Inclusive Postsecondary Education Grant (IPSE)

IPSE is a grant for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities who participate in an approved inclusive postsecondary program in Georgia. It does not fund any college program generally: the student must be admitted to a designated program and the institution must be in a category approved by the state commission.

The 2026–27 rules cover eligible public-system institutions and expand participation to qualifying private programs; the state update names Berry College’s Program for Inclusive Learning. The award is calculated from standard tuition and eligible program charges, capped by the tuition level set by GSFC. The final amount can vary by campus, enrollment, and available funds.

For a family, the key task is coordinating program admission with financial aid: ask disability services and financial aid to confirm admission criteria, supports, transportation, services, and costs outside tuition. Verify that the program is approved for the intended year and what disability documentation is required; one campus’s details should not be applied to another.

The grant may reduce tuition, mandatory fees, or specific program charges, but it is not the same as full cost-of-attendance coverage. Request an itemized bill and ask which services count as eligible charges and which require other resources. If the student uses Medicaid, vocational rehabilitation, or another support, coordinate with each provider rather than assuming the grant replaces those benefits.

IPSE supports participation in approved inclusive postsecondary programs, not every individual disability-related service. First ask whether the college and its program are approved for 2026–27; the state expanded eligibility to certain private institutions, but that does not automatically make every campus a participant.

Speak with the program director and financial-aid office before accepting costs. Confirm which educational components the grant may cover, how the award is calculated at a private institution, and which supports must be paid another way. State aid does not replace admissions or guarantee housing, transportation, or personal services.

Families can request a joint meeting to review the calendar, documents, schedule, transportation, and transition services. Bring the program plan and request a semester-by-semester net-cost sheet. Ask how aid renews and what happens if a student pauses or reduces participation, since funding and rules depend on the award year.

Who it serves and what it can cover: IPSE is a grant for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities who participate in an approved inclusive postsecondary program in Georgia. It does not fund any college program generally: the student must be admitted to a designated program and the institution must be in a category approved by the state commission. The 2026–27 rules cover eligible public-system institutions and expand participation to qualifying private programs; the state update names Berry College’s Program for Inclusive Learning. The award is calculated from standard tuition and eligible program charges, capped by the tuition level set by GSFC. The final amount can vary by campus, enrollment, and available funds.

How to apply or get help: For a family, the key task is coordinating program admission with financial aid: ask disability services and financial aid to confirm admission criteria, supports, transportation, services, and costs outside tuition. Verify that the program is approved for the intended year and what disability documentation is required; one campus’s details should not be applied to another. For case-specific questions, contact the program or financial-aid office named on its official page.

Official application and program information