If you have any questions or need assistance with the DSPS Application or enrollment process, 
please feel free to contact Elsa Chacon, DSPS Specialist, at (949) 582-4246 or echacon@saddleback.edu.

We look forward to your participation in the College Advantage Program!

Good Luck!

  • Community College: open access
  • Founded in 1968
  • Enrollment in 2021/2022: over 28,000 students
  • Over 280 Associate Degree, Certificate & Occupational Skills Award programs
  • Two colleges within the District: Saddleback College and Irvine Valley College
     
  • Transfer to a 4-year university
  • Associate Degree / ADT
  • Career/Vocational Certificate
  • Occupational Skills Award
  • Classes to enhance job skills
  • Personal Development
     
  • Arts, Media, Performance and Design (AMPD)
  • Business and Industry
  • Health and Wellness
  • Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)


Visit the Programs & Degrees Page
 

  • Counseling Services
  • DSPS
  • Financial Aid
  • EOPS
  • LRC Tutoring Services
  • Student Health & Wellness Center
  • Transfer Center
  • Career Resource Center
  • C.A.R.E. Corner/Basic Needs Center
     
  • Authorize accommodations to provide equal access to college programs and recommend services that support student success
  • Help students with disabilities learn self-advocacy skills and strategies to be successful in college-level classes
  • Provide specialized classes 
  • Typically serve over 2,500 students with verified disabilities

Differences between High School Special Education & College

  K-12 Higher Education/College
Type of Law IDEA Title 5
Responsibility Parent and School
  • District evaluates for disability
  • Parent advocates for student
 Student:
  • Provides verification of disability
  • Identifies needs and self-advocates
Responsibility
Ensures		 Success Equal access

Services
  • Evaluation
  • Remediation
  • Modifications
  • Accommodations
  • Personal services
  • Transportation
  • Reasonable accommodations that do not alter the fundamental nature of courses, requirements or instruction 
  • Personal services and transportation are the student’s responsibility
  • Counseling: Academic, Career, Personal and Disability Management
  • Priority Registration
  • Liaison with Campus & Community Agencies
  • Assessment and Evaluation for Learning Disabilities
  • Note-taking Accommodations
  • Test-taking Accommodations
  • Adapted Computer Assistance and Training
  • Print Enlargement, Braille Materials, Alternate Text Formatting
  • Interpreters, Assistive Listening Devices, Real-time Captioning
  • Adapted Furniture, Mobility Support
  • SPS 115 – Alternative Learning Strategies
  • SPS 710NC – Memory and Attention Skills
  • SPS 715NC – Learning Development
  • SPS 716NC – Study Skills for Learning Success
  • SPS 725NC – Basic Computational Skills
  • SPS 730NC – Writing & Reading Development for College Success
  • SPS 760NC – Adapted Computer Lab


NOTE: Not all classes are offered every semester.

  • KNEA 1 – Adapted Strength Training
  • KNEA 3 – Adapted Cardiovascular Conditioning
  • KNEA 4 – Adapted Stretching & Core Training
  • KNEA 5 – Adapted Swimming
  • KNEA 6 – Adapted Sports
  • KNEA 7 – Adapted Water Exercise & Aerobics
  • KNEA 8 – Adapted Outdoor Education & Recreation
  • KNEA 9 – Adapted Yoga
  • KNEA 107 – Survey & Assessment Fitness


Visit the Adapted Kinesiology Page

  • AEWD 771NC- Mobility Skills
  • AEWD 772NC- Independent Living Skills
  • AEWD 773NC- Job Skills
  • AEWD 774NC- Self Advocacy Skills
  • AEWD 775NC- Computer Skills Lab
  • AEWD 776NC- Fund. of Independent Living Skills
  • AEWD 777NC- Basic Community Skills
  • AEWD 778NC- Intro to Functional Academic Skills
  • AEWD 781NC- Personal Safety
  • AEWD 782NC- Personal Budgeting & Banking
  • AEWD 783NC- Communication in the Workplace
  • AEWD 784NC- Critical Thinking Skills
  • AEWD 785NC- Healthy Relationships
  • AEWD 786NC- Career Goals & Job Exploration
  • AEWD 787NC- Career Planning & Job Search
  • AEWD 788NC- Intro to Employability Skills


Visit the OASIS | Adults With Disabilities Page

  • COUN 1 – Academic Planning
  • COUN 40 – Educational & Vocational Planning
  • COUN 60 – Career & Vocational Exploration
  • COUN 61 – Learning and Study Techniques
  • COUN 100 – College Success
     
  • TU 300 – Supervised Tutoring
  • ENG 333A/B/C – Reading Skills Lab
  • Assist students with disabilities in making the transition from high school to Saddleback College as smooth as possible.  
  • Goal: To prepare students for fall priority registration (in May) with their accommodations and planned courses established.
  1. Complete online DSPS Application
  2. Attach Verification of Disability to your DSPS Application. Examples of acceptable documentation include, but are not limited to:
    • IEP and Psycho-educational or Multi-disciplinary Report
    • Note from doctor or medical provider
    • 504 Plan
  3. Attach unofficial high school transcript as well

 

CAP Priority Deadline: December 15, 2023

  1. Online Orientation (as soon as you have an ID#)
  2. In-person or synchronous online student Advisement with completion of a First Semester Educational Plan and placement into English and math using the Guided Self Placement (GSP) tool or reviewing your high school transcript


Visit Matriculation Page for Detailed Instructions

The Matriculation Process

  • Students cannot register for fall classes until all matriculation steps are completed
  • Matriculation steps must be completed by May 7, 2024 to be eligible for priority registration for Fall 2024
  • Completing steps on time also allows for individual academic counseling prior to registering for classes
  • Throughout Spring 2024, students may have individual appointments with LD Specialists and/or DSPS Counselors on the following items:
    • Intake/Saddleback College Information
    • Accommodations/Services
    • Matriculation and Placement
    • Academic Counseling
  • Appointments vary by student need, and are scheduled on an individual basis

January – April

  • Matriculation steps are being completed
  • Appointments are occurring on an individually scheduled basis.
    • You must attend your scheduled appointments to participate in the rest of the process and be ready to register for Fall 2024 by the priority registration date.
    • Be sure to check your emails, voicemails, and texts regularly for messages from our office.

