability, others may have trouble completing work in time due to government restrictions on allowed credit loads, due to learning disability status. Additionally, should the student be required to work his or her way through school, balancing work and school can become an added challenge to completing school over a specified period of time.

Attending college for additional semesters, results in greater financial costs. Thus, many students with disabilities incur more debt completing school as a result of taking out more loans. A poll by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) indicates that about 50 per cent of college students with learning disabilities project graduating with over $20,000 in debt.

ARE THERE ANY SOLUTIONS FOR THESE PROBLEMS?

In order to avoid delaying education, choosing certain fields of study may be easier for the student with a disability to complete on time. These fields should be researched and determined on an individual basis, due to the uniqueness of a learning disability condition.

Students with learning disabilities may also qualify for additional financial aid. Searching online and applying for scholarship opportunities can help ease the financial burden of college. This site is a great resource to begin searching for such opportunities:

http://www.disabilityawards.ca/

Opportunities await any and all students that are willing to work for them! While the idea of completing college coursework may seem daunting, learning more about the countless resources available helps ease the burden and stress of completing college. Start researching today to find the best path to college success.

Sources:

http://accesswaterlooregion.ca/content/moduleId/NDJJGGun/articleId/KnXCeQNU.html

http://www.disabilityawards.ca/

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT

Would financial burden or strain inhibit you from pursuing a college degree?

How many college scholarships have you applied for already? Have you won any awards?

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