Complete Program Cost per Resident
Annually
| Maine Residents* | $16.110.75 |
| Non Maine Residents | $95,165.12 |
Tuition includes: housing, utilities, Southern Maine Community College classes, internet, cable TV, and spending money.
Upcoming Dates:
In-Person Open House Saturday, October 25, 2025
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
STRIVE U Application Deadline
February 1, 2026
STRIVE U ®
Is a comprehensive program aimed at teaching its residents necessary skills to live independently in the community.
STRIVE U is an admissions based program, and we would love to give you a tour and application. Please contact our Admissions Coordinator to arrange a tour and discuss admissions requirements.
For more information, please contact us at 207-774-6278 or admissions@pslstrive.org
If you are ages between
18 and 26
STRIVE U is founded on four main program areas:
Community Living
Employment
Learning valuable job skills through paid work experiences
Post-Secondary Education
Through a 4-course certificate program with Southern Maine Community College
Transition
Assuring the transition from STRIVE U into the community is successful and meaningful
Strive U Information
Competitive Employment - Real Job Experiences:
STRIVE U is committed to providing its residents with valuable, competitive work experience and the support needed to ensure successful professional experiences. Residents will be given the opportunity to experience a wide variety employment opportunities of value (both to employee and employer) focusing on areas in which residents express interest.
Our intention is to provide employment opportunities in areas other than the traditional ones open for people with developmental disabilities. STRIVE also provides extensive job preparation and training to complement the work experience.
Post-Secondary Education:
STRIVE U collaborates with Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) to provide an inclusive educational opportunity for STRIVE U residents. During their time at STRIVE U, residents complete a 4-course certificate program offered by SMCC. In the first semester, residents will enroll in a course at Southern Maine Community College focused on transition and immersion into college. This course will focus on goal setting, decision making, development of academic vision, and the responsibilities of adult learners. At the end of the semester, residents will be aware of options and ideas about how to implement the academic vision they develop over the semester.
In the second semester, Southern Maine Community College will provide an advisor/coordinator for STRIVE U residents to help guide them to identify personal and academic goals and how to meet their goals through collegiate academics. STRIVE U residents will have Southern Maine Community College student identification card and have full access to campus life.
In addition to Southern Maine Community College courses, STRIVE U residents also participate in learning group classes that focus on independence and independent living.
Independent Living in the Community:
Residents at STRIVE U will learn critical independent living skills in off-campus apartment buildings managed and staffed by STRIVE U. These apartments will serve as skills classrooms for independent living, training in money management, time management, independent travel, self-care, nutrition, health and wellness, and household management.
Each resident will have maximum independence and choices including the opportunity to make mistakes in a safe environment. It is our goal to teach each resident the skills and give each resident the confidence to live independently upon graduation from STRIVE U.
Transition:
Leading up to graduation, STRIVE U will assist graduates with housing and employment support if necessary. This will ensure that STRIVE U graduates are productive and fully participating members of the community. The transition process will take place throughout students 2 years at STRIVE U.
This will begin with enrollment and the creation of a written transition plan, including goals set by the individual. Upon graduation from STRIVE U and receiving the certificate of completion, students will have several things in place, including all factors identified in their transition plan.
Admisisons Timeline at STRIVE U
This year's STRIVE U admissions process offers a new, early admission opportunity for applicants! Important application dates and deadlines are below and applications are available now. Reach out today!
STRIVE U grants admission to those whose academic credentials, scholastic achievement, and personal motivation demonstrate a promise of success in its academic programs.
STRIVE U is a complete program not found anywhere else. STRIVE U is the only program in the nation for young adults with developmental disabilities that combines all four program areas of residential living, employment, transition, and post-secondary education. It is inclusive, comprehensive, and groundbreaking.
Residents admitted to STRIVE U will meet the following requirements:
- Be 18 years of age by the first day of the residential program and no older than 26 years of age on the first day of the residential program.
- Must meet eligibility guidelines for Adult Services established by the Department of Health and Human Services for the State of Maine for intellectual disability and/or autism.
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This program was created to provide a post-secondary opportunity for individuals for whom other options may not exist. True to that intent, preference will be given to individuals with IQ scores of 75 or below.
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- Produce three letters of recommendation, one from a teacher, one from an employer, and one personal (excluding relatives).
- By the start of the residential program, students must be their own legal guardian. They may, however, have additional supports in place to help with certain responsibilities, such as a representative payee for benefits, a healthcare proxy, or medical power of attorney for medical decisions, etc.
- Be able to complete his/her own application working as independently as possible.
- Agree to participate in an interview process.
