Kellar Institute for Human DisAbilities (KIHd) - College of Education and Human Development - George Mason University
About KIHd
About Us

The Kellar Institute for Human DisAbilities (KIHd) is an interdisciplinary campus-based organization focusing on improving the lives and productivity of children and adults with disabilities. KIHd combines the resources of the university with local, state, regional, national, public, and private sector agencies and organizations to develop products, services, and programs for persons with disabilities.

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Licensure, Certificates & Training Grants

The Kellar Institute for Human DisAbilities (KIHd) collaborates with a consortium of Virginia universities to offer training/licensure options for teachers of students with visual impairments and severe disabilities. Distance education makes the programs more accessible and maximizes the number of individuals who can receive the training.

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students, parents, professionals attending state of the art conference
VDOE Grants

With the support from Virgina Department of Education KIHd serves teachers, parents, therapists, and community service providers by providing a variety of continuing learning experiences via annual workshops, conferences, and project activities. In many cases, KIHd uses distance education to provide teacher training and professional development across the state.

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Project We Got It
Research

The Kellar Institute for Human DisAbilities (KIHd) continues to build and support numerous educational research projects that vary across disciplines spearheaded by the Mason faculty members. Our goal is to increase evidence based instructional and behavioral strategies to improve academic outcomes for all students with disabilities.

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Leadership Grants
DOCTORAL AND MASTERS STUDENTS

The Kellar Institute for Human DisAbilities (KIHd) doctoral and masters students conduct cutting edge research at George Mason University that is aimed to serve persons with disabilities and their families.

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ASPIRE Financial Support

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ASPIRE Financial Support

Can I apply for ASPIRE, but use the financial support for another doctoral program at Mason in special education or another field? More Less
No. Applicants should make sure that ASPIRE matches their career goals and doctoral path.
How much of the tuition is paid from the grant? More Less
100% of the ASPIRE tuition is paid from the grant.
Are there other types of financial support available through ASPIRE? More Less
Yes. ASPIRE scholars receive an annual package of $35,000, which includes a fellowship of $21,000 and full tuition paid from the grant (approximately $14,000 per year). ASPIRE scholars also receive financial support to offset or cover expenses for attendance and participation in national conferences and development of research materials. Graduate Research Assistant positions (see next query) may also be available, which increase financial support.
Must I work as a 10-hour per week or 20-hour per week Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) to be eligible for or accepted as a participant for ASPIRE? More Less
No. However, if you would like to increase professional experiences through working with one of the Co-PIs or another faculty member as a GRA, that would do two things for you. First, you earn a modest salary. For the current year (2019-2020), a 10-hour-per-week GRA earns $8,000 for the academic year (fall and spring semesters). A 20-hour-per-week GRA, who works with two faculty members, earns $16,000 per academic year. Being a GRA increases your financial income. Second, GRA experiences are designed for you to "apprentice" with one or more faculty members conducting research, so you acquire knowledge and skills related to the design, development, implementation, and/or analyses of research.
Possible ASPIRE Financial Packages
ASPIRE Annual Fellowship*$21,000$21,000$21,000
Full Tuition Year 1*$14,000$14,000$14,000
GRA 10-hours-per-week** $8,000
GRA 20-hours-per-week** $16,000
TOTAL$35,000$43,000$51,000
*Approximate minimal amounts. Will increase across academic years.
**GRA positions are optional and dependent on availability.
NOTE: Financial packages as shown do not yet include funds for scholars’ travel and expenses for presentations at national conferences and development of research materials.