Moss Scholars Program - Bradley University

Who We Are

Moss Scholars provides a fee based educational program that combines appropriate supports to assist college ready neurodiverse students in gaining skills that will allow them to be independent and successful students. The Moss Scholars student will work with an executive function coach to focus on: time management, planning/prioritization, organization, task initiation, goal-directed persistence, flexibility, and self-advocacy skills. The program emphasizes academics, social skills, health/well-being and transition after college to help prepare students to be a confident, empowered, and contributing member to their communities.

Learn More

College readiness can be described as the level of preparation a student needs to enroll and succeed at a university in a credit-bearing general education course. This includes the ability and preparedness to navigate academic, personal, social, and practical demands of college life with increasing independence and confidence. Moss Scholar candidates should arrive on campus having the foundational skills to live and attend classes independently, as well as the willingness to seek support from executive function coaches, professors, and support staff to learn, adapt, grow, and successfully navigate the Bradley college experience.

Program Services

Pre-Campus Arrival

Moss Scholar parents/families will have opportunities to meet the coaches and ask questions during once a month check-ins (June, July, and August). In addition, incoming Moss Scholar students will meet with their Executive Function Coach for a virtual meeting prior to moving in, allowing coaches to get to know students as individuals, discuss learning styles, and address concerns and goals before students arrive on campus.

Fall Semester B-Prep

First semester Moss Scholar students will move to Bradley’s campus a week before other students. They will engage in learning activities, workshops, and be encouraged by Moss Scholar mentors.

Spring Semester B-Prep

All returning students, regardless of year or level within the Moss Scholar program, will be required to attend a one-day intensive before the spring semester begins. We will review what went well the previous semester and where to make adjustments.

Organize digital platforms
Walk through class schedule
More in depth campus tour of specific areas
Meet with Student Access Services to determine accommodations
Purchase books and materials
Guest speakers from across campus
Social opportunities before fall classes begin
Workshops
Master the Learning Management System Bradley Canvas
One-on-one student and coach meetings, as needed

What do coaching sessions look like?

Individualized weekly meetings with your designated coach
Build executive functioning skills such as time management, organization, and prioritization
Student-focused academic case management, including checking online school systems to track due dates
Organizational assistance with semester planning, weekly schedules, and weekly checklists
Break down large assignments into more manageable pieces
Assistance with course registration and campus-wide deadlines
Assistance with communication with advisors, instructors, and other campus resources
Suggestions for study habits, study skills, workshop attendance, and encouragement to engage with university supports and resources
Teach and model self-advocacy through connecting with staff, tutoring, Supplemental Instruction, Writing Center, Presentation Center, Counseling, and Health Services
Set academic and personal goals
Schedule exams through Student Access Services

Housing

If you are interested in living near other Moss Scholars, Geisert or Lovelace Hall are for you! Geisert Hall has double rooms, a lounge on each floor, and a cafeteria in the basement.
Lovelace Hall is single occupancy and next to Geisert Hall.
If you have questions about housing or roommate matches please check your Bradley email for the ZeeMee application. For additional questions, please contact your Moss Scholar coach.

Weekly Meal

Meet with our GA and other Moss Scholars!

Social Events

Connect with other Moss Scholars for scheduled activities! We go to laser tag, escape rooms, painting, and more.

Transitioning marks a pivotal moment where graduates embark on their professional journey. This period involves navigating career choices, seeking employment opportunities, and adapting to new responsibilities and environments. It’s a time for graduates to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during their academic years, while also honing interpersonal skills and leveraging networking opportunities. We work hard to ensure the transitions is smooth as possible and involve exploring various career paths, accessing mentorship and professional development programs, and embracing continuous learning to thrive in their chosen fields.

Things to Consider:

Neurodiverse training for interviews and how to behave in work situations

Assistance with finding internships and job search

Additional Links

Resources

Apply to Moss Scholars

Items you will need for the application:

Moss Scholars Application
Documentation
Psychoeducation Assessment/Neuropsychological Evaluation/IEP/504 Plan
Applicant Personal Statement
Virtual Interview

Apply Now to the Moss Scholars Program

Students that would like to participate in the Moss Scholars program must be current or admitted students to Bradley University. Students will be required to complete a Moss Scholars application, submit documentation, complete a student and parent executive functioning skills questionnaire, submit a student personal statement and attend a virtual interview with Moss Scholars staff.