- Agree to actively participate in an independent living skills assessment and any other required assessments, and meet the criteria established by STRIVE U.
- Have completed their Individual Education Plan (IEP) under IDEA at a certified secondary school.
- Be able to provide STRIVE U with a high school transcript or equivalent.
- Received a High School Diploma, Certificate of Completion, or equivalent from a certified secondary school.
- Demonstrate an interest in possessing educational, employment, and life experiences that are necessary to attain substantial independence upon graduation from STRIVE U.
- Have a proven ability to learn and participate in classroom situations and professional work settings.
- Be willing to abide by all the rules and policies set forth by STRIVE U – available upon request
- Meet immunization requirements for STRIVE U and our partner, Southern Maine Community College. Please note that this may change in accordance with a public health emergency.
- Student and family must consent to being filmed, video recorded, interviewed and/or quoted in media and publications
For more information, please contact (207) 774-6278 or email: admissions@pslstrive.org
Most all of our residents receive social security and use all of that towards their tuition, which typically covers almost half of the total. Additionally, the goal for residents is that they will have paid employment during their two years and those work wages can also be used toward tuition. Many residents come in to STRIVE U with scholarships that they have been awarded and those, too, may be used. We do have a small scholarship that residents apply for that can be used after they have entered the program. There is also a low interest loan program with Bangor Savings Bank.
Residents must have the first year completely paid before they can begin the second year. The second year must be completely paid before graduation.
*Lived in Maine for 12 consecutive months, for purposes other than education. Proof may be required.*
For more information, please contact (207) 774-6278 or email: admissions@pslstrive.org
Yes, you should still apply! Even if you're not sure you're ready, the application process itself can help you learn more about the program and about yourself. Going through the steps will give you practice in setting goals, reflecting on your strengths, and identifying areas to work on. If it turns out this isn't the right time, we can talk together about a plan for how you can better prepare in the future.
Our program does have a competitive application process, since there are more applicants than available spots. That said, we look at much more than grades or test scores. We want to understand each applicants's goals, strengths, and readiness to learn new skills. Even if you aren't accepted right away, the process can help you learn about yourself and create a plan for how to prepare for the future. Many applicants who don't get in the first time are successful when they reapply.
Yes! Many students who aren’t accepted the first time are successful when they apply again. In the meantime, we encourage you to use the feedback from the application process to build new skills, strengthen your independence, and prepare yourself for the next opportunity. Reapplying shows persistence and a real commitment to reaching your goals.
Yes, residents can spend the night off campus even if they have responsibilities the following day— however, the resident is responsible for making sure that they have rearranged their schedule so that they can take care of their responsibilities at a different time. Making mistakes and instituting natural consequences is part of the program.
Yes, residents will have the opportunity to travel once they’ve mastered the residential curriculum surrounding travel and planning. If the resident would not yet be able to make this trip safely, staff can help the resident find an alternative plan. In some instances, staff support may be provided.
Typically this is fine, once in a while. However, if it is a regular occurrence, the resident can become reliant on that additional income, which doesn’t allow the resident to learn to work within their budget. We work with the residents weekly to check their bank accounts and determine an appropriate budget for the week. Money concepts are difficult to teach, and the more time a resident has to learn what their budget will be like once they graduate, the more successful they will be. The residents all receive an $101 check that comes out of tuition which allows money for groceries, personal care items, and social activities.
If something is broken, the residents should let the STRIVE U Residential Care Director know right away. Staff also check in with the residents weekly to ask if there are any maintenance issues, and monthly during apartment walk-throughs. If a repair is needed and it is the landlord’s responsibility, STRIVE U will pay for the cost of the repair, however if maintenance or a repair is required because of misuse, the resident is responsible for the repair.
If a resident has a medical guardian, the medical guardian may be involved in all medical appointments, or as the guardian sees fit. Otherwise, the resident may choose whether he or she would like staff support in the appointment.
This is up to each residents' discretion.
We strongly encourage everyone to return by 11:00 p.m. so staff are available to provide support. The office is open from 9:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. Monday–Friday and 9:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. All residents are asked to sign out stating where they are going and when they will be returning. If a resident choose to stay out past the time the office is open, they are permitted to do so. In that case, we ask that the resident call to let us know they have returned to campus whenever that is.
Only fish in a ten gallon tank or smaller.
When the residents first enter the program, they will sit with one staff person and their roommate and discuss “apartment rules” that they will determine together. Circumstances such as a “guest policy”—does each roommate need to ask before inviting a guest over or may they just invite someone at their discretion, or whether or not they would like to share personal items such as DVDs. After that initial discussion, roommate meetings are available as needed to discuss anything related to the apartment. These conversations are facilitated by a staff member and cover topics such as cleaning supplies, apartment maintenance, and sharing the space.
