If you have any questions or need assistance with the DSPS Application or enrollment process, please feel free to contact us at (949) 582-4885 or scdsps@saddleback.edu,

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

  • Community College: open access
  • Founded in 1968
  • Enrollment in 2024: over 28,000 students
  • Over 280 Associate Degree, Certificate, and 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
  • 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
  • Currently serving about 1,800 enrolled students with verified disabilities
 K-12Higher Education/College
Type of LawIDEATitle 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		SuccessEqual 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
  • Specialized Counseling: Disability Management, Basic Academic, Career and Personal
  • Priority Registration
  • Liaison with Campus & Community Agencies
  • Assessment and Evaluation for Learning Disabilities
  • Note-taking Accommodations
  • Test-taking Accommodations
  • Adapted Computer Assistance and Training
  • Textbooks in audio and other alternate formats
  • Interpreters, Assistive Listening Devices, Real-time Captioning
  • Adapted Furniture, Mobility Support


NOTE: Accommodations are authorized based on the student’s individual disability-related needs.

  • 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 / KNEA 300NC – Adapted Strength Training
  • KNEA 3 – Adapted Cardiovascular Conditioning
  • KNEA 4 – Adapted Stretching and Core Training
  • KNEA 5 – Adapted Swimming
  • KNEA 6 – Adapted Sports
  • KNEA 7/ KNEA 310NC – Adapted Water Exercise and Aerobics
  • KNEA 8 – Adapted Outdoor Education and Recreation
  • KNEA 9 – Adapted Yoga
  • KNEA 10 – Adapted Dance


Visit the Adapted Kinesiology Page

  • AEWP 771NC- Mobility Skills
  • AEWP 772NC- Independent Living Skills
  • AEWP 773NC- Job Skills
  • AEWP 774NC- Self Advocacy Skills
  • AEWP 775NC- Computer Skills Lab
  • AEWP 776NC- Fund. of Independent Living Skills
  • AEWP 777NC- Basic Community Skills
  • AEWP 778NC- Intro to Functional Academic Skills
  • AEWP 781NC- Personal Safety
  • AEWP 782NC- Personal Budgeting & Banking
  • AEWP 783NC- Communication in the Workplace
  • AEWP 784NC- Critical Thinking Skills
  • AEWP 785NC- Healthy Relationships
  • AEWP 786NC- Career Goals & Job Exploration
  • AEWP 787NC- Career Planning & Job Search
  • AEWP 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
  • ENG 343NC – Academic Reading and Study Skills for
    Content Area Lab
  • ENG 190 – Academic Reading - Success and Strategies for
    College
  • 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.


Visit the College Access and Preparation (CAP) Page


Visit the Freshman Advantage Page

  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 your unofficial high school transcript as well if possible.

 

There is no deadline date to request DSPS services. CAP students are strongly
encouraged to apply and submit verification of disability documentation as soon as
possible to ensure that accommodations are in place before fall registration.

Steps to Completion:

  1. Online Orientation (as soon as you have an ID#)
  2. Placement into English and math using the Guided Self Placement (GSP) tool
  3. Online Advisement or in-person Group Advisement
  4. First Semester Plan 


See the Pre-registration Checklist for Detailed Instructions

  • Students cannot register for fall classes until all pre-registration steps are completed.
  • Pre-registration steps must be completed by May 5, 2026 to be eligible for priority registration for Fall 2026.
  • After completing the pre-registration steps, meet with a counselor for academic planning assistance prior to registering for classes.
  • Throughout Spring 2026, students may have individual appointments with LD Specialists and/or DSPS Counselors on the following items:
    • – Intake/Saddleback College Information
    • – Accommodations/Services
    • – First semester course planning
  • Appointments vary by student need, and are scheduled on an individual basis

January – April

  • Pre-registration steps are being completed
  • Counseling appointments scheduled in the Counseling Services Office to select courses for Fall 2026: https://www.saddleback.edu/student-support/counseling-services/makecounseling-appointment
  • DSPS 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 2026 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 2026.
  • Register at the earliest possible time provided to you to maximize chances of a course schedule that accommodates your disability related needs
  • If you are a Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) client and DOR is paying your registration fees, contact DSPS for a fee deferral immediately after registering for classes

August

  • 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 and are purchased through MySite
  • Daily $5,  Semester $40, or Annual $80
  • 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 and SuppliesApprox. $0 to $250 per class

(Sample total for 4 classes = $500)
  
Parking$40
Health Fee$26
ASB Card (optional)$17
Student Representation Fee (optional)            $2
TOTAL$1137

NOTE: Costs are subject to change.

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


2026/2027 FAFSA and CADAA Applications are available now.


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 to fill out the Interest Form, and see Eligibility Criteria, To-Do List, Deadlines, FAQs, and more details: https://www.saddleback.edu/applypay/promise-program.

2025-2026 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.

ExpensesLiving With Parents (2 Semesters)Living Away from Parents (2 semesters)
Tuition and Fees$1,432$1,432
Books and Supplies$1,089$1,089
Living Expenses: Food and Housing$13,942$25,461
Personal & Misc$4,140$5,067
Transportation$1,818$1,989
Total Resident$22,421$35,038
Total Non-Resident$36,921$48,538
ExpensesLiving with ParentsLiving Away from Parents
Tuition and Fees$574$574
Books and Supplies$363$363
Living Expenses: Food and Housing$4,627$8,487
Personal and Misc$1,380$1,689
Transportation$606$663
Total Resident$7,570$11,776
Total Non-Resident$12,970$17,170
ExpensesLiving With ParentsLiving Away from Parents
 

Fall and Spring

Summer

Fall and Spring

Summer

Tuition and Fees$1,432

$712

$1,432$712
Books and Supplies$1,089$363$1,089$363
Transportation$1,818$606$1.989$663
Total Resident$4,339$1,681$4,510$1,738
Total Non-Resident$17,839$7,081$18,010$7,138
  • Enrollment Fee: $46 per unit
    • Based on 15-units for Fall, Spring and 12-units for Summer
  • Health Fee $26 for Fall and Spring, $22 for Summer
  • Non-Resident Tuition (in addition to the $46 per unit enrollment fee): $450 per unit ($400 non-resident tuition fee + $50 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)