College Accommodations: Replacing the IEP with a 504 Plan
by April Rehrig — Rise Educational Advocacy
What Every Parent and Student Needs to Know About Disability Support After High School
Making the leap from high school to college can feel overwhelming- especially for neurodiverse students and their families. The support systems you've relied on in K12 education, like IEPs and 504 Plans, don’t automatically transfer to college. But that doesn’t mean help disappears. It just looks different.
In this blog, we’ll break down the key differences between high school IEPs and 504 Plans and college disability services, explain how laws shift after graduation, and walk you through how to get the right 504 accommodations in college.
Disability Laws: What Changes After High School?
In K12, schools are required to identify students with disabilities and provide services under three main laws:
IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
But in college, IDEA ends. That means no IEPs. Only Section 504 and ADA remain, and their role is different.
Instead of modifying curriculum or designing specialized instruction (such as a resource class or IEP services), college 504 Plans focus on equal access- not guaranteed success. Students must take on the role of being their own self-advocate, and accommodations are ONLY issued if students register at the college disability center, apply provide appropriate documentation, then are approved.
IEPs and 504s: Do They Transfer?
Here’s the short answer: No, they don’t.
What You Need to Know:
High school IEPs and 504 Plans don’t automatically follow students to college.
Colleges are not required to provide comparable services.
Students must initiate the request for disability support through a 504 Plan, and be approved before coursework begins (accommodations are not approved retroactively).
What Disappears:
Specially Designed Instruction (SDI)
Curriculum modification
Special education assessments (free of charge)
IEP goal progress reports and mandated annual meetings
Legally binding service plans like an IEP
The Legal Wall: FERPA & Parent Access
One of the biggest surprises for parents is FERPA- the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Passed in 1974, this federal law protects the privacy of student education records. Once a student transitions from high school to college, understanding FERPA becomes essential for both parents and educators. FERPA gives students the legal right to access, review, and request changes to their academic records, and limits how schools can share personal information.
FERPA applies to any school—public or private—that receives federal funding, including nearly all colleges and universities. While most elementary and secondary private schools are not covered due to a lack of federal funding, private colleges typically are.
Privacy Rights in College: Shifting Expectations
Once a student turns 18 or enters a post-secondary institution like a college or trade school, they become what FERPA calls an "eligible student." At this point, parents no longer have automatic access to their child's educational records- even if the student has a disability or still receives family support.
Eligible students can:
View their own education records
Request corrections if they find errors
Decide who can receive their personal information (with some legal exceptions)
File complaints if their rights under FERPA are violated
For families of students with IEPs or 504 Plans, this transfer of rights can come as a surprise. It’s important to plan ahead and discuss how information will be shared, especially if the student wants their parents involved in educational decision-making during college.
Only in an emergency will the university reach out- unless your teen signs a FERPA waiver. Talk about FERPA early with your teen. It's a major shift in responsibility that can feel jarring if families are unprepared.
Changing Roles: From Parent Advocate to Mentor
In high school, students sat in IEP meetings, while parents and teachers took charge of education plans. In college, teens request and manage their academic, financial, and housing needs.
Now is the time to help your child:
Practice self-advocacy
Speak directly with teaching staff
Request meetings, if things go sideways
Learn how to read their IEP or 504 Plan
Take initiative for medical appointments, manage medications, and personal needs.
Let teens stumble, grow, and succeed on their own terms. Caregivers are still important- but now families coach from the sidelines, not call the plays.
What College Support Looks Like
Colleges offer academic accommodations through a 504 Plan, but do not modify curriculum or guarantee progress. Here’s what support might look like:
Extended time on tests
Note-taking assistance
Accessible housing
Audio books or screen readers
Priority class registration
Many colleges offer tiered services:
Basic 504 Plan accommodations (free, limited)
Enhanced support services (fee-based, more frequent check-ins)
Fee-for-service programs (specialized programs, academic coaching, or executive functioning support)
Every college has different programs and services- so it’s crucial to ask early and compare options BEFORE teens apply and are accepted at a post-secondary institution.
How to Get 504 Accommodations: Step-by-Step
Want disability-related accommodations for your teen? Here’s your roadmap for success:
Pro Tips:
Update documentation and additional testing before graduation (within 3 years is best)
Tour the Disability Services Office during college visits
Practice advocacy skills with teens early (let them take charge at every IEP and 504)
Gather and share digital copies of IEPs/504s with teens including evaluations, and their final Summary of Performance (SOP) or 504 during their senior year.
We Can Help
Starting college is a huge milestone- and yes, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. But with the right tools and preparation, teens can thrive after high school.
At Rise Educational Advocacy, we guide parents and teens through the journey. From IEP and 504 support in K12 and beyond, we provide Advocacy Services, Do It Yourself Templates, Workshops, and daily videos. Follow us on YouTube and Instagram. Want help for your child? 👉 Get Started HERE.
🎓 Ready to Take the Next Step?
Grab our College Guide Below
👉 https://www.riseeducationaladvocacy.com/Preparing-for-College-with-an-IEP-or-504-Plan
April Rehrig
M.Ed., BCEA, LEP, PPS, CASDCSRise Educational Advocacy & Consulting, LLCFounderriseeducationaladvocacy.comNeed more support for your student?
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