The scholarship, with funds provided by Vanderbilt University, will support students in the Next Steps at Vanderbilt program. Based in Peabody College of education and human development, Next Steps is a four-year, postsecondary certificate program for neurodiverse students.
"This scholarship is an exciting development that aligns with the vision of Vanderbilt University to make education accessible to all," said Joseph Wehby, chair and associate professor for the Peabody College Department of Special Education. "We are thrilled that we can now support a greater number of students, many of whom have financial need."
Nine of the 27 students enrolled in Next Steps have already benefitted from the opportunity. Eligibility is assessed similarly to the Opportunity Vanderbilt program, which considers household income, tuition contributions and more, to help ensure that money is not a roadblock to enrollment.
"The creation of the new Next Steps scholarship is truly a blessing for me and my daughter," noted a class of 2027 parent. "It will allow her to continue her education without significant financial hardship. She loves being a Next Steps student!"
Financial aid challenges for neurodiverse students
Though certain state-level financial aid is available for inclusive higher education, such as Tennessee Vocational Rehabilitation, Tennessee Promise and STEP UP, these programs are only open to Tennessee residents and typically are available within a limited window of time after high school completion. In addition, students with an intellectual disability can apply for Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants and Federal Work-Study programs but are unable to access other federal loans or a number of traditional scholarships that rely on academic data points.
Inclusive collegiate programs for students with intellectual disabilities are still relatively new, first emerging in 2008. In some cases, explained Ariana Amaya, director of Next Steps, families of neurodiverse children have not been saving for college tuitions-partly because it wasn't always an option. Next Steps was the first program of its kind in Tennessee and remains the only such option at a top-20 university.
"This is a great step forward in meeting the needs of our student population, especially for those who may face heightened financial barriers," said Amaya. "We are a pioneer in setting the standard that students in intellectually inclusive higher education programs should be treated with the same principles as all students within an institution."
About Next Steps
The financial aid opportunity comes as Next Steps celebrates its 15th anniversary-and on the heels of a $2.32 million Department of Labor grant, awarded in 2024, aimed at expanding registered apprenticeship offerings. By providing students with an immersive college experience that includes coursework, a range of extracurricular activities, service projects, recreational pursuits, internships and employment, the goal of Next Steps is to foster meaningful roles and satisfying careers. Alumni surveys indicate that 96 percent of graduates enjoy competitive, integrated paid employment and 100 percent are happy with their job.
With this new need-based scholarship assistance, Vanderbilt intends to minimize financial hurdles for students and families who qualify, reiterating the university's longstanding commitment to providing a welcoming postsecondary education to all types of learners. To learn more about Next Steps, please visit its website
