2007-08
Cost of Attendance and Adult Norm-Referenced Disability Testing

Florida Statutes 1009.892

Program Description
Students attending Florida private or public postsecondary institutions who require adult norm-referenced testing to qualify for accommodations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 may qualify to have the cost of this testing included in their institution’s Cost of Attendance (COA). Indirect restoration of such costs will be dependent upon the student’s individual need and the availability of need-based financial aid at the institution the student is attending.

Qualifications
To qualify to have testing costs included in the COA, the student will:

• Have documented learning disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
• Be required by their institution to complete adult norm-referenced tests for placement in appropriate accommodations.
• Have documented receipts of such testing.
• Be a Florida resident.
• Be enrolled at least 6 semester hours or the equivalent per term.
• Be enrolled in a degree, certificate, or diploma program at a Florida private or public postsecondary institution.

Student Responsibilities
Students are required to self identify or disclose their disability to the designated office for disability services to receive services or accommodations available at their chosen institution. In order to have costs included in the student’s COA, a student must also disclose testing costs via documented receipts of such to the financial aid office.

Institutional Responsibilities
Each institution may adapt the individual student's COA to accommodate any adult norm-referenced tests. Institutional COA calculation procedures may differ from institution to institution. Individual school policies may also follow guidelines set forth in the United States Department of Education handbook that allows for disability expenses.

For further information contact the financial aid office at eligible postsecondary institutions or OSFA, State Programs, Suite 70, 1940 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32303-4759. Contact OSFA toll-free at 1-888-827-2004.