FAQs

Academic Accomodations

i already have academic Accommodations on file with PAFA. Do I have to get these "REnEWED" each new academic year?

Yes. Before the start of each new semester, students will receive an outreach email from PAFA's Student Support Coordinator requesting a Zoom or in-person review of their Academic Accommodations Verification Letter from the previous academic year.

The goal of this meeting is to review how implementation of your accommodations went the prior academic year and to make any required updates to your Accommodations Verification letter. Updates will require additional clinical documentation from the student's current medical provider. Once the letter is updated and officially signed for the current academic year, the student will receive the updated electronic copy and will outreach to their faculty to have individual discussions.

What do you mean by "disability"? I see this indicated on the forms used to request academic accommodations.

Disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. The term 'substantially limits' means the individual is restricted with regard to the condition, manner, or duration with which a major life activity is performed compared to most people in the general population.

(source: MICA Student Disability Accommodation policy)

What do you mean by "reasonable accommodations"?

Reasonable Accommodation is any reasonable modification or adjustment to a course, program, service, activity or facility required for a student, by virtue of the specific functional limitations of a disability, to have equal access to PAFA’s programs and activities, inside or outside the classroom.

An accommodation does not fundamentally alter curricular requirements, the essential learning goals and outcomes of a course, and/or the nature of a service or program. In the case of academic classes, the accommodation cannot be so significant that it alters or substantially modifies the essential nature or standards of the course as determined by the faculty member and PAFA. Services of a personal nature, such as personal attendants, homework assistance and private tutors, do not qualify as accommodations at the college-level.  

(adapted from: MICA Student Disability Accommodation policy)

Accommodations simply provide an alternative way to accomplish the course requirements by eliminating or reducing disability-related barriers, providing a level playing field. 

(adaped from: American Psychological Association, "Reasonable Accommodations Explained")

What types of academic accommodations do PAFA students typically use?

Accommodations may include but are NOT limited to: extended time on exams or assignments, distraction-reduced testing area, note-taking assistance, recording lectures, assistive listening devices, housing or furniture modifications, interpreters, and preferential seating. 

(adaped from: SAIC, "Disability & Learning Resource Center")

I'm hesitant to apply for accommodations because I don't want to be seen as "taking advantage" or as viewed by my peers or faculty as "needy" or "incapable."

Perhaps you have had a negative experience in the past with a teacher or student around your academic accommodations needs. Many students who would have benefited from applying for and utilizing academic accommodations miss out on having a more positive academic experience because they are concerned of how they will be perceived by their peers or faculty. If this is something you have been wrestling with, please consider reaching out to PAFA's Student Life staff for guidance. PAFA's Student Support Coordinator is here to support you: healthandwellness@pafa.edu or call: 215-972-2003. 

Consider your unique learning needs an opportunity to develop your toolkit for managing your day-to- day life beyond your academic experience! 

Am I still eligible for academic accommodations if I have not yet submitted documentation to Student Services?

Yes! However, we urge you to not wait to start the process for requesting accommodations. If it is the first day of class or the middle of the semester and you seem to find yourself struggling with a concern that you believe may qualify as a disability, you can always begin the process for requesting academic accommodations. Keep in mind that accommodations are not retroactive; you are responsible for completing the accommodations paperwork/process in a timely manner. Reach out to PAFA's Student Support Coordinator: healthandwellness@pafa.edu to start the process.

I want to bring my Emotional Support Animal (ESA) to PAFA and I will be residing in PAFA Student Housing. What do I need to do?

We're glad that you are thinking ahead about your emotional wellness resources before you arrive to campus and want to support you!  If you will be living in Stiles Hall (PAFA campus housing within Drexel's building), to request approval for your ESA, you will need to complete and submit certain accommodations documentation forms to Student Life. Please see the Forms Page for details. You may also find the ESA Page useful.

For further information, check out the Service & Emotional Support Animal policy as well as the Information for Requesting an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) form. View Drexel's ESA Policy here.

Penn Medicine EAP Counseling Services

OR

What are Penn MEDICINE EAP Counseling Services HOURS?

Penn Medicine EAP Counseling Program regular business hours are 8:30am-5:00pm, Mondays through Fridays. 

A Penn Medicine EAP Clinician is available for consult 24/7. If you urgently need to speak to a clinician and you're calling after hours, let the answering service know and you will be connected to a Penn Medicine EAP Clinician on-call.

Who do I speak with when I am connected and what will they ask me?

If you call during regular business hours, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Clinician) will answer the phone and ask you, “Who do you work for?” As this is an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) counseling service by design, expect this. You may say, “I'm a student at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts seeking counseling services.”

The Clinician will then ask you basic contact information (address, phone, etc) identifying information (name, DOB, etc), and then use standardized, clinical assessment tools, such as the  PHQ-9 Depression Scale to learn if you are managing clinically diagnosed depression and to what degree, and the Audit-C, another standardized clinical assessment tool which asks about the level of your substance use.

Why do the Penn MEDICINE EAP CLINICIANS use these standardized, clinical assessment tools?

