Massachusetts MAICEI Inclusive College Enrollment for Students with Disabilities
Most families assume that when special education ends, the only post-school options are day programs, sheltered workshops, or staying home. Massachusetts has a different path: the MAICEI program — the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative — places transition-age students with intellectual disabilities in real college classes alongside their non-disabled peers on public university and community college campuses.
How MAICEI Works
MAICEI is a dual-enrollment initiative funded through the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education in partnership with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Students who are still IEP-eligible (typically ages 18–22) attend college courses, participate in campus activities, and access social and extracurricular programming at participating Massachusetts state universities and community colleges.
The key word here is concurrent — students remain enrolled in their local school district's special education program while attending college courses. The school district continues to fund the educational supports, and the college provides access to its campus, courses, and student life. Students do not need to meet standard college admission requirements because they are attending through the school district's transition program, not as matriculated degree-seeking students.
MAICEI is not an audit or an observation. Students take actual classes — sometimes modified, sometimes with a peer mentor or educational coach — and participate in the full college experience. The goal is building social connections, employment skills, self-advocacy, and independent living competencies in a natural age-appropriate environment rather than a segregated transition classroom.
Who Qualifies
MAICEI eligibility is straightforward:
- The student must be between 18 and 22 years old
- They must have a current IEP through their local school district
- They must have a severe disability covered by the program, including a severe intellectual disability, severe autism, or another severe developmental disability
- Their IEP team must agree that inclusive college enrollment is an appropriate transition service
The student does not need to take a placement exam, submit SAT scores, or meet GPA requirements. The IEP team and the college's MAICEI coordinator work together to identify appropriate courses and determine the level of support needed.
Where MAICEI Programs Operate
MAICEI operates at multiple public higher education institutions across the state, including several University of Massachusetts campuses, state universities like Westfield State and Bridgewater State, and community colleges throughout the Commonwealth. Each campus runs its program slightly differently — some offer a structured cohort model with dedicated peer mentors, while others integrate students individually into courses based on their interests and transition goals.
The number of available slots varies by campus and by funding year, since MAICEI relies on state appropriations that are renewed through the budget cycle. Families should not wait until age 21 to explore this option — reaching out to the campus MAICEI coordinator during the student's IEP transition planning at age 18 or 19 gives the best chance of securing a placement.
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How to Get Started
The process typically begins with the IEP team. At the student's annual IEP meeting, the family or transition coordinator raises MAICEI as a potential post-secondary option and writes it into the transition plan. The school district then contacts the MAICEI coordinator at the chosen campus to discuss the student's profile, support needs, and course interests.
Some families initiate contact with the campus directly, especially if their school district is unfamiliar with MAICEI. The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education maintains a list of participating institutions and program contacts.
The IEP team should also coordinate with MassAbility (formerly MRC), since Pre-Employment Transition Services can complement MAICEI enrollment — students can access job exploration, workplace readiness training, and self-advocacy instruction through MassAbility while attending college courses through MAICEI.
Why MAICEI Matters for Long-Term Planning
Beyond the immediate educational experience, MAICEI participation gives families a concrete, documented transition experience to include in the Chapter 688 referral package and the Individual Transition Plan.
The Massachusetts Adult Benefits Guide maps out how MAICEI fits into the broader transition timeline alongside DDS eligibility, MassAbility referrals, and the Chapter 688 process — so families can sequence these programs without missing deadlines or duplicating effort.
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