• Meet with your guidance counselor to review graduation requirements and your post-high-school plan.

• Choose a path to explore: community college, a four-year college, a certificate program, an apprenticeship, employment, or an adult transition program.

• Use a personal email address you can keep after graduation. Check your email and college portal regularly.

• Make a calendar of application, financial aid, orientation, and registration deadlines.

• Apply for college and financial aid. These are separate applications.

• If you need disability accommodations, contact the college disability-services office and complete its separate application.

• If you have an IEP, discuss your transition goals and whether a district adult transition program is an appropriate option before making graduation decisions.

• Make a transportation plan and a budget for books, supplies, meals, and other costs.

Community colleges offer career certificates, associate degrees, and pathways to transfer to a four-year university. Start with the enrollment page, then contact disability services if you need accommodations.

Río Hondo College — Whittier

• Enrollment steps for first-time students

• Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS)

• Apply for DSPS services

• Financial aid

• Río Promise: eligibility and requirements

Cerritos College — Norwalk

• Apply to Cerritos College

• Student Accessibility Services (SAS)

• SAS frequently asked questions

• Financial aid

Fullerton College — Fullerton

• Enrollment steps

• Disability Support Services (DSS)

• Apply for DSS services

• Financial aid

How college accommodations work

Your high school IEP or 504 plan does not automatically put college accommodations in place. Contact the college disability-services office, ask what documentation it needs, and follow its process to request support. Accommodations are determined individually.

Keep copies of your IEP or 504 plan, recent evaluations, and any Summary of Performance you receive. Ask the college which documents it will accept; you may need to provide additional information.

Read the U.S. Department of Education guide to disability support in college

Aply for financial aid early, even if you are unsure which school you will attend. Ask a school counselor or college financial aid office whether the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application is right for you.

• FAFSA: apply for federal student aid — The application is free.

• Create your StudentAid.gov account — Students and any required parent contributors use their own accounts.

• California Dream Act Application (CADAA) — A state financial aid application for eligible students.

• California Student Aid Commission: how to apply and current deadlines — Start here for state aid information, including Cal Grants.

For students starting college in fall 2027, use the 2027–28 aid application. California's published state-aid priority deadline is March 2, 2027; a later community-college deadline is September 2, 2027. Aim for March 2 and check college deadlines, which may be earlier.

Ask your school counselor about Cal Grant GPA submission and local scholarships. Ask each college about its Promise program, California College Promise Grant, scholarships, and financial aid workshops. Program requirements vary. Tuition assistance may not cover books, transportation, housing, or every fee.

After applying, check your email and college portal for missing documents and next steps. Compare aid offers and understand which funds you must repay before accepting a loan.

California's Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) helps people with disabilities prepare for employment. DOR Student Services offers career exploration, work preparation, and information about education after high school.

Student Services is for students ages 16–21 who meet DOR's disability-related criteria. An IEP or 504 plan is one possible way to meet those criteria. Ask DOR which services fit your needs.

• DOR Student Services: eligibility and how to request services

• DOR employment, education, and training services

• Find a DOR office

• Email DOR Youth Services

Contact a local office or Youth Services to get started. As of October 1, 2026, DOR reports that its online application is temporarily unavailable. Student Services and vocational rehabilitation are separate service pathways; ask DOR about application steps, eligibility, and availability for each.

Turning 18 brings new rights and responsibilities. Learn about contracts, housing, work, money, and decisions that affect your future.

• When You Turn 18: A Legal Survival Guide — English PDF

• Cuando cumple 18: La guía de supervivencia — Spanish PDF

• Guide publisher and downloads

• Money skills for teenagers and young adults

Practice these skills before graduation: schedule an appointment, send a professional email, read a paycheck, make a basic budget, use a bank account safely, plan a trip to school or work, keep documents secure, and ask for help when needed.

• CareerOneStop — Explore careers, training, and job-search resources.

• California apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship search — Search training options and contact programs about openings and requirements.

• 211 LA — Find local resources for food, housing, transportation, and other needs. You can also call 211.

• Find your regional center — Families of students with developmental disabilities can ask about eligibility and adult supports. The Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center serves the Whittier health district; confirm the correct center using your home address. Having an IEP does not by itself establish regional-center eligibility.

• Social Security: turning 18 and SSI — Families of students receiving SSI can learn about the age-18 eligibility review.

Ask your college about tutoring, EOPS, basic-needs support, food resources, and career counseling. Eligibility varies by program.

• Help your student make a plan that reflects their interests, strengths, and support needs.

• Practice having your student make calls, send emails, and explain the help they need.

• Keep important documents organized and help your student track deadlines.

• Ask the college how a student can authorize information sharing with family members when appropriate.

• Discuss adult transition options with the IEP team when your student may need continued school-based support.

• Learn about supported decision-making and alternatives to conservatorship when your family needs help planning decision support in adulthood.