Apply

Typical Program Process

• Step 1: Complete the WVU Admissions Application
• Step 2: Complete Country Roads Program Application
• Step 3: Secure 3 Completed Recommendation Form
• Step 4: Submit 6 Required Documents & Received by Country Roads Program
  1. Release and Exchange of Information Form
  2. Physical Examination Form completed by a primary care provider
  3. Official High School Transcript
  4. Behavior Records (if student has no record, send a letter from high school stating there is no record)
  5. Current or most recent copy of IEP and any postsecondary records
  6. A documented comprehensive and individualized evaluation that includes:
     1. Psychological evaluation, including IQ testing within the past three years (as of March 15, 2026)
     2. Adaptive behavior scores within the past three years (as of March 15, 2026)
     3. Social-emotional functioning within the past three years (as of March 15, 2026)

        **Note: Steps 1-4 MUST be completed no later than March 15th, 2026.

• Step 5: Attend in-person interview in March of 2026 in Morgantown, WV at WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities at 959 Hartman Run Road
• Step 6: Sit back and wait for decision letters to be sent mid-April 2026.

Timelines

• Application deadline is March 15, 2026
• Students will be notified of acceptance to the program in April 2026.
• New students will attend their New Student Orientation in the summer of 2026.
• Students will move in August 2026.

Admissions Criteria

• Documentation of an intellectual disability, with significant limitations in intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior (AAIDD definition) and/or a developmental disability (CDC definition)
• Completed 4 years of high school with a diploma, modified diploma, or GED
• Age 18 – 26 years old by August 31st of application year
• IQ < 75 and/or developmental disability
• Adult rights as a US citizen

Priority will be given to those students who:

• Were eligible for IDEA services while in school.
• Had an IEP while in school.
• Independently administers and manages medication and medical needs.
• Have a reading ability and comprehension is at least at the thirdgrade level.
• Utilizes basic functions of technology, such as calculator, cellphone, and computer.
• Are able to function independently for a sustained period.
• Are sociable with groups of new people.
• Are able to handle changes in routine.
• Can take direction to complete assignments.
• Has the desire and motivation to participate in the college experience.

Students who do not meet this eligibility or believe that the Country Roads program may not be the right fit for them are encouraged to explore other higher education offerings in West Virginia for students with disabilities.

West Virginia University's Office of Accessibility Services provides academic accommodations that can include note-taking assistance, interpreters, transcription, housing and transportation accommodations. Learn more at https://accessibilityservices.wvu.edu/. The OAS office also houses the WVU Autism Support Program.

West Virginia University’s Conditional Admissions is an academic support program designed for conditionally admitted students.

Conditionally admitted students are those who have not met one of the minimum admission criteria, either high school GPA or standardized test scores (ACT or SAT). Learn more at https://advisingcenter.wvu.edu/about/conditional-admission.

Marshall University’s College Program for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder provides individualized skill building and therapeutic supports to degree-seeking students with ASD though a mentored environment as they navigate college experience at Marshall University. Learn more at https://www.marshall.edu/collegeprogram/.

The College of Education, Health and Human Performance at Fairmont State University first implemented the AIMSS program in 2015. AIMSS provides individualized planning to develop strategies and support for each student accepted into the program. Students accepted into the AIMSS program must meet criteria for admission to Fairmont State University.

For more information about other programs outside of West Virginia, please check out Think College. Think College provides resources, technical assistance and training related to college options for students with intellectual disability, and manages the only national listing of college programs for students with intellectual disability in the United States.

Don't Forget

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed every academic year a student is interested in federal financial aid. Please note some state aid and scholarship programs require the student to have a valid FAFSA. For more information on this process please go to: https://financialaid.wvu.edu/applyingforaid/fafsa

This will allow you to access the WVU Financial Aid page to get information about the FAFSA process the deadline for many WV scholarships is March 1st of each year. Please apply for FAFSA even without knowing whether or not your application has been accepted. If you have specific questions about this process, talk to your high school counseling office or call the WVU Financial Aid Office at 304- 293-1988 and tell them you are applying for the Country Roads Program.

We also encourage you to start the conversation with your local Division of Rehabilitation Services office about pursuing the program. Most of the students in the program receive most of their funding for the program through DRS services. Their application process is separate and is better to start early so you know what to expect as soon as you are accepted. WV residents can find their local offices.

For any help during your application process, please email countryroads@hsc.wvu.edu or email the Program Manager at kayla.richard@hsc.wvu.edu.