May

  • Priority Registration begins online for Fall 2024.
  • Register at the earliest possible time provided to you via MySite (go to “My Information”, then “Appointments” to view registration time) to maximize chances of a course schedule that accommodates your disability related needs
  • If you are a Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) client, contact DSPS immediately after registering to obtain a fee deferral for DOR payment of registration fees as needed

August

  • Buy or rent your books (keep your receipts)
  • If authorized, meet with the Alternate Media Specialist to arrange for books in alternate formats
  • Find your classrooms for any in-person classes
  • Practice logging into Canvas for online classes
  • Fall classes begin August 19, 2024
  • Do not miss any part of the first week of classes or you may be dropped
  • Schedule a minimum of 2-3 hours per unit, per week for studying.
    • Example: 3 unit class
    • In-class time = 3 hours per week  
    • Study time = 6 hours per week 
    • Total time: 9 hours per week for a 3-unit class
  • If you take 12 units, total time to budget is 36 hours per week.

NOTE: Consider your work schedule and other commitments when selecting your course load

  • All student information is confidential – regardless of the student’s age
  • Transcript is “forever yours”
  • Grades may impact future academic plans
  • A student whose grade point average in all units attempted is less than 2.0 is placed on academic probation
  • A student whose percentage of W/I/NP grades reaches or exceeds 50% of all units enrolled is placed on progress probation
  • A student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 2.0 in three consecutive semesters shall be subject to dismissal
  • Parking permits are required 
  • Daily $5 or Semester $40
  • A Security Escort Service is provided between classrooms and other areas of the campus by calling 949-582-4585
  • See Parking Services for updates 
Tuition (due at registration)

$46 per unit

(Ex: 12 units = 12 x $46  =  $552)
Books & Supplies Approx. $0 to $250 per class

(Sample total for 4 classes = $500)
   
Parking $40
Health Fee $26
ASB Card (optional) $10
Student Representation Fee (optional)             $2
TOTAL $1130

NOTE: Costs are subject to change.

Applications will be available in December 2023

  • •    California College Promise Grant (CCPG) Fee Waiver
  • •    Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Dream Act Application
  • •    Scholarships


Visit the Financial Aid Office Page for Details and Deadlines

  • Saddleback College promises to pay the first two years of college for eligible full-time students or up to three years for eligible part-time students. Registration fees, support for book costs, health fee, and ASB stamp are included! 
  • The Full-Time Promise Program typically requires students to be enrolled in at least 12 units per semester; however, students with verified disabilities may be authorized a reduced course load accommodation and can then participate in the Full-Time Promise Program with less than 12 units
  • See the Promise Program website for Eligibility Criteria, To-Do List, Deadlines, FAQs, and more details: https://www.saddleback.edu/apply-pay/promise-program

2023-2024 Estimated Cost of Attendance

The estimated cost of attendance at Saddleback College includes an estimate for tuition and fees, books
and supplies as well as basic living expenses like food and housing, and personal and miscellaneous
expenses. Your actual expenses may be higher or lower than the amounts listed below.

Expenses Living With Parents (2 Semesters) Living Away from Parents (2 semesters)
Tuition & Fees $1,426 $1,426
Books & Supplies $938 $938
Living Expenses: Food & Housing $12,656 $22,670
Personal & Misc. $3,608 $4,428
Transportation $1,612 $1,764
Total Resident $20,240 $31,226
Total Non-Resident $32,540 $43,526
Expenses Living with Parents Living Away from Parents
Tuition & Fees $709 $709
Books & Supplies $312 $312
Living Expenses: Food & Housing $4,218 $7,557
Personal & Misc. $1,203 $1,476
Transportation $537 $588
Total Resident $6,979 $10,642
Total Non-Resident $13,129 $16,792
Expenses Living With Parents Living Away from Parents
  Summer Fall & Spring Summer Fall & Spring
Tuition & Fees $1,426 $709 $1,426 $709
Books & Supplies $938 $312 $938 $312
Transportation $1,612 $537 $1,764 $588
Total Resident $3,976 $1,558 $4,128 $1,609
Total Non-Resident $16,275 $7,708 $16,428 $7,759
  • Enrollment Fee: $46 per unit
    • Based on 15-units for Fall, Spring and Summer
  • Health Fee $26 for Fall and Spring, $22 for Summer
  • Non-Resident Tuition (in addition to the $46 per unit enrollment fee): $410 per unit ($365 non-resident tuition fee + $45 capital outlay fee)
  • Estimated cost of attendance may be adjusted for documented circumstances such as dependent care expenses, purchase of a computer, and other special circumstances (except for students enrolled less than half-time)

Optional fees

  • ASG Sticker - $10
  • Student Representation Fee - $2.00 (per semester)
  • Parking Permit Fee
  • Instructional Material Fees - as listed in the Schedule of Classes