Alexis Petri is fundraising
Help Propel Students Afford College
You can "propel" the future of college students with intellectual developmental disabilities . UMKC's Propel students want what every college student wants - learn from classes, prepare for employment, make friends, gain confidence, and become independent. Intellectual disabilities encompass a variety of different diagnoses from Autism Spectrum Disorder to Down syndrome. Because many of the Propel students come from low-income backgrounds, and they have disabilities, they have additional challenges.
EXCEL: Expanding College for Exceptional Learners is raising money on behalf of a unique undergraduate certificate program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City called Propel. Propel is a comprehensive college experience for young adults with intellectual developmental disabilities.
Students enrolled in Propel attend UMKC for two years, full-time (12 credit hours/semester; fall and spring semesters). Propel is inclusive: students with intellectual developmental disabilities engage in college classes with students without intellectual disabilities. In addition to full-time coursework, students have the option of participating in other student activities such as student organizations and service-learning/community engagement.
Over half of Propel's incoming students have an immediate need. Federal financial aid covers most of the tuition and fees for Propel, but not textbooks and supplies and many students are experiencing food insecurity.
A contribution of any amount is appreciated and will help! For example, Donate $20 and you provide 4 meals to a student. Donate $50 and you cover the cost of a student's first semester textbooks.
EXCEL will give donated money directly to UMKC, where the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will make awards based on need.
Families with children with intellectual disabilities have not typically had programs like Propel available. Because this is the first year of Propel, families have not had time to plan or save for college for their child with an intellectual developmental disability. One other important detail - the families of the Propel students cannot take out educational loans. They must only rely on Federal Financial Aid and private pay. Not having access to student loans is not something that Propel or UMKC can change - this is financial aid policy.
Going to college makes a huge difference in people's lives. Propel students need the advantages that college experiences give students - confidence, employment ready, networking, friendship, and independence. Please help Propel students with their first-year college tuition.
The Propel team, the students, and the families will be thankful for this assistance. As a donor, in addition to our formal thank you and recognition, if you would like, Propel will add you to The Propeller, an online newsletter. Through The Propeller you will get to know the students and can follow their progress.
Propel was on the news!
Fox 4 News
KSHB 41 News
About EXCEL:
Heading to college is a milestone any parent and student would celebrate. The excitement of choosing an area of study, making lifelong friends and enjoying the traditions of living on campus is a once-in-a-lifetime experience — and a reality for many.
Now, it's quickly becoming a reality for young adults with intellectual disabilities. Across the U.S., a growing number of colleges and universities are opening their doors to individuals with special needs. Here in Kansas City, efforts are currently under way to bring those same opportunities to metropolitan residents through a grassroots campaign known as EXCEL - Expanding College for Exceptional Learners.
EXCEL is fortunate to have the support of Kansas City parents, educators, philanthropists, business professionals and social service providers working to partner with a post-secondary institution in the region on behalf of this effort. Most of these individuals have already broken new ground in seeing their children succeed at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Now it's on to college for this new generation of pioneers!
EXCEL: Expanding College for Exceptional Learners is raising money on behalf of a unique undergraduate certificate program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City called Propel. Propel is a comprehensive college experience for young adults with intellectual developmental disabilities.
Students enrolled in Propel attend UMKC for two years, full-time (12 credit hours/semester; fall and spring semesters). Propel is inclusive: students with intellectual developmental disabilities engage in college classes with students without intellectual disabilities. In addition to full-time coursework, students have the option of participating in other student activities such as student organizations and service-learning/community engagement.
Over half of Propel's incoming students have an immediate need. Federal financial aid covers most of the tuition and fees for Propel, but not textbooks and supplies and many students are experiencing food insecurity.
A contribution of any amount is appreciated and will help! For example, Donate $20 and you provide 4 meals to a student. Donate $50 and you cover the cost of a student's first semester textbooks.
EXCEL will give donated money directly to UMKC, where the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will make awards based on need.
Families with children with intellectual disabilities have not typically had programs like Propel available. Because this is the first year of Propel, families have not had time to plan or save for college for their child with an intellectual developmental disability. One other important detail - the families of the Propel students cannot take out educational loans. They must only rely on Federal Financial Aid and private pay. Not having access to student loans is not something that Propel or UMKC can change - this is financial aid policy.
Going to college makes a huge difference in people's lives. Propel students need the advantages that college experiences give students - confidence, employment ready, networking, friendship, and independence. Please help Propel students with their first-year college tuition.
The Propel team, the students, and the families will be thankful for this assistance. As a donor, in addition to our formal thank you and recognition, if you would like, Propel will add you to The Propeller, an online newsletter. Through The Propeller you will get to know the students and can follow their progress.
Propel was on the news!
Fox 4 News
KSHB 41 News
About EXCEL:
Heading to college is a milestone any parent and student would celebrate. The excitement of choosing an area of study, making lifelong friends and enjoying the traditions of living on campus is a once-in-a-lifetime experience — and a reality for many.
Now, it's quickly becoming a reality for young adults with intellectual disabilities. Across the U.S., a growing number of colleges and universities are opening their doors to individuals with special needs. Here in Kansas City, efforts are currently under way to bring those same opportunities to metropolitan residents through a grassroots campaign known as EXCEL - Expanding College for Exceptional Learners.
EXCEL is fortunate to have the support of Kansas City parents, educators, philanthropists, business professionals and social service providers working to partner with a post-secondary institution in the region on behalf of this effort. Most of these individuals have already broken new ground in seeing their children succeed at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Now it's on to college for this new generation of pioneers!
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