Hiram G. Andrews Center (HGAC)
Do I have to take an entrance exam to be accepted?
HGAC accepts students if they have a high school diploma, possess a G.E.D., or who have passed the age of compulsory school attendance and can benefit from training received at HGAC. No formal entrance exam is required.
Normally, however, in order to best meet the educational needs of our students, most will participate in a two to three week vocational evaluation program at HGAC. During this time, students live on-campus in the dorms and take many tests to determine his or her strongest skills to aid the potential student to determine the best training program for him or her.
Living on the HGAC campus during the evaluation period, too, also gives the student a clear idea of what life at HGAC would be like if he or she is accepted into training.
What are the dorm rooms like?
Most students will share a dorm room with another student while he or she is here. HGAC is smoke free, with smoking areas provided outside the building.
Every dorm room has its own bathroom which is shared with the residents in the room next door. Clean, modernized shower rooms are located in each dorm and are accessible to students in wheelchairs.
All dorm rooms are outfitted with cable television and telephone lines. The student is responsible for the monthly fees.
Where do I get my meals?
Students residing at HGAC are provided with three meals each day from the cafeteria. A variety of items are available at meals, which are planned by a registered dietician and prepared by Commonwealth employees and students enrolled in the Culinary Arts curriculum.
Students requiring special meals due to health concerns will need to provide a physician's order and advanced notice to the counselor prior to admission to HGAC. The student will need to consult with the clinical dietician to plan his/her weekly menus. Due to the large number of meals the Food Service Department must provide on a daily basis, it is not possible to provide food preferences for reasons other than health. For students in this category, there are numerous restaurants and fast-food establishments in the area, many of which deliver to HGAC.
What kind of local transportation is available?
Johnstown is fortunate to have extremely good accessible public transportation. CamTram is Cambria County's public transportation authroity. CamTram has been a longtime partner with HGAC to help make public transportation for our students with disabilities easily accessible. All buses that stop at HGAC (which has its own bus stop right on premises) are wheelchair accessible. All CamTram drivers participate in programs about disability awareness. All students who are admitted to HGAC are provided training in the use of CamTram transportation.
The CamTram also offers a Reduced Transit Program, which allows students with disabilities to ride their buses at reduced fares during non-peak hours.
HGAC is also only minutes away from the Greyhound bus station and the Amtrak train station. Taxi service is available to Johnstown and surrounding areas. The Cambria County Area Municipal Airport is also conveniently located to.
What is the average class size?
The current class size averages between seven and 15 students.
How many students attend the school?
Approximately 400 students attend HGAC, about 100 of these as commuter students who do not live on-campus.
What do I do if I get sick or need medication?
The HGAC Health Clinic is open from 6:45 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. every day.
Every morning, students can report to "sick call" at the Health Clinic and see a doctor. Registered nurses are on-duty during the hours of operation to assist students who are ill, or make transportation arrangements if a student needs to go to the hospital.
HGAC is within minutes of Conemaugh Health Systems. Transportation for students who do not need an ambulance is made by the HGAC Security Department at no cost to the student.
Students have the option of purchasing their required medications through any local pharmacy, or they can choose to have their medications delivered to HGAC every afternoon, Monday through Friday. Most students have found this delivery service extremely helpful since it does not require them to travel to pick up their medications.
HGAC isn't close to where I live. How do I get back and forth during breaks and holidays?
This is a consideration all prospective students should consider when coming to HGAC. If you do not have transportation, your HGAC counselor will work with you to explore transportation options.
If I take part in Vocational Evaluation at HGAC, how long after I'm evaluated do I have to wait before starting classes?
Students are normally admitted to their training program or prevocational training at the start of the next term following an evaluation. If you are referred through OVR, your OVR counselor will review your training options so that you can make an informed decision regarding when and where to participate in training.
Will HGAC help me find a job once I graduate?
Your job search begins at HGAC. Through our Career Guidance Center (CGC), students have the opportunity to explore job opportunities with the assistance of HGAC's Placement Counselor. A free lifetime resume service is also offered to all CTI @ HGAC graduates. The CGC will help match a student's skills and qualifications to any position openings we receive, as well as any job for which the student himself applies. HGAC's Placement Counselor works to involve your referring agency in your placement during the final term of your education.
Will I have my own dormitory room?
HGAC has a limited number of private rooms. Students normally share a dorm room (although you can request a private room.) unless their counselor or sponsor can justify why a single room is needed. Students with disabilities requiring a private room are given priority if they are under a doctor's orders and the physician supplies a letter stating that he or she needs a single room.
Every room at HGAC, whether single or double, has a bathroom connected to the room.
Who will pay the bill for my training program?
For our students with disabilities who qualify, tuition for his or her training program may be paid by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation or Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services. The Veterans Administration also recognizes HGAC as a certified provider of post-secondary education services. In some instances, you may be required to complete a financial needs assessment to determine if a financial contribution is required by the sponsoring agency.
Students may also self-sponsor and pay the cost of tuition themselves.
Completion of financial aid forms for Pell and/or PHEAA, is mandatory for eligible training programs. If you are unsure whether or not you would qualify for tuition assistance, please call our Financial Aid Office at 800-762-4211 ext 8351 or 814-254-8351.
Must I stay there on weekends?
No. Students are free to come and go as they please. Our students are expected to govern their own conduct and keep their own curfews. HGAC has designated doors which are open at night for students coming in or going out, and security staff and dorm counselors are on duty, too, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to assist students and maintain their safety while at HGAC.
Why do you have classes in the summer?
HGAC instituted a policy of holding classes throughout the summer months rather than breaking and beginning again in the fall. This shortens a student's length of stay which means that he or she can begin using the skills learned in their training program sooner than if they would attend classes for 2 full years rather than 18 months.
Can I have my own computer in my room?
Students are welcome to bring a computer. Cable or modem access to the internet is possible at the student's expense.
What kind of financial aid can I apply for?
HGAC is approved to award Work Study, Pell and PHEAA grants to students who qualify.
Can I bring my bicycle, television, and refrigerator?
Due to fire regulations, items like refrigerators, hot plates, coffee pots, etc., are not permitted in the dorms, unless such an item is prescribed by a doctor. Students who need to keep medication refrigerated can keep their prescriptions in the Health Clinic. Each dorm TV lounge is equipped with a microwave oven available to all students.
Televisions and stereos are permitted. All dorm rooms are equipped with cable TV service. Students can subscribe to Johnstown's cable service provider for a monthly fee. A convenient payment box is located within HGAC.
You may bring your bicycle with you. Students may store their bicycles in the Recreation Department, where they can be chained and locked.
Can I use the credits earned at HGAC to transfer to another school upon completion of my program at HGAC?
It is the decision of the receiving school as to whether to accept transfer credits. Penn Highlands Community College does accept HGAC credits as do several four-year colleges. Each case must be reviewed, however, on an individual basis.
What are your holiday periods?
Term and holiday breaks at HGAC occur regularly throughout the year, and all State-recognized holidays (11 in all) are a day off for students as well as employees. There is a minimum one-week break between terms.
Term breaks follow this pattern:
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Spring Break - one week at the end of April
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Summer Break - about 8 days at the end of August
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Fall Break - Wednesday before Thanksgiving to the following Tuesday
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Winter Break - day before Christmas to the first full week in January
How can I find out more?
You can reach us at HGAC by calling us toll-free at 800-762-4211, locally at 814-255-8200.
Are tours available?
Yes, call 800-762-4211 ext 0645 or 814-254-0645 to arrange for tours, which are offered daily Monday through Friday.