If a resident is sick, staff will work with them to determine if a doctor’s appointment is necessary. If so, we work to schedule an appointment and support the residents to the appointment. Generally, if a resident is too ill to attend work or class, we recommend that they take the rest of the day to recover, which means that the resident may miss out on some social opportunities, but we teach the balance between working through a few sniffles and the need to take a day to rest and recover. If the resident is calling out sick, but is not actually sick, the resident will face natural consequences (job loss, loss of pay, falling behind in school work, etc.).
Yes—we work with the residents to treat time away from STRIVE U as “Vacation Time” and each resident is permitted to take 10–14 days per year at their discretion. We use this as an opportunity to teach the residents how to plan for vacations and to learn the appropriate way to request time off from work/volunteer positions and to discuss with staff what they will need to do ahead of time so that all responsibilities are met before taking a vacation.
The importance of good hygiene will be taught, both in the residential curriculum and through daily interactions with staff.
Residents are able to make their own decisions related to medical treatment. If a resident has a medical guardian, that person may be involved as well. Staff support residents to understand consequences of choices and talk through potential outcomes of decisions.
Yes, teaching healthy relationships is an important part of the STRIVE U curriculum, both friendships with peers and romantic relationships. Residents are taught healthy and safe ways to date and engage in relationships.
Residents who are 21 or older may have alcohol in their apartments if both they and their roommates meet the legal age requirement. Guests, however, are not permitted to bring alcohol into the residences. This policy reflects STRIVE U's philosophy of preparing residents for independent living, where alcohol is a part of many adult environments. By allowing it, staff can guide residents in making responsible choices, model healthy behaviors, and integrate substance abuse prevention and alcohol education into orientation and ongoing programming. Prohibiting alcohol altogether would send a conflicting message about trust and personal responsibility.
Yes, residents can have overnight visitors. Visitors will sign in with the residential staff. Staff will have the authority to say no to overnight guests if there is a health or safety concern. Guests are permitted to stay for one night; however, exceptions can be made for family members.
Residents are free to go out when they choose. In the early stages of the program, staff may accompany them as they learn the area and practice navigating safely, but over time the goal is for residents to build the skills and confidence to make these decisions and plan trips on their own.
Yes. Our goal is to give residents the skills to make these decisions and plan these trips safely.
Yes
In keeping with the program philosophy and federal guidelines, we cannot divulge certain types of information to parents without their child's consent. Information will be divulged when it’s appropriate and legal. The best source of information about the resident is the student themself.
It’s okay to refuse to participate, but the importance of trying new things will be discussed.
Residents are free to display what they like, however, it’ll be confined to personal space, i.e. their bedroom.
STRIVE U Alumni: If you want to keep in touch with news and social events, email info@pslstrive.org if you would like to be added to the email list of alumni students to be emailed.
Connect with STRIVE U Campus on Facebook to keep up with upcoming alumni events!
Check back here often for updates on Alumni information
Nye Street Campus
From the Maine Turnpike (I-95):From I-95 merge onto I-295 N via exit number 6A toward South Portland/ Portland Downtown. From I-295, take the US-1 S/ Forest Avenue/ ME-100 S exit—exit 6A. Turn right onto Forest Avenue/ US-1/ ME-100. Continue to follow Forest Avenue. Turn right onto Congress Street. Turn left onto Park Street. Turn left onto Nye Street.
We would be happy to show you around the Nye Street Campus. Tours are set up through our Office of Admissions. For more information, please contact (207) 774-6278 or
email at:admissions@pslstrive.org.
PSL Services/STRIVE Offices - Foden Road
The PSL Services/STRIVE Center is located at 28 Foden Road in South Portland, across from ON Semiconductor. It is only 10 minutes from downtown Portland and less than 5 minutes from the Maine Mall.
From Portland: Take I-295 South to Exit 3. Make a right at the end of the exit. At the second traffic light, make a right onto Western Avenue (Outback Steakhouse and Eggspectation Restaurant is on the right). At the next traffic light, make a right onto Foden Road. The PSL Services/STRIVE Center is 500 ft. on the right side.
From all other points: Take I-95 (Maine Turnpike) to Exit 7A. Make a right at the end of the exit. At the first traffic light, make a right. Proceed straight through the next traffic light (passing Staples plaza and the Coca-Cola Company). At the next traffic light, make a left onto Foden Road. The PSL Services/STRIVE Center is 500 ft. on the right side.