ACE-IT in College

“I enjoyed my time at VCU. I love being part of the school community. I was able to attend events. my professors and ed coaches were very helpful and supportive.”

-ACE-IT in College Alum

Eligibility requirements for ACE-IT students; applicants must:

• Be 18 years of age or older at the time of entering VCU.
• Have completed high school with an Applied Studies, Special Diploma, Certificate of Program Completion, or Modified Standard Diploma. (Students 18 and older who are still in high school receiving special education services can also apply.)
• Reside in the Greater Richmond during the program. Out-of-state and out-of-area students are welcome to apply, but students must live in the Greater Richmond area at the time of acceptance. Please note- on-campus dorm housing is not available. 
• Have a documented intellectual disability and be willing to provide documentation with the application packet.

 ACE-IT students should also: 

• Be prepared to financially meet the VCU tuition, university fees, and program fees to participate in the program.
• Have an interest in going to college as a non-degree-seeking student to expand career opportunities and earn a certificate awarded through VCU’s School of Education.
• Have experience in a work environment (school, volunteer, and/or paid work). 
• Have experience attending and participating in classes for up to 50-90 minutes.
• Have or be prepared to arrange reliable, timely transportation to and from campus for all classes and other required activities.
• Have experience independently using a cell phone and be willing to obtain their own cell phone before starting courses.
• Pass a criminal background check for internship and employment sites.

Admission Process

Below is a quick guide through the admission process:

• Application Release: Applications become available each fall, typically from October to February. Exact dates are included in the application packets.
• Submission: Submit your application along with all required documents during the open period.
• Eligibility Review: We'll review your application to ensure you meet our eligibility requirements.
• Day 1 Interviews: If selected, you'll be invited for a panel interview with our review team.
• Day 2 Campus Visit: Those who advance will participate in a college visit, where you'll get to observe a class, complete a work assessment, and tour the campus.
• Notification: We'll let you know if you've been accepted into the program.
• Enrollment: Once accepted, you'll work with ACE-IT staff to complete all the necessary steps to enroll at VCU.