How do I handle getting my V.R. counselor to ?

H

Heath

Active Member
Joined
May 31, 2005
Messages
8,069
Reaction score
0
Hi AllDeaf readers, I am wondering how do I get my V.R. counselor to start getting serious about my going to college ? It seems like right now everything is in the air. I have big goals and good plans that I want to achieve in my life so I am sure this is a pretty common complaint between many Deaf people and VR counselors.

What this thread is not for Deaf people who are lazy and not really do anything towards going to college.

( All talk, no action, no proof for the VR counselor, you know who you are !!!!! so do not bother posting on this thread. )

This thread is for Deaf people who already are doing everything they can do and are serious about going to college and are actually finding the VR counselor is not doing all he can or is not holding up his end of the deal.

What tactics or techniques have you used with the VR counselor to get him to start getting real with you when you already are working so hard only to have the VR counselor change plan or his mind etc ?

I am sure this is a very big frustration for many Deaf people so please remember this thread also can help another serious Deaf people who need to go to college so keep this in mind please.

Thank you.
 
Last edited:
Heath said:
Hi AllDeaf readers, I am wondering how do I get my V.R. counselor to start getting serious about my going to college ? It seems like right now everything is in the air. I have big goals and good plans that I want to achieve in my life so I am sure this is a pretty common complaint between many Deaf people and VR counselors.

What this thread is not for Deaf people who are lazy and not really do anything towards going to college.

( All talk, no action, no proof for the VR counselor, you know who you are !!!!! so do not bother posting on this thread. )

This thread is for Deaf people who already are doing everything they can do and are serious about going to college and are actually finding the VR counselor is not doing all he can or is not holding up his end of the deal.

What tactics or techniques have you used with the VR counselor to get him to start getting real with you when you already are working so hard only to have the VR counselor change plan or his mind etc ?

I am sure this is a very big frustration for many Deaf people so please remember this thread also can help another serious Deaf people who need to go to college so keep this in mind please.

Thank you.
Click to expand...

I have had that happen to me with my VR counselor about going back to school full time.This may be a little different but the idea is the same. I took time off from school to work full time cuz I didnt know what I wanted to major in so as a result, my case was closed. After 3 years of working, I decided I was ready to go back to school and when I contacted my VR counselor about it, she said that it was too late. This happened like 12 years ago so I am trying to remember exactly what steps I took but I remember that I demanded a meeting with her supervisor and we all had a big meeting in which I had to present my case. I had to explain why I stopped going to college, justify my reasons for returning to college, and how I will be serious about it. I remember going to a lot of meetings before my case was opened. Also, I was required to do some volunteering at different places relating to my career before they could open my case.

Just ask for your VR counselor's supervisor and go from there. Good luck!
 
My only and very credible contribution to this thread is that the California VR system is a total joke these days.

Richard
 
Shel gave you good advise. Another starting point would be to contact the disability office of the school you plan to attend, and explain to them that you are ready and willing to register for classes at their institution, but that VR is giving you the run around, and you need them to act as an intermediary for you. Sometimes, when VR receiveds a call from someone at the school, it shows them that the student is taking positive steps, and it gets them on the ball a bit quicker. Good luck, and congrats on your decision to go back to school!
 
At the college where I do most of my interpreting, the students don't go thru VR. They use the services of the Disability Counselor.

A few of the Deaf students use VR only if VR is paying for job training thru a college.

Most of the Deaf students apply for the same financial aid and lottery tuition money the same way that the hearing students do. They also work part time, and/or use their SSI funds.

The Disabilities Office provides interpreters, extended test times, FM systems, or other accomodation products or services. The college pays for them.

I guess each state does things differently. Does your state's college require you to go to VR before you can register for school?
 
Reba said:
At the college where I do most of my interpreting, the students don't go thru VR. They use the services of the Disability Counselor.

A few of the Deaf students use VR only if VR is paying for job training thru a college.

Most of the Deaf students apply for the same financial aid and lottery tuition money the same way that the hearing students do. They also work part time, and/or use their SSI funds.

The Disabilities Office provides interpreters, extended test times, FM systems, or other accomodation products or services. The college pays for them.

I guess each state does things differently. Does your state's college require you to go to VR before you can register for school?
Click to expand...

Thanks, Reba. This is all true. The exception is the college where I work, under Institutional Equity, staff persons are available to assist with financial aid issues. If a disabled student is all set to go and financial aid is the only thing standing in the way, we have some contacts to facilitate the process. The regular financial aid package includes a high proportion of loans that have to be paid back, and we encourage students to apply for all the scholarship/grant money they can. VR funds fall under this category, as they don't have to be paid back.
 
Thank you to all of you who have given good advice and I will be doing some research and look into talking to the biggest boss, not the one in the office but the biggest boss there is also I am going to see about talking to the college disability office of the school there and see what can be done. Hopefully, the ball will get going and be able to finally go to college. Pennsylvania is very slow when it comes to VR or any of the state bureau services. Thank you and God Bless :angel:
 
jillio said:
Thanks, Reba. This is all true. The exception is the college where I work, under Institutional Equity, staff persons are available to assist with financial aid issues. If a disabled student is all set to go and financial aid is the only thing standing in the way, we have some contacts to facilitate the process. The regular financial aid package includes a high proportion of loans that have to be paid back, and we encourage students to apply for all the scholarship/grant money they can. VR funds fall under this category, as they don't have to be paid back.
Click to expand...
Yes, if a student can avoid loans that is the best way to go.

