South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster paid a visit to Clemson University on Friday to announce an additional $750,000 in funding for the ClemsonLIFE program. The funding is much needed to support the current students and to expand the program, according to university president Jim Clements.
Opening the conference, Clements talked about the pride he has in the ClemsonLIFE program. This is personal for him as his daughter is currently a freshman in the program.
“ClemsonLIFE is a transformative program,” said Clements. “Not only does it transform the lives of its students and their families but has also transformed this great university. ClemsonLIFE students bring so much joy and so much happiness to our campus, you can’t help but feel great when you’re with them… and they always have a smile on their face.”
According to ClemsonLIFE’s founder and executive director Joe Ryan, the national percentage of young people with intellectual disabilities who are employed is estimated to be as low as 14%. For ClemsonLIFE and similar programs at four other colleges in South Carolina, that percentage is estimated to be from 85% to 100%.
Clemson’s program is also highly competitive with a 15% acceptance rate, so there is great interest and need for programs like ClemsonLIFE.
“While these statistics are impressive, we still face significant challenges in meeting the demand of these programs,” said Ryan. “We desperately need state funding to increase both the number and size of post-secondary education programs offered throughout our state.”
Currently, there are 40 students enrolled in the program, though they hope to expand that number to 50 students by 2025. This is where the additional funding will be much needed to grow the program in the future.
Ryan also mentioned the significance of financial aid for these students. According to Ryan, these programs did not exist when many of the students were born, so their parents did not save up a college fund for them, making financial aid even more important.
“Keep doing what you’re doing. It is making South Carolina an even greater place to live, work and raise a family,” McMaster said about the funding.
Ryan reminded attendees that ClemsonLIFE stands for “Learning Is For Everyone,” and McMaster’s additional funding is expected to help further that goal.
Opening the conference, Clements talked about the pride he has in the ClemsonLIFE program. This is personal for him as his daughter is currently a freshman in the program.
“ClemsonLIFE is a transformative program,” said Clements. “Not only does it transform the lives of its students and their families but has also transformed this great university. ClemsonLIFE students bring so much joy and so much happiness to our campus, you can’t help but feel great when you’re with them… and they always have a smile on their face.”
According to ClemsonLIFE’s founder and executive director Joe Ryan, the national percentage of young people with intellectual disabilities who are employed is estimated to be as low as 14%. For ClemsonLIFE and similar programs at four other colleges in South Carolina, that percentage is estimated to be from 85% to 100%.
Clemson’s program is also highly competitive with a 15% acceptance rate, so there is great interest and need for programs like ClemsonLIFE.
“While these statistics are impressive, we still face significant challenges in meeting the demand of these programs,” said Ryan. “We desperately need state funding to increase both the number and size of post-secondary education programs offered throughout our state.”
Currently, there are 40 students enrolled in the program, though they hope to expand that number to 50 students by 2025. This is where the additional funding will be much needed to grow the program in the future.
Ryan also mentioned the significance of financial aid for these students. According to Ryan, these programs did not exist when many of the students were born, so their parents did not save up a college fund for them, making financial aid even more important.
“Keep doing what you’re doing. It is making South Carolina an even greater place to live, work and raise a family,” McMaster said about the funding.
Ryan reminded attendees that ClemsonLIFE stands for “Learning Is For Everyone,” and McMaster’s additional funding is expected to help further that goal.