Until all steps of the application process have been completed, students will be considered pending with Moss Scholars and will not be eligible for services. Incomplete applications will be kept for one semester and then destroyed. The student may, however, begin the application process again at any time.

Fees

All newly admitted Moss Scholars students will be enrolled in Level One and as students gain skills, they can progress through varying levels of coaching based on their specific needs. On a semester basis, the Executive Function Coach and student will meet to discuss the student’s progress and if the student will transition to a different level of support in each upcoming semester. Prior to the start of the semester, Moss Scholars program service fees will be billed to the student’s Bradley University Bursar account.

Level One – $3,500

Individualized weekly meetings with coach
Multiple check-in guidance (phone, text or teleconference)
Enhanced monitoring, supervision and engagement with coach
Student-focused academic case management, schedule registration and deadlines
Assistance with communication with advisors, instructors, and other campus resources
Organizational assistance with semester planning, weekly schedules, and weekly checklists
Creation of to-do lists, rubrics, chunking of large projects, papers or assignments
Suggestions for study habits, study skills, workshop attendance and encouragement to engage with university supports and resources
Technological assistance with coursework such as specific logins, apps and reminders to review online classroom platforms

Level Two – $2,500

Individualized weekly meeting and check-in with coach
Virtual check in and guidance
Student-focused academic case management, schedule registration and deadlines
Assistance with communication with advisors, instructors, and other campus resources
Organizational assistance with semester planning, weekly schedules, and weekly checklists

Level Three – $1,500

Individualized monthly coaching meetings and workshops
Student-focused academic case management, schedule registration and deadlines
Assistance with communication with advisors, instructors, and other campus resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is required to be in the Moss Scholars Program?

A: Students who identify as neurodiverse, are college-ready, and would like to participate in the Moss Scholars program must be current or admitted students to Bradley University. Students will be required to complete a Moss Scholars application. Admittance will be determined if the program benefits the individual student’s needs, and if the student is coachable.

Q: How do I apply to be a part of the Moss Scholars Program?

A: Students interested in enrolling in Moss Scholars should contact the director of Moss Scholars to schedule a meeting to discuss their interest in the program. Virtual conferences can be scheduled if the student is not able to meet on campus.

Q: Can students use financial aid they may be awarded towards the cost of the Moss Scholars Program?

A: The Moss Scholar bill will be wrapped into the cost of Bradley; therefore, funds used to pay for your Bradley University bill can be used to pay for the program.

Q: Do students in the Moss Scholars Program take the same classes as other Bradley University students?

A: Yes, students enrolled in Moss Scholars take the same classes and have the same program requirements and expectations as students who are not enrolled in the program. Moss Scholars is NOT a special education program.

Q: If I participate in the Moss Scholars Program my first semester at Bradley University, do I have to remain in the program for the whole time I am enrolled at Bradley University?

A: No, students are under no obligation to remain in Moss Scholars. Eligible students may fluctuate between different stages of the program each semester according to the number of credit hours they have and other personal factors. The Executive Function Coach can help eligible students choose the stage that is best for them once they have registered for classes. Students may also choose to step out of the Moss Scholars program and then return provided they still meet the eligibility requirements.

Q: Can student athletes and/or honors students participate in the Moss Scholars program?

A: Yes, athletes and/or honors students can participate in Moss Scholars.

Q: Can students with disabilities request accommodations without being in the Moss Scholars Program?

A: Yes, students with disabilities may request disability-related accommodations without being in Moss Scholars. Students with disabilities should connect with the Office of Student Access Services to initiate the accommodation request process. All accommodations are evaluated on an individual basis.

Q: I do not identify as being a neurodiverse student, can I still have the support of the Moss Scholars Program?

A: Students that identify as neurodiverse (students with ASD, ADHD or learning different) are eligible for the program. Students who suspect they may have an undiagnosed disability may contact the Office of Student Access Services for referrals or suggestions to community resources that can provide neuropsychological assessments and other evaluations.