Pell grants, SC lottery, and scholarships are "free" monies that don't have to be paid back.

I was shocked to find out that many scholarships at our college don't get paid out every semester for the simple fact that some are not even applied for! There is money sitting there waiting to be used, and people don't even bother to try. That is so sad.

I know one student (with just average intelligence, average GPA, and average income) who won a cash scholarship because she was the ONLY student who applied that semester! Wow!
 
Good Luck and I went thur apply college without Vr or other help!
 
Low income deaf students can get financial aid, it's good for people who are low income and on their own and you don't have to pay them back, either. All you need is to pay for the books or find someplace to cover the book and equipment charges. VR is a waste of time in my opinion.
 
Yeah I do think VR can be a waste of time if they are not really being serious and helping people reach their goals. If this keeps up I will be doing this on my own. It may be alittle harder but it can be done. I am not done with VR yet.
 
Reba said:
Yes, if a student can avoid loans that is the best way to go.

Pell grants, SC lottery, and scholarships are "free" monies that don't have to be paid back.

I was shocked to find out that many scholarships at our college don't get paid out every semester for the simple fact that some are not even applied for! There is money sitting there waiting to be used, and people don't even bother to try. That is so sad.

I know one student (with just average intelligence, average GPA, and average income) who won a cash scholarship because she was the ONLY student who applied that semester! Wow!
Click to expand...

Absolutely. We always have funds that aren't disbursed.
 
Information provided by Scholarship Experts

To some students and parents, the word "scholarship" is just another one of those confusing college terms: student loans, FAFSA, tuition and fees, EFC, grants, and work study. Little do they realize that knowing more about the scholarship process could save them thousands of dollars when trying to cover the cost of their education.

What are scholarships?
Scholarships come in a variety of forms, but are generally considered to be "free money" for college. Unlike loans, scholarships do not have to be repaid to the scholarship provider. Some scholarships are awarded directly to the student in the form of a check, while other scholarships are written out to the student's college or university. Several different types of providers issue scholarships: clubs and organizations, charitable foundations, businesses, schools, universities, government agencies, and others.

Who can get scholarships?
It is a common misconception that scholarships are only for straight-A students. In reality, there are all types of scholarships for all types of students, including those with less than perfect academic records. Some scholarships are for athletes; others are for students planning to study in particular fields; and others for community service. Some scholarship providers just want to reward students for living in a certain city or state! Students also mistakenly believe that only college-bound high school seniors can apply for awards. Scholarships are available for all levels of college study, from freshman undergrads to graduate and PhD students.

How do students find scholarships?
Finding scholarships can be a very time-consuming process. Some students choose to peruse through pages and pages of award information in scholarship books or in files found at local libraries. But other students use reputable and accurate scholarship search services on the Internet to save time in the searching process. Using online resources is a good idea if the website offers updated, current data and some type of quality matching technology. Students can also ask their high school guidance counselors about any local or state awards that they may qualify for, and should be sure to contact the financial aid office at the college or university they plan to attend to learn if they qualify for any awards provided by the school. Finally, students should ask their parents and friends to be on 'scholarship alert' for them, always checking local newspapers and bulletin boards for local scholarship listings.

Financial Aid Center: What You Should Know About Free Money For College – Yahoo! Education
 
I went to college and VR paid for my school. Then I quit college for 2 years and worked during that time. I decided to go back to school to finish my degree and my VR accepted me back immediately. I think one reason why is that my grades were good and I was a good student--caused no plms and attended my classes.

Sometimes VR don't take you back cuz of bad grades history or other plms. Also you have to convince them that your major you picked is a good one for jobs when you graduate. You may have to go over the VR to the supervisor. If all fails, then try to get $$ that you dont have to pay back. Good luck! :fingersx:
 
Thank you C:cool:L Cat for the advice and I did not get very good grades in school because I was either always fighting or skipping school or I was simply not there at all. Now I wish I did alittle better in high school so once I am in college, I will be studying hard and getting superb grades and studying to stay superior in everything that I do for college and for a living, after college. Being much more older with more self discplince really helps alots with my college studies too. If I went to college while I was younger like when I was 18-20 yr. old, I would of still been fighting alots and partying really hard so now I go to college for work and real life. I am 30 years old and have had alots of life experience under my belt so that is really a plus for college and studying.
 
I work on a branch campus of a state school, and our average age of students is 29. We have a majority of non-traditional students reteruning to school, but we also have a higher retention and graduation rate than our main campus because the older students are more dedicated. So, you have an advantage, Heath.
 
jillio said:
I work on a branch campus of a state school, and our average age of students is 29. We have a majority of non-traditional students reteruning to school, but we also have a higher retention and graduation rate than our main campus because the older students are more dedicated. So, you have an advantage, Heath.
Click to expand...

Agreed !!!!! :) :thumb:
 
Back
Top