| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 51.50 |
| Liaison | Elaine Durr |
| Submission Date | Feb. 27, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Elon University
PA-7: Affordability and Access
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.53 / 4.00 |
Brooke
Barnett Associate Provost, Academic and Inclusive Excellence, Professor Office of the Provost; Communications |
Does the institution have policies and programs to make it accessible and affordable to low-income students?:
A brief description of any policies and programs to minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students:
The Odyssey Scholars Program is Elon’s main avenue for this work.
The Odyssey Scholars Program, which is part of the Center for Access and Success, is a highly selective merit-based program consisting of talented individuals who are academically strong, civically engaged, action-oriented leaders in their communities, who will benefit from an Elon education and demonstrate financial need.
https://www.elon.edu/e/admissions/undergraduate/financial-aid/odyssey-program.html
A brief description of any programs to equip the institution’s faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:
The Center for Access and Success helps students from all backgrounds to have access to and succeed in higher education. The Center in partnership with CATL has hosted several sessions for faculty and staff on working with students from low-income backgrounds and first generation college students. They also have a number of faculty and staff who volunteer in the Village and Elon Academy.
https://www.elon.edu/u/academics/access-and-success/
A brief description of the institution’s programs to guide and prepare students and families from low-income backgrounds for higher education:
The Elon Academy is a college access and success program for academically promising high school students in Alamance County with a financial need and/or no family history of college.
The Academy includes three consecutive summer residential experiences prior to the sophomore, junior and senior years, as well as year-round Saturday programs for students and families. The summer after high school graduation, scholars and families participate in the Elon Academy Transitions to College Program. Once on their respective college campuses, Elon Academy graduates and families are provided with continuing support through the Elon Academy College Success Program to ensure college completion.
http://www.elon.edu/e-web/academics/elon_academy/default.xhtml
A brief description of the institution's scholarships for low-income students:
The Odyssey Scholars Program, which is part of the Center for Access and Success, is a highly selective merit-based program consisting of talented individuals who are academically strong, civically engaged, action-oriented leaders in their communities, who will benefit from an Elon education and demonstrate financial need.
Throughout the four-year program, scholars have many networking opportunities with fellow scholars and Odyssey alumni. They have a first-year summer orientation, annual retreats, attend monthly class meetings, get involved in one-on-one academic and career planning meetings, and maintain an academic and leadership portfolio. Additionally, the program includes a stipend for books and supplies, and a one-time $4,000 Global Study grant to be used for an approved study abroad or Study USA program.
https://www.elon.edu/e/admissions/undergraduate/financial-aid/odyssey-program.html
A brief description of the institution’s targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:
The Admissions Office annually assesses it’s travel schedule to make certain that each staff member responsible for a geographic territory is including new schools to the travel schedule annually. These schools are often those where a high percentage of students are receiving free and reduced lunch. In addition, the university partners with a growing number of Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and hosts campus visits for groups that travel. Admissions staff members routinely visit CBO offices throughout the fall recruitment cycle as well. The Odyssey Program has a growing number of scholarships each year that support low-income students by meeting their full demonstrated financial need. Approximately 30 scholarships are available annually.
A brief description of the institution’s other policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
As a demonstration of commitment to serving Pell-eligible students, a major fundraising focus for Elon is to increase the number of scholarships in the Odyssey Program. Students in this cohort receive financial aid packages that meet full demonstrated financial need. One hundred seventeen total scholarships exist today with a goal of at least 400 over time.
In addition to growth in Odyssey, the university has committed approximately $400,000 in funds to support Pell-eligible students. Between Odyssey and this particular initiative, the First-Year class now has 10% of students receiving Pell Grants, up from 8.5% in just over a year.
As part of Elon's commitment to economic and other forms of diversity, Elon was invited to apply for membership in the Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success. In Elon's first year as part of the platform, over 1250 students have applied for admission.
Does the institution have policies and programs to support non-traditional students?:
A brief description of the institution’s scholarships provided specifically for part-time students:
A brief description of the institution’s on-site child care facility, partnership with a local facility, and/or subsidies or financial support to help meet the child care needs of students:
A brief description of the institution’s other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:
Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 of this credit (tracking accessibility and affordability)? (If data is not available, select 'No'):
The percentage of entering students that are low-income (0-100):
The graduation/success rate for low-income students (0-100):
On average, the percentage of need that was met for students who were awarded any need-based aid (e.g. as reported to the U.S. Common Data Set initiative, item H2) (0-100):
The percentage of students graduating with no interest-bearing student loan debt or for whom no out-of-pocket tuition is required (i.e. the percentage of graduates who have not taken out interest-bearing loans) (0-100):
Estimated percentage of students that participate in or directly benefit from the institution’s policies and programs to support low-income and non-traditional students (0-100):
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The four-year graduation rate for low-income students is 72.7%. This number increases to 78.7% when looking at the six-year graduation rate.
The figure provided for ‘the percentage of need that was met for students who were awarded any need-based aid’ comes from the Common Data Set (CDS-H – H2, item i) and includes aid other than grants such as federal work study and subsidized Stafford loans.
The four-year graduation rate for low-income students is 72.7%. This number increases to 78.7% when looking at the six-year graduation rate.
The figure provided for ‘the percentage of need that was met for students who were awarded any need-based