RISE Program Application

JUDSON UNIVERSITY is an evangelical Christian university that represents the church at work in higher education, equipping students to be fully-developed, responsible persons who glorify God by the quality of their personal relationships, their work, and their citizenship within the community, the nation and the world.

RISE is the Road to Independent Living, Spiritual Formation and Employment, a 2-year, live-on-campus program for students with intellectual disabilities. Our mission is: Shaping a greater future for students with intellectual disabilities. Ideal candidates for the RISE Program:

• Ages 18-25 years
• Diagnosed intellectual disability
• High School diploma or equivalent
• Practical reading and writing skills
• A desire to learn while living in a college environment with traditional students

ADMISSIONS POLICY
Applications for Admission are accepted from September 1 through January 31, for the cohort that begins the following August.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY
Judson University policy prohibits discrimination based on race, gender, religion, age, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, marital status or disability in the recruitment and admission of students, and in the operation of all college programs, activities and services.

Candidacy Information

This application should be completed by the STUDENT, except for one portion under the "Diagnostic" section which will require parents to respond.

What year do you plan to begin your studies?

Note these are academic years: for example, the Fall 2025 semester takes place during the 2025-2026 academic year.

What are your hopes and goals for attending the RISE Program?

How did you hear about Judson?

If you selected "Transition/College Fair," please provide the location.

Student Name Information

First Name

Middle Name

Last Name

Suffix

Gender

Marital Status

Birth Date

SSN

Citizenship Information

Citizenship Status

Citizen Of

Visa Type

Race Information

Race (Choose one or more)

Ethnicity

Student Contact Information

Do you reside outside of the United States?

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

County (IL residents only)

Country

Primary Phone Number

Email Address

Confirm Email Address

Judson University is an Evangelical Christian university that equips students to be fully developed, responsible persons who glorify God by the quality of their relationships, work and citizenship locally and globally.  Being "fully developed" includes developing spiritually.  To help us better serve our diverse community, please indicate where you are in your own spiritual journey by selecting one of the following statements about where you see yourself at this time.

Judson University’s Christian standards distinguish our classes, campus life, community and climate from other schools. In the space provided, briefly describe what attracts you to Judson and what you feel you can contribute to our learning community.

Do you currently attend church?

If "yes," how often do you attend?

Name of Church

Church Address

Address Line 1

City

State

Zip Code

What religious denomination best describes your beliefs?

Parent/Guardian 1

Note: this will be the primary emergency contact, and should be a person with whom the student currently lives

Relationship

First Name

Last Name

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Country

Phone Number

Email Address

Current Employer

Current Position at Job

Parent/Guardian 2

Relationship

First Name

Last Name

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Country

Phone Number

Email Address

Current Employer

Current Position at Job

Additional Family Information

Please also list the names and ages of any siblings. Please also include additional emergency contacts, if applicable.

Family Members

What is the highest level of education your father has obtained?

What is the highest level of education your mother has obtained?

Are either of your parents employees of Judson?

Are either of your parents alumni of Judson (did either graduate from Judson)?

Diagnostic Information

Please identify all IEP eligibilities indicated on your most recent psycho-educational evaluation.

List out any other health impairments (please describe).

Please upload a copy of your most recent IEP.

Please upload a copy of your most recent neuro-psych eval (if available).

Do you have any of the following (check all that apply)?

If you marked any of the boxes above, please explain.

Please list any medications you are currently taking and for what condition(s).

Please list out any therapies you are currently receiving.

Do you plan to continue these therapies after your enrollment in the RISE program?

Parent/Guardian Assessment

The document provided below should be completed by the parent or guardian. Please download the form and ask your parent/guardian to complete it. Once it has been filled out completely, please upload the completed form.

Click to download the Parent/Guardian Assessment form.

When completed, upload the Parent/Guardian Assessment form.

School Information

Enter information below for all high schools and post-secondary institutions that you have attended (including transition programs, vocational programs, private alternative therapeutic day schools, etc.).

Instructions: Use the drop-down menus to look up a school. Click "Save" to add the school to this application. You may search for and save as many records as necessary.

State of Institution

Institution

Name of Institution

Degree

Please order official copies of all transcripts from the schools listed above to be sent to Judson. Your application will not be reviewed until all transcripts have been received.

Mailing Address:

ATTN: Rise Program Director, Lindner Tower
Judson University
1151 N State St
Elgin, IL 60123

If you attended a post-high school transition program, please provide additional details here (e.g., how long did you attend, what was the program focus, etc.).

Describe your educational placement in high school.

If "Other", please describe.

What accommodations(s) were offered to, and used by, you in high school and/or college? Check all that apply.

If "Other", please describe.

Employment/Internship History

Please list all employment history, including internships and volunteer work. List the employer or volunteer organization, employment dates, and responsibilities.

Employer

Start Date

End Date (leave blank if currently employed)

Responsibilties

Type of work

Employer 2

Start Date

End Date (leave blank if currently employed)

Responsibilties

Type of work

Employer 3

Start Date

End Date (leave blank if currently employed)

Responsibilties

Type of work

Interests and Experiences

List all major activities (volunteer, music, athletics, theatre) to which you devoted much time and/or effort. Include the dates of participation.

List your strengths (e.g., math, memory for numbers, visual planning, etc.).

List your challenges (e.g., interpersonal skills, making friends, working etc.).

What motivates you to perform your best (e.g., high fives, specific foods, watching your favorite TV show, playing with electronics)?

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time (e.g., music, puzzles, physical activity, etc.)?

What causes you to feel nervous, anxious or frustrated (e.g., baby crying, unexpected touch, ending a fun activity, etc.)?

What strategies have helped you in the situations you described?

Disciplinary History

Judson University is committed to maintaining a safe environment for our students. Answering “yes” to the questions below will not automatically prevent admission. Applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Have you ever been dismissed or placed on academic or disciplinary probation?

If yes, please explain the circumstances.

Have you ever pled "guilty" (or "no contest"), been adjudicated, or otherwise been convicted of a crime in any court? (Do not include minor infractions such as speeding tickets.)

If you answered yes, you must write an explanation of the circumstances, including your name, date and location of the incident (include court records for the incident as applicable), and send to:

Campus Safety Department
Attn: Violence Prevention
Judson University
1151 N. State Street
Elgin, IL 60123

Additional Documents

Download and review the attached photo policy.

Sign and upload the photo policy agreement.

Download and review the attached lifestyle statement.

Sign and upload the Lifestyle Statement.

References

Three references from people other than family members are required. Each reference will receive an email from the RISE Program to start the process; please let your references know that we will be contacting them.

School-Related Reference (include first and last name)

Email Address

Spiritual/Community Reference (include first and last name)

Email Address

Other Reference who knows you well (e.g., coach, support worker, therapist, doctor, etc.) (include first and last name)

Email Address

Confirm all information has been provided - each tab will have a check-mark when finished. Then click "Submit" to complete your application. Please note that your application will not be reviewed until all required documents are received.

Applications may take a moment to process; please DO NOT refresh the page or close the browser until you receive a successful message.