PASSAGE USA Program

What PASSAGE USA Is

PASSAGE USA (Preparing All Students Socially and Academically for Gainful Employment) is a postsecondary program at the University of South Alabama in Mobile. It's designed for students with intellectual disabilities who want a college experience — campus life, audited courses, social clubs, employment training — without the standard admission requirements that would otherwise exclude them.

The program runs as a four-year, non-degree experience. Students audit regular university courses alongside their peers, participate in campus organizations, and receive structured employment training that leads to competitive integrated employment. It's one of a small number of Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) programs in Alabama approved for federal financial aid.

How PASSAGE USA Fits Into Transition Planning

For Alabama families working through the IEP transition process, PASSAGE USA is relevant at two decision points.

The ninth-grade diploma pathway choice. Students on the Essentials or Alternate Achievement Standards (AAS) pathways can still attend PASSAGE USA. The program doesn't require a standard high school diploma — it has its own admission criteria focused on functional ability, motivation, and family support. So a student on a modified pathway isn't locked out of a college experience.

The ADRS vocational rehabilitation connection. PASSAGE USA frequently coordinates with the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services. Students with active VR cases can potentially use their Individualized Plan for Employment to fund tuition, books, and employment-related supports through the program. Starting the formal VR application during junior year — with the 60-day eligibility window and 90-day IPE development timeline — helps put funding in place before the student enrolls.

Admission and Structure

PASSAGE USA has its own application process separate from the University of South Alabama's general admissions. Applicants need documentation of an intellectual disability, a completed transition portfolio from high school, and demonstrated interest in employment and independent living goals.

The program is structured in phases. Early semesters focus on campus integration, social skills, and auditing courses matched to the student's interests. Later phases shift toward internships, job coaching, and competitive employment placement. Students live on or near campus and participate in the full university environment.

What PASSAGE USA Doesn't Cover

The program is not a waiver service — it doesn't provide residential support funded through Medicaid HCBS waivers, and it doesn't replace the need for 310 Board intake if a student qualifies for developmental disability services. Families still need to manage the waiver application process separately, especially since Alabama's waiting list can extend for years.

PASSAGE USA also isn't free. Tuition, housing, and program fees apply, though the CTP designation means students can access certain federal financial aid (Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, and Federal Work-Study) that wouldn't otherwise be available to non-degree students.

Planning the Path to PASSAGE

If PASSAGE USA is on your radar, the practical timeline starts in high school. The transition IEP should include postsecondary education as a measurable goal. The ADRS referral should happen by sophomore or junior year so the IPE is developed before graduation. And the family should contact PASSAGE USA's admissions office directly during junior year to understand current enrollment capacity and application deadlines.

The Alabama IEP Transition to Adulthood Guide maps out this full timeline — from the ninth-grade pathway selection through VR coordination and the postsecondary handoff — so every piece is in place before the student's last IEP meeting.

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