Fort Wayne Campus

• What is STRIVE?

  Success Through Resilience, Inclusion, and Vocational Education

  • A program funded generously by Ivy Tech Community College and the WindSwell Foundation
  • Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (IPSE) option for students with intellectual disabilities at Ivy Tech

  • 2+ Year program that includes various options for the program of study, as well as independent living skills courses

  • Support for achieving meaningful internships, job placements, and career planning based on each student's needs

  • Same great affordable Ivy Tech tuition rate!

• What can I expect from being in STRIVE?
  • Students should expect to be enrolled in at least one college course (for credit or audit), depending on the pathway, per semester. 
  • Students should expect to attend the independent living skills course once per week, focusing on topics like health, relationships, safety, financial literacy, career preparation, transitions, and cooking. We work with many community partners such as Junior Achievement, Gigi's Playhouse, Erin's House for Grieving Children, and McMillen Health Center for a well rounded curriculum. 
  • Students should expect to have job shadowing, internships, or employment opportunities during the program. 
  • Students should expect to be on campus 3+ days per week. 
• How do I qualify for the STRIVE Program?

  • 18- 24 years old

  • Diagnosis of an intellectual disability

  • Third-grade reading comprehension level or higher, and can use assistive technology (speech to text, screen reader, etc.) 

  • Functional Communication skills to convey basic needs and personal information

  • Attendance of all required classes, life skill lessons, and community outings 

  • Reliable transportation to the Ivy Tech Fort Wayne campus

  • Can be unsupervised on campus 

  • Motivated to attend college as well as have long-term career goals

  • Two Letters of Recommendation from non-family members 

    • This can be the Teacher of Record, guidance counselors, or therapists

  • IEP or Psych Evaluation 

    • You can acquire this from the Teacher of Record, the school district, or a physician

  • Tour of our facilities

  Apply for a campus tour here!

• My student doesn’t qualify but still wants to attend college

  • Disability Support Services (DSS) at Ivy Tech Community College offers a wide range of individualized support

  • Extended classroom support (ECS) sessions 

  • We offer individualized accommodations that will assist in their success

• Skills & Experience

  A wide variety of skills and invaluable experiences in and out of the classroom. Students will learn workplace readiness skills, independence, decision-making skills, social skills, personal responsibility, and more!

• Support

  DSS is here to advocate for, guide, and support students throughout their education journey. Areas where accommodations are provided include testing, reading/writing, and lecture notes. All accommodations are individualized to the student. We provide many methods of communication, including phone, email, text, in-person, or Zoom. 

• Peer Mentors

  Another way STRIVE students are supported is through peer mentors!

  Peer mentors are students just like them who help students navigate campus resources, attend campus events, and use a variety of campus facilities. 

DSS is seeking Peer Mentors to support STRIVE students

• What is a STRIVE Peer Mentor?

  A Peer Mentor is a current Ivy Tech student who provides guidance, encouragement, and practical support to a fellow student participating in STRIVE. 

  Mentors help students in the STRIVE program navigate college life, strengthen academic and time-management skills, and work toward their educational goals. Peer Mentors also participate in campus-wide activities and promote an inclusive college experience. 

  Peer mentors are expected to meet with students, share their knowledge, as well as skills, to help mentees navigate college and meet their educational goals. 

  Although they are not tutors, peer mentors will help students improve their academic and time management skills. 

  Duties and Responsibilities: 

  • Establishes a consistent schedule to meet with STRIVE students 

  • Prompts students to check in or schedule a meeting with Instructors, advisors, tutors, and support staff for academic assistance. 

  • Motivates students to use available campus resources and supports 

  • Takes initiative to encourage and invite mentees to join student organizations, campus-wide social events, and enjoyable recreational activities. 

  • Assist Disability Support Services staff in planning events and learning opportunities for STRIVE students to increase knowledge of independent living skills. 

  • Completes in-class note-taking responsibilities as needed 

  • Maintains strict confidentiality of all information related to the student's disability, academic performance, and/or communications. 

  • Performs other duties as deemed necessary by the Disability Support Services Department 

• Federal Work Study FAQ
  This info applies to all Federal Work Study positions at Ivy Tech Fort Wayne and Kosciusko County

  Q: What is Federal Work Study? 

  Federal Work Study (FWS) is a federally funded, need-based financial aid program. Funds are provided to Ivy Tech through the Department of Education, and provide job opportunities to students who demonstrate financial need. 

  Q: Who is eligible? 

  To be eligible for the FWS program, you must be a student of Ivy Tech working towards an eligible degree program, enrolled in at least one or more credit hours, be in good academic standing or on approved probation, have a current FAFSA on file, and demonstrate financial need. To check eligibility, contact the Financial Aid Office at 260- 480-4136 or fw-finaid@ivytech.edu

  Q: Does being a part of the FWS program mean I won't receive the Pell grant? 

  No. You are not paid out of your Pell grant funds. Instead, you are paid from a separate fund that is strictly for federal work study students. 

  Q: Will this affect my financial aid for tuition and books? 

  No. This will not affect the financial aid money you have for tuition and other charges. is another funding source for students. 

  Q: How many hours can I work, and what is the hourly rate? 

  Students can work up to 20 hours a week, and hours are determined based on each student's individual financial need. Supervisors must be on-site while the student is working. 

  Q: Is this the same as being a student worker/intern? 

  No. On-campus student workers/interns are paid from a separate pool of funding. However, the pay rate and hours worked are the same. The only difference is where the funding comes from. 

  Q: What are the advantages of being part of the federal work study program? 

  There are many advantages to being a part of this program! You have the flexibility to build your work schedule around your classes. Having an FWS job can assist you in earning some additional funds while taking classes, and you will also gain valuable skills and experiences that will prepare you for post-grad employment and help build your resume. 

  Q: How much will I get paid? 

  The pay rate is $15.00/hr, and the number of hours you receive depends on how much financial aid you get. 

• Federal Work Study Application Checklist

  1. Make sure your FAFSA is complete.

  2. Check eligibility with the Financial Aid office.

  3. Complete the application

  4. When completing the Federal Work Study application for employment, please be sure to use your legal name as noted on your social security card (do not use nicknames).

  5. To find out which departments are hiring, email the Career Link office at fortwayne-careerlink@ivytech.edu 

  6. The hiring department will interview eligible students and notify the Financial Aid Office of the students they hire.

  7. The student will then sign the authorization form provided by the Financial Aid Office (sent electronically).

  8. Students must complete a background check and an orientation with HR before they can start working. HR will contact the student to set this up.

  9. If you have any further questions or concerns, contact our financial aid office at fw-finaid@ivytech.edu