Student Resources
Brazos Valley Center for Independent Living
The Brazos Valley Center for Independent Living (BVCIL) is a consumer based, consumer-controlled, cross-disability, cross-cultural, non-residential, private nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose mission is to promote the full inclusion and participation of individuals with disabilities in all aspects of community life.
BVCIL was funded in October 2010 to address state-level priorities for providing independent living services to un-served or under-served populations in the counties of:
- Brazos,
- Burleson,
- Madison,
- Robertson, and
- Washington.
They are a community-based resource center for individuals of any age with any type of disability or chronic health issue. Some of the services provided include:
- Information & referral: BVCIL is the go-to place for disability-related information in the Brazos Valley.
- Independent living skills training: Classes for learning the basic skills of independence such as money, cooking, and using public transportation.
- Peer support: Connecting and sharing experiences with others to provide support and help solve problems.
- Advocacy: Connecting people to the skills and knowledge needed to understand and exercise rights and responsibilities.
- Transition services: Helping individuals navigate significant life transitions;
- Relocating from a nursing home or institution into a community-based living arrangement.
- Helping individuals at risk of moving into a nursing home or institution to remain in the community.
- Assisting young adults as they transition from high school into adulthood.
The Aggie Experience
Texas A&M is known throughout the world as an exceptional public university. A&M has deeply seeded traditions centered on service to others. PATHS students are expected to be a part of the Aggie tradition to support and serve others through participation with a Texas A&M service organization.
The PATHS certificate program will be offered on the Texas A&M University College Station campus and, although the program is not a four-year degree program, students should explore the numerous opportunities at A&M to broaden their own networks through service to others. Time will be permitted as part of the curriculum to participate with service organizations and report these experiences back to other students in the program.
Tuition Assistance & Scholarships
Tuition Assistance is available through various agencies. Check with your counselor for more information on receiving tuition assistance from agencies. Scholarships are awarded to students based on available funds. If you are not receiving funding from a third-party source and you are interested in applying for a scholarship, please contact our staff to apply for a scholarship. There are a limited number of scholarships available, so priority will be given to students who apply by the priority deadline.
Guardianship
Our goal is for students to be independent and be able to make their own life choices. In order for PATHS students to participate in the Practicum portion of the program, they are required to be able to legally sign their names on contracts. Students whose parents or guardians have full legal guardianship do not have the legal right to sign their name on the job application. Only applicants who are their own legal guardian are eligible to apply to the PATHS Program.
Housing Options
- There is a wide range of housing options available for PATHS students coming from other parts of Texas. Staff will assist students to locate housing options available in the College Station area as well as public transportation that is widely available throughout Bryan/College Station.
- Students who are receiving support from agencies should check with their counselor regarding funding options for housing and other living supports. There are several apartment complexes in College Station that are currently working with agencies to offer housing supports for clients.
- Those students who receive Home and Community Based Services (HCS) or other Medicaid waiver services from other parts of Texas have the opportunity to transfer the housing and other community living supports from their home provider to a provider in the Bryan/College Station area.
- The PATHS Program is not a provider of student housing. Staff will support students to locate appropriate housing, however PATHS is not directly responsible for the supervision or oversight of housing for students.
- Students needing highly accessible housing may consider visiting the following recommended housing facilities.