Are you ready to try out independent living, with support?
Independence College is a 9-month residential program specially designed to get you on the fast-track to long-term independent living and competitive wage employment.
Independence College by On My Own of Michigan® is a unique nine-month residential college-like experience for young adults with developmental disabilities, offering a safe, supported environment focused on graduating students right into successful, long-term independent living and competitive wage employment.
Independence College by On My Own of Michigan® has been carefully designed to give students:
- a college-like experience in a safe, supported environment,
- the skills necessary to successfully live on their own long-term and gain and maintain competitive wage employment of their choosing, and
- a community of supportive peers.
While attending Independence College, students live in an apartment with a fellow Independence College student, learn independent living and employment skills during the day, and engage in structured social activities and skill practice at night.
Each student has an individualized learning plan, receives hands-on classroom and in-home instruction, participates in supervised community-based learning and work experiences, and completes at-home skill practice.
Independence College curriculum includes (but is not limited to):
- life skills (personal management, getting up + ready independently, managing a schedule)
- employment skills (finding + keeping a job)
- safety (staying safe in the community + an apartment)
- money management (creating + sticking to a budget)
- health and wellness (self-care + coping strategies; making healthy meals; building an exercise habit; healthy relationships)
- communication and socialization (advocating for your needs; making + keeping friends)
- transportation (getting around the community with public transportation + ride shares)
- foundational skills like functional reading, language and math
Upon graduation, students are ready to continue living on their own and maintain meaningful employment.
Independence College by On My Own of Michigan® costs $50,000 for the 2026 - 2027 academic year.
A $5,000 non-refundable deposit is due by April 1st and will be applied to your total balance due.
Limited, partial need-based scholarships are available.
Tuition includes:
- shared housing
- meals + snacks
- our customized curriculum taught by experienced educators every weekday
- an individualized learning plan to support each student's long-term goals
- a semester of work-based learning at a location of the student's choosing
- weekly community outings and activities
- 24/7 emergency phone support
All students are required to be up-to-date with the following vaccinations before enrolling in Independence College:
- Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (DTP, DTaP, Tdap)
- Polio
- Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
- Hepatitis B
- Meningococcal Conjugate
- Varicella (chicken pox)
If you're interested in joining Independence College, begin the application process here.
Please contact Emily Lourim, Director of Education, at emily@onmyownofmi.org or (248) 649-3739 x 221.