IEP vs. 504 vs. ADA: What Changes When Your Student Starts College

If your student has had an IEP or 504 Plan in high school, you’ve likely become familiar with how school-based support works—meetings, documentation, progress goals, and a team that helps ensure everything stays on track. But once college starts, the landscape shifts. Suddenly, the systems you relied on no longer apply in the same way.

This post breaks down the key differences between K–12 and college accommodations and offers guidance to help students and families prepare for the transition.

First, the Legal Framework Changes

In K–12 settings, students with disabilities are supported under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. These laws require schools to identify students with disabilities, evaluate them at no cost to families, and develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) that often include services like speech therapy, behavioral support, or modified curriculum.

But IDEA ends at high school graduation. At the college level, services are governed by Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These laws protect students from discrimination but do not require colleges to identify students, provide evaluations, or create individualized programs.

In other words: support becomes available, not automatic.

The Role of the Student Becomes Central

In college, students are expected to self-advocate. That means requesting accommodations, providing documentation, and communicating directly with instructors.

If your student was used to teachers or counselors taking the lead in high school, this change can feel abrupt. But with preparation and the right guidance, students can learn to take ownership of their access needs.

What Happens to the IEP or 504 Plan?

Colleges may request a copy of a student’s IEP or 504 Plan, but these documents do not carry over as-is. Instead, they may be reviewed as part of the interactive process involved with determining whether the student qualifies as an individual with a disability and to inform what accommodations might be reasonable at the college level.

Some institutions may accept and IEP or 504 Plan alone. However, many 4-year colleges and universities often require recent comprehensive documentation that outlines:

• A diagnosed condition

• Current functional limitations

• A clear rationale for each requested accommodation

This documentation usually must come from a qualified professional and meet the institution’s criteria for sufficiency. An IEP or 504 alone may not meet that standard.

What Stays the Same?

While the systems change, the legal right to access remains. Colleges are required to provide reasonable accommodations that allow students with disabilities equal access to courses, materials, services, and activities. That could mean extended testing time, access to note-taking tools, reduced-distraction exam environments, or other tweaks that don’t fundamentally alter the nature of a program.

It’s also worth noting that colleges cannot charge students for accommodations or deny them admission based on a disability.

How to Prepare Before the Transition

Here are a few steps families can take to ease the shift from high school to college accommodations:

1. Gather Documentation Early
   Make sure any evaluation reports are recent and clearly describe how the student is currently impacted.

2. Practice Self-Advocacy Skills
   Encourage your student to attend their IEP meetings, speak up about what helps, and begin sending their own emails when possible.

3. Meet with Disability Services
   Many colleges allow incoming students to meet with their disability services office before classes begin. This can be a helpful way to understand the process and set expectations.

4. Be Realistic About Supports
   Services like weekly check-ins with a special education teacher, assignment modifications, or in-class aides are not typically available at the college level. Be open to exploring new tools or strategies that better match the college setting.

Final Thoughts

The move from K–12 to college accommodations can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. With proactive planning and clear guidance, students can access the support they need to thrive.

Need help preparing your student for the transition? I offer one-on-one consultations for families navigating the shift to college disability services. Book a session to get started.