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Open House Information

Attending an Open House event is required as part of your UP Program application. There are several opportunities to join us on campus for the 2025-2026 school year!

Please go to Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵOpen House and register for the date that works best for you. Once you have completed that online registration, please complete this so we know you will be attending with us for the UP Program. If you have further questions about Open House events or Admission deadlines, please email us at wcuupprogram@gmail.com.

The best part? It is never too early to come check us out! Even if college is still a couple years away for you, we encourage you to still attend and learn more!

 

Important Dates and Deadlines for Fall 2026 Enrollment

• August 2025: Applications for Fall 2026 enrollment will open
  
• December 1, 2025: Deadline for applications to be submitted for individuals applying for Fall 2026
• December 2025: Apply for Financial Aid as soon as available. Awards are made until funds are depleted but are first come first serve. Be sure to select to send your info to WCU.
• January/February 2026: UP Admissions Steering Committee meeting to review applicants and notify students who are selected for Orientation Camp
• March - May 2026: Spring Orientation Camp for potential UP students selected by the UP Admissions Steering Committee (includes required multi-day residential experience, final decisions made, deposits and forms due, advising and registration)
• August 2026: Selected students will move into residence halls and start classes on the same date as all Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵstudents

Admission to the UP Program

Consideration for admission to the UP program is given to those who meet the following admission requirements:

• Age 18-25 at the time of admission with a documented intellectual disability (IQ ~ 70 or lower)
• Have been enrolled in a high school special education program (such as the Occupational Course of Study or Certificate of Completion) that does not allow students to complete requirements necessary for standard admission to WCU
• Demonstrates communication skills adequate to interact with others on the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵcampus
• Demonstrates socially acceptable behavior that will allow a favorable experience on the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵcampus
• Demonstrates ability to be unsupervised overnight and manage own medications
• Adequately motivated to learn and benefit from participation in the UP Program
• Expresses interest in living and working as independently as possible in their community with paid employment at or above minimum wage working 20 or more hours per week after completing the UP Program and supported by parents and families to do so
• Full support from parents and families to engage in the UP program and support the requirements above

All applicants to the UP Program are reviewed by the UP Program Steering Committee. This committee comprises several on and off campus partners, including the following individuals:

• Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵundergraduate or graduate student
• Former parents of UP Program graduates
• Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵDirector of Financial Aid
• UP Program Staff
• Administration Representative from the College of Education and Allied Professions
• Representatives of Undergraduate Admission
• Representatives of Educational Outreach
• Representatives of Residential Living
• Director of Accessibility Resources
• Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵFaculty that have taught UP students
• Employers who have worked with UP students
• Representatives from Tutoring and Student Success Centers
• Medicaid Service Agency partners

 

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Apply to the UP Program for Admission in Fall 2026

Applications for Fall 2026 admission are open from August through December 1, 2025. Please visit again in August for links and info needed. Be sure to follow us on social media and that you are on our contact list to recieve updates once the application is live. If you have additional questions email us at wcuupprogram@gmail.com.

Waiting for the application to go live? Go ahead and review the to help you prepare everything you need!