The FUTURE program is a secondary education program at University of Tennessee, Knoxville that supports young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities with the transition from high school to adulthood. To learn more about what their program entails, please see the frequently asked questions answered below.Â
Program Information
The FUTURE program is a 2-year or 4-year inclusive college program depending on how many courses you want to audit.Â
The FUTURE Program's three main goals are job readiness, independence, and career exploration.
Students will take FUTURE classes consist of digital literacy, life skills, and career and life planning along with having access to the entire undergraduate course catalog.
Students will also complete on-campus or off-campus internships to get more practical experience and to see if they enjoy a specific kind of work.
Yes, the FUTURE program students are given peer mentors to help with campus life such as in class help or a lunch buddy. They also help with FUTURE program residents who live on and off campus by helping them with independent living skills.
Visit this link to learn more: https://cehhs.utk.edu/futureut/peer-mentors/
The students who graduate from the FUTURE program will have a vocational certificate.
Yes, FUTURE students have the option to live on campus. They are paired with another FUTURE student in a hotel style suite.
If choosing to live on campus, students will complete a needs assessment to help determine what supports are needed to be able to live independently.
There is also an independent living coordinator who helps support FUTURE students who choose to live in off campus apartments.
Students must have a certain level of independence (hygiene, medication administration, time management) but they also will have mentors that can come to help them with life skills and independent living skills.Â
Living in the dorm is not guaranteed as there are 8 dorm spots each year.Â
FUTURE students have access to everything that other University of Tennessee, Knoxville students have such as recreational sports, campus organizations, and campus events
The FUTURE program also has social events for its students throughout the year.
UTK also has a Best Buddies chapter that many FUTURE students are apart of.Â
No, the FUTURE program does not provide transportation to and from the school.
To look at public transportation options, click on the link: https://cehhs.utk.edu/futureut/cost-and-financial-support/Â
The FUTURE program is subcontracted under Vocational Rehabilitation, and most students in the program are able to get a job within three months of graduating the program
It is located on the University of Tennessee, Knoxville campus at 1122 Volunteer Boulevard, Knoxville, TN 37996.
Classes are in session for the same schedule as other UTK students.Â
For the University of Tennessee, Knoxville school calendar, please click on this link: https://registrar.utk.edu/calendar/academic-calendars/
The FUTURE program may be a good fit for you if:
You enjoy being in an academic setting
You have good independence skills but are looking to improve them
You are wanting to experience college life
You are wanting to get a job after graduating college
You don't know if you want to be in college for two or four years
You want to live on campus while experiencing life away from home
To qualify for the FUTURE program, you have to be:
Between the ages of 18-29 when starting the program
Have proof of eligibility for IDEA or 504 accommodations when in school
Graduated from high school with any diploma type (traditional, special education, alternative, or occupational diploma)Â
9th grade reading level or higher is recommended
Basic mathematics understanding and ability to use calculator
No severe emotional or behavioral problems
Has health insurance
Motivated to become more independent and have a meaningful career
Ability to learn how to navigate University of Tennessee Knoxville's campus independently
Have the desire to be apart of the FUTURE programÂ
You can apply on their website at: https://cehhs.utk.edu/futureut/online-application/
Online Application
Recent psychological-educational evaluation with intellectual disability diagnoses (needs to include IQ score)
High school transcript and most recent IEP
Results of a current physical examination (within last 12 months)
Three Letters of Recommendation from people who have known the applicant for a year or more (should represent education, vocational/employment, community involvement, personal)
Cannot be from a family member
A picture of the applicant
Application opens: July 1st (the year before you choose to attend)
Application deadline: March 1st
6-10 students based on how many they can accommodate and how many applicants they have (to reach the cap of 35 students in the program at one time)
Tuition
$11,500 per semester in-state (estimated for 2024-2025 school year and subject to change)
Includes the University of Tennessee Tuition along with $5,000 extra per semester for FUTURE program services
For information on dining plans, click on this link: http://dining.utk.edu/choose-your-meal-plan/
For information on housing options rates, click on this link: https://studentlife.utk.edu/housing/housing-options/rates/
Vocational Rehabilitation ($5,000 per semester)
Pell Grants (up to $3,500 per semester)
FAFSA required, based on financial need
May also be eligible for Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) for those who have the greatest need
TSAA Grant (up to $4,000 per year)
FAFSA required, based on financial need
TN Step-Up Scholarship ($2,250 per semester)
FAFSA required, not based on financial need
TN Promise ($2,200 per semester)
FAFSA required, not based on financial need
UT Promise (undergraduate scholarship for students who qualify for the HOPE scholarship whose adjusted gross income is under $75,000 a year and a total maximum asset amount less than $75,000)
Click on the links for more specific information on each program!
For information on completing the FAFSA, visit their website at https://studentaid.gov/
Who can I contact if I have more questions?
If you still have unanswered questions, you can contact University of Tennessee, Knoxville's FUTURE program through:
Email at futureut@utk.edu
Phone call at (865) 974-8493
Where can I find more information?
You can find more information from their website at: https://cehhs.utk.edu/futureut/
Can I take a tour of the FUTURE program?
The FUTURE program encourages visits and allows visitors to sit in on some of their classes.
Click on this link to find out how to schedule tours of the FUTURE program: https://cehhs.utk.edu/futureut/how-do-i-schedule-a-campus-visit/
Look at their virtual campus tour at: https://www.youvisit.com/tour/universityoftennesseeknoxville
Do they have social media I can follow to learn more?
Follow the University of Tennessee, Knoxville FUTURE program on Instagram @utk_future and like them on Facebook at UT FUTURE: Postsecondary Education Program!