The Clinicians need to know if you are clinically appropriate and safe to use the counseling services, which are intended for those experiencing specific, acute stressors/life events which can be managed safely and effectively in short-term, outpatient treatment. Individuals who are actively suicidal, actively using substances to great impairment or have attempted suicide recently, or indicate a recurring/ongoing treatment problem are referred to appropriate programs.

I don't understand why I'm not eligible to get counseling services through Penn medicine EAP Counseling?

Penn Medicine EAP Counseling Service is an Employee Assistance Program, meaning that this counseling model is designed as short-term and therefore takes into consideration that clinical issues should be able to be appropriately and safely managed under a short-term, outpatient treatment model. Your clinical issues may not be served best by this model and may deserve a higher level of care. That’s OK. When you call, be honest about what you are managing, so that you get access to the appropriate services you deserve. Even if you call and end up not qualifying for the counseling services, the clinician you speak with will still provide you with referrals to services that will be most helpful and effective. You can also reach out to PAFA's Student Support Coordinator: healthandwellness@pafa.edu for support with securing care.

will i be eligible for a renewal of benefits (i.e., extend into more than 10 sessions)?

You will need to call back Penn Medicine EAP to complete a new assessment to determine if you are eligible for an extension of sessions, as this is a case-by-case basis. Generally speaking you are limited to 10 sessions unless a new clinical issue occurs that results in new, presenting symptoms that were NOT present in your initial use of the benefits. Remember: Penn Behavioral Health is a short-term model of care. If your clinical needs indicate a longer-term care model, that's perfectly fine! Connect with PAFA's Student Support Coordinator for assistance: healthandwellness@pafa.edu

Mental Healthcare and Health Insurance

Looking to use your Health Insurance to pay for Mental Health Services?

Call your insurance carrier PRIOR to scheduling an intake appointment with a provider. Typically this phone number is located on the back of your health insurance card. 

Questions to ask your insurance carrier: 

For Outpatient Psychiatry and/or Outpatient Therapy visits:

PAFA Student Health Insurance Through UnitedHealthcare

WaivE (DECLINE) 

PAFA's STUDENT Health Insurance

I waived PAFA Insurance LAST ACADEMIC YEAR, do i have to waive again??

Where do I go to waive (DECLINE) PAFA's health insurance coverage?

I waived (DECLINED) my health insurance, but I still see the charge on my bill?

**Please note: the credit is applied the day it is processed which may differ from the charge date.  Review your statement and you should see the charge amount as $xx.xx and the credit amount as ($xx.xx). 

I already have insurance coverage.  Can I subtract the amount from my bill and pay the balance?

I  submitted a waiver online and have received aN email that my waiver has been declined. What do I do now?

What is the deadline to waive (DECLINE) PAFA STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE?

I'm needing help with finding affordable health insurance coverage. Do you have any recommendations? 

I'm not sure if my current health insurance is COMPARABLE TO THE PAFA STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE &...

Enroll inTO  

PAFA's Student Health Insurance

I ENROLLED in PAFA insurance LAST ACADEMIC YEAR, do i have to ENROLL again??

I WOULD LIKE TO ENROLL IN PAFA'S STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE &...

When am I able to begin enrolling in PAFA's Student Health Insurance plan?

FOR FALL 2023 semester...

Starting approximately July 14, 2023 thru September 13, 2023:

*=you can always find your PAFA Student I.D. when you log into the portal (where you pay your student bill)

FOR SPRING 2024 semester...

Starting December 4, 2023 thru January 22, 2024:

*=you can always find your PAFA Student I.D. when you log into the portal (where you pay your student bill)

I currently DO NOT HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE &...

What are the 2023-2024 healthcare benefits covered under PAFA's Student Health insurance?

I entered in all of my information online to enroll into PAFA's Student Health Insurance plan. How do I know that I'm all done with what I need to do?

*CHECK YOUR SPAM/JUNK FOLDER IN CASE THE EMAIL LANDED THERE!

*CONSIDER DOWNLOADING MY UHC [United Healthcare] APP TO ALWAYS HAVE ACCESS TO YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE CARD/BENEFITS COVERAGE

I'VE enrolled into PAFA's Student Health Insurance plan. When can I start seeing a doctor?

*scroll down to see question below on how to search for medical providers in this plan

Where is my PAFA Student Health Insurance card? I thought I was supposed to get this in the mail.

How do I find a medical provider under the PAFA Student Health Insurance plan?

It is strongly encouraged that you establish a relationship with a primary physician at the start of your health insurance coverage, so that you feel comfortable with their practice. Some students will set up a Wellness check-up once their insurance goes into effect, so that the doctor has your medical history established and gets to know you before you are visiting when you are ill.

I've lost or can't remember my login information (username or password) to get into my UHCSR.com account. What do I do?

I'M TURNING 26 YEARS OLD DURING THE ACADEMIC YEAR & I'M CURRENTLY ENROLLED ON MY PARENT/GUARDIAN'S HEALTH CARE INSURANCE PLAN...