A $1.2 million Transition and Postsecondary Education for Students with Intellectual Disabilities grant from the U.S. Department of Education puts Calvin on a path to be the first university in Michigan to offer a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program.

Up to this point, the university’s partnership with the Ready for Life Academy (RFLA) allowed students with disabilities to take classes on campus and participate in organized campus life activities, but they were not officially enrolled as Calvin students and were not living on campus. Now, this grant enables RFLA students to be enfolded more into the campus community, which organizers hope will lead to a greater sense of belonging.

Besides the mutual community benefit, the students will also now be able to earn a certificate not only from the RFLA, but also from Calvin University. In addition to the life skills courses they take through RFLA, they also are able to choose Calvin courses in an area of interest, such as ministry, creation care, or helping professions, to name a few.