The National College Attainment Network (NCAN) is excited to launch the second round of a grant-funded project, generously supported by the Oak Foundation! The application for NCAN’s “Strengthening Postsecondary Transition for Students with Learning Differences” project is available and the deadline to apply is October 31, 2024. NCAN will select a total of five member organizations to receive a $45,000 grant over two years to build new or better postsecondary
transition protocols with their selected partner colleges and universities for students with learning differences.
The purpose of this grant is to aid members in better supporting postsecondary transitions for students experiencing learning differences. The Oak Foundation defines students with learning differences as students with learning disabilities, such as dyslexia,
dyscalculia, and dysgraphia, as well as individuals who may have other related neurological processing challenges that can impact learning, such as attention deficits, sensory processing disorders, and executive function challenges. It includes students
who have been tested and received a formal diagnosis, a 504 plan, or an individualized education plan (IEP) as well as those who have yet to receive formal accommodations. The process to get accommodations for these students does not only vary with
their diagnosis but also between institutions.
Prospective grantees should expect to disaggregate students with learning differences and begin to monitor their persistence through the process of summer melt and on to degree attainment. Due to the prevalence of undiagnosed learning differences among
our students, grantees can also expect to adjust their programming to be more universally effective across student abilities. Increasing and strengthening opportunities for students with intersecting identities will be a fundamental theme in this
initiative as students who have learning differences are also experiencing inequity in higher education based on race and economic circumstances.
Interested NCAN members that are eligible may apply here by October 31, 2024. A sample application can also be found here. For application-related questions, please contact David LaNore at lanore@ncan.org.
Summary of Eligibility
Number of awards: Five in 2025-26.
Award amount: $45,000 over a two-year period ($30,000 in year one, $15,000 in year two).
Eligibility: Applicants must be NCAN members and have a current 501c3 status; have a high concentration of students enrolling in at least one particular institutions; and have an existing or potential formal/informal partnership with
higher education institution(s).
Scope of work: Build new or better postsecondary transition protocols for students with learning differences in partnership with selected partner colleges and universities.
Requirements: Selected members will meet monthly beginning in January 2025 through June 2026, in a community of practice cohort; Must identify one team member and one higher education partner to participate in NCAN’s 2025 National
Conference in New Orleans, LA (NCAN will provide up to two complimentary registrations); This opportunity requires consistent participation and responsiveness from a designated project lead (full time staff person from within the organization).
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