FAQ

The STEPP Program is a comprehensive support program that serves college students with documented learning disabilities (LD). The program offers access and comprehensive academic support to a select number of motivated and committed students who show the potential to succeed in college. The STEPP Program provides intensive supports well beyond the services legally required at the university level.

Naturally, anyone can submit an application. However, applicants who do not meet the criteria below are not eligible for consideration.

The student must have a documented learning disability and be eligible for services under the category of Specific Learning Disability (LD) through ECU’s Department of Disability Support Services. In most cases, a student who is eligible for the STEPP Program will have a diagnosis that uses one of the following terms: Reading Disorder, Dyslexia, Disorder of Written Expression, Dysgraphia, Math Disorder, or Dyscalculia.

The student must be following a college preparatory academic track in high school and meet the minimum course requirements of ECU. Students in the Occupational Course of Study (or other technical preparatory track) are not eligible to apply straight out of high school, although they may be eligible to transfer after completing at least one year at a community college.

Any student who meets these criteria is eligible to apply for the STEPP Program. However, many factors are considered in the review process, and submitting an application does not guarantee that a student will be accepted. Please note that the STEPP Program does not have an open-door admissions policy.

It depends. The STEPP Program serves only students with documented learning disabilities who are eligible for services under the category of Specific Learning Disability (LD) through ECU’s Department of Disability Support Services. ADHD does not fall under this category based on the official criteria we use at the STEPP Program. Therefore, a student whose only diagnosis is ADHD will not be eligible to apply to the program. However, please keep in mind that some students may be diagnosed with ADHD in addition to a specific learning disability. In such a case, the student would most likely be eligible to apply to the STEPP Program. In most cases, a student who is eligible for the STEPP Program will have a diagnosis that uses one of the following terms: Reading Disorder, Dyslexia, Disorder of Written Expression, Dysgraphia, Math Disorder, or Dyscalculia. Some students with a diagnosis of Auditory/Visual Processing Disorder or Nonverbal Learning Disability are also eligible. However, please note that having one of the diagnoses listed here does not automatically guarantee that a student will be eligible for the STEPP Program. Furthermore, even students with clear-cut diagnoses of LD may or may not be a good fit with the STEPP Program’s supports.

*We most often get this question in regard to students with ADHD. Other disorders that we are commonly asked about include Autism, Asperger’s syndrome, Anxiety Disorders, Deafness/Hearing Impairment, Cerebral Palsy, and various medical diagnoses. Please note that the same answer applies to all disorders/diagnoses other than Specific Learning Disability.

Yes, the STEPP Program welcomes applications from out-of-state students. We do not currently have any restrictions on our ratio of in-state to out-of-state students, so our admission decisions are made on the basis of a student’s fit with the program, not their residency.

The STEPP Program does not offer spring semester admission. All students who are accepted to the program must enter ECU in the fall semester. Students typically apply to STEPP during their junior year of high school. This schedule enables us to provide a full year of transition support following a student’s acceptance. In addition, it ensures that all students in the STEPP Program enter ECU along with a full cohort of other first-year students who will be enrolled in several classes together.

Students must apply to the STEPP Program and participate in the program’s transition supports before entering ECU. If you are a student with a learning disability who is currently attending ECU and needs additional support, we recommend contacting the ECU Department for Disability Support Services for guidance.

The main criteria that the STEPP Program considers as part of the application process include: high school courses and grades, psychological/psychoeducational evaluation, IEP (or 504 Plan), SAT or ACT scores, personal essay, teacher recommendations, and personal interview. We consider each application individually and consider the overall strength of each student’s application within the context of the program’s supports and the demands of a university education. Because some of our students are admitted on a special talents waiver, we do have a bit of flexibility with ECU’s admissions criteria. However, to be a strong candidate, a student will need to meet most of ECU’s traditional criteria.

The STEPP Program accepts 10 new students per year. We generally receive significantly more applications than the number of spaces we have available. The STEPP Program Advisory Board considers each application on a case-by-case basis and looks at a number of factors beyond the criteria used in traditional college admissions. Although the STEPP Program does accept some students who are not traditionally eligible for admission to East Carolina University, a student’s grades, SAT or ACT scores, and high school curriculum do still carry weight in our deliberations. Students who are invited to participate in the program are typically dedicated and motivated individuals who come fairly close to meeting ECU’s admissions criteria but fall a bit short in one or two areas.

Once we receive all of a student’s application materials, s/he is added to our list of applicants. After the application deadline has passed, our Advisory Board completes an initial screening of each student, taking into account all of the application materials. Based on that information, we decide which students will move on to the second phase of the application process, which is an on-campus personal interview. After the on-campus interviews are completed, the Advisory Board meets to conduct an in-depth review of the candidates. After this meeting, students may be asked to submit additional information (via mail, email, or phone conversation) or to participate in a second interview. Then, final decisions are made about which students will be invited to participate in the program. Students who are invited will be notified by mail and will be given a deadline to decide whether they want to commit to participating in the STEPP Program. Once a student has committed to participate, s/he must then submit an official ECU application through the Admissions Office. This step must be completed before a student can officially be accepted to ECU. The STEPP Program also establishes a waiting list of students who are a good match for the program but who are not invited to participate. If an invited student does not commit to participate, a student on the waiting list can then be invited to take his/her place.

Come visit us! We offer a number of group information sessions each semester. At these events, prospective students and families can learn about the STEPP Program in more detail, tour our office, and meet some of our staff and students. Read about the information sessions details and registration.

We also offer a “Virtual Open House” option for anyone who can’t physically come to campus. Details about and dates of these webinars can also be found on the site..

In the meantime, you can also contact us anytime for more information!