TAP Admissions
The TAP admissions process is designed to have a comprehensive picture of each applicant's goals and support needs, and how those align with our program structures and supports. We aim to select prospective students who will fully and successfully participate in TAP, achieving their highest desired level of independence and skills in academics, vocational, social engagement, and independent living.
Program Requirements
The goal of TAP is to support students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in achieving their highest level of independence and success across academic, vocational, social, and independent living domains by aligning individualized goals and support needs with the program’s comprehensive structures and resources. Therefore, applicants’ skills and interests must align with the program's requirements and support model.
- Be 18-25 years old at the time of application.
- Have a documented intellectual disability or developmental disabilities.
- Demonstrate motivation to continue growing in academics, vocational exploration, social skills, and independent living.
- Demonstrate a desire for meaningful, inclusive employment after graduation.
- Have completed or will complete high school with a modified/standard diploma, or a certificate of program completion/achievement.
- Be able to commit to a four-year (eight semesters) college certificate program and participate in all TAP programming (classes, internships, meetings, coaching, etc.).
- Be able to manage own self-care (including medication and hygiene).
- Be able to manage unsupervised time and maintain college-level independence.
- Be able and willing to learn and participate in an inclusive classroom and work settings.
- Have experience staying overnight without parental supervision (camp, class trip, relatives’ home, etc.).
- Be able to follow the University of Cincinnati Student Code of Conduct.
Visiting Campus
A campus visit is a requirement for the application and is the best way to learn about TAP. The applicant and all parents/guardians must attend a TAP Information Session and Campus Tour no more than one year before submitting their application. Campus visits provide detailed information about TAP and UC and are led by TAP staff and students. Click here to schedule a campus visit.
Application
The application for Fall 2026 admission will open in August 2025. Applicants are encouraged to plan ahead and apply early, as applications are reviewed as they are received.
The Early Action Deadline is Friday, October 24, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET. Applications completed by this deadline will receive an admissions decision by the end of December 2025.
The Regular Decision Deadline is Friday, January 23, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET. Applications completed by this deadline will receive an admissions decision by the end of March 2026.
Applications are considered complete when the form fields are completely filled, the application is submitted, all required documents have been uploaded, recommendation packets have been submitted, and the $65 nonrefundable application fee has been paid. If you have any questions, contact us at TAPApplyNow@uc.edu.
Timeline for Fall 2026 Admission
| Date | Event | |
|---|---|---|
August 1, 2025 September - October October 24, 2025 | 11:59 PM ET Early December 2025 Late December 2025 January 23, 2026 | 11:59 PM ET February - March 2026 Late March 2026 |
TAP Application Opens TAP Information Sessions Early Action Applications Due On-Campus Interviews for Eligible Applicants Early Action Decision Emailed to Applicants Regular Decision Applications Due On-Campus Interviews for Eligible Applicants Decision Emailed to Applicants |
Steps To Admission
- TAP Application: Fill out the entire application. Make sure you click through all the pages until you reach the confirmation page.
- TAP Information Session: The applicant and all parents/guardians must attend a TAP Information Session and Campus Tour no more than one year before submitting their application. Schedule a campus visit here. Upload the Certificate of Attendance that you receive at the end of the tour.
- Resume: Upload your resume. List your work or volunteer experiences, job training at school, internships, and any clubs or extracurricular activities you have done.
- Video: Upload a 1-3 minute video where you tell us:
- Your name
- Why you want to join TAP at UC
- What you want to learn at the University of Cincinnati
- Your future goals (like getting a job)
- Your favorite social or fun activity
- Anything else you want to share about yourself
- Official Transcript: Send your official transcripts from high school and any college or training programs you have attended.
- Behavior Records: Upload all behavior records from any school you have attended.
- If you don’t have any behavior records, upload a letter from your school stating you don’t have a behavior record.
- Special Education Documents: Upload the signed copies of the most recent IEP, 504 Plan, and/or ETR you have.
- Psychoeducational Evaluation: Upload a report from the last two years that includes:
- Full-scale IQ
- Cognitive ability
- Achievement testing
- Social and emotional testing
- Guardianship Documentation: If someone has legal guardianship or power of attorney over you, upload the official paperwork. If this doesn’t apply to you, skip this step.
- Parent Forms: Readiness Survey and Personal Support Form must be filled out by your parent(s) or guardian(s).
- Recommendations: Ask 2 people (not family members) who have known you for at least one year to complete a recommendation form and letter. Send them the link to the Recommendation Form.
- Application Fee: Pay the $65 non-refundable fee. Pay online here.
When all application materials are received, the applicant’s file is reviewed by members of the Admissions Committee. Completed applications will be reviewed as received. Applicants will receive an email within 3 business days of submitting their application confirming that the application is either complete or incomplete. If you submit an application and do not receive an email within 3 business days, please email TAPApplyNow@uc.edu. Applications will only be reviewed after all materials have been submitted. Program staff may contact the applicant, parents, and/or references for additional information or clarification.
If the applicant is a possible candidate for TAP, the applicant and family will be invited to campus for an in-person interview. If the applicant does not meet admission requirements, the applicant will receive written feedback from the Admissions Committee by email.
The Admissions Committee will conduct on-campus, in-person interviews with eligible applicants and their parents/guardians. The interview allows the applicant to provide context on application materials, relevant experiences, and their desire to participate in TAP. Parents/guardians will attend the interview and provide context, as applicable, to the applicant’s answers and help the Admissions Committee gain a better understanding of the applicant’s support needs.
The Admissions Committee makes decisions about admission to TAP after reviewing all application and interview information. This review focuses on the applicant’s strengths, areas needing further development, motivation, and fit with what TAP can offer, rather than solely on a diagnosis or test score. Once admission decisions are finalized, applicants will be notified by email.
Due to the limited space in the program, some qualified applicants may not be admitted. Applicants who are not accepted to TAP will receive recommendations on how to strengthen future applications.
At TAP, the term waitlist is used similarly to how it is used in traditional college admissions. It does not mean that students are placed in line for an eventual opening or guaranteed a future spot. Being on the waitlist means your application is still under review. While we may occasionally offer admission to waitlisted applicants, this is not guaranteed.
Waitlist decisions are finalized by the date listed in our admissions timeline and do not carry over from year to year. Students who are not admitted from the waitlist need to reapply the following year.
Costs
Attendance costs include the TAP program fee, housing and meal plans, and elective courses. Students may be subject to additional fees not included here. All fees and estimates are for reference only and may change. Please note that TAP offers programming during fall and spring semesters only.
Estimated Total Cost Per Semester
Ohio Residents
- Freshmen and Sophomores - $17,213
- Juniors and Seniors - $17,818
Out-of-State Residents
- Freshmen and Sophomores - $19,130
- Juniors and Seniors - $19,735
What's Included in the Estimated Cost
TAP Program Fee
- $7,980 per semester
- Covers all TAP courses and academic support services
Required UC Elective Course
- Tuition varies by residency and credit hours
- See: UC Office of the Bursar Tuition & Fees
Housing & Meal Plan
Includes all-access meal plan, which is:
- Required for all UC first-year students
- Recommended for TAP students in Marion Spencer Hall
Paying for College
TAP is a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP), which means eligible students may receive funding from the Federal Pell Grant, Ohio College Opportunity Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and Federal Work-Study programs if they have a documented intellectual disability. Please be advised that financial aid for CTPs only includes grant funding and not federal student or parent loans.
To qualify, students will have to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). More information and who to contact with questions can be found at UC Financial Aid.
Note: TAP highly encourages all students to complete a FAFSA each year, regardless of need, as we periodically have grant or scholarship funds available to students with the requirement of a completed FAFSA.
You can also explore scholarship opportunities by using this search tool provided by the University of Cincinnati.
Returning TAP students are eligible to apply for the TAP into Your Future scholarship.
Students should also explore funding opportunities with Vocational Rehabilitation Services with your state.
There are scholarships and financial aid opportunities available for students with disabilities. Think College keeps an updated list of resources for paying for college and has many webinars, publications and blog posts to help guide families.
Estimate your total costs for attending TAP at the University of Cincinnati so you are prepared for what will need to be covered. Options can include the Semester Payment Plan (link: https://www.uc.edu/about/bursar/pay-bill/tuition-payment-plan.html) or Alternative Loans. Review your options to determine what is best for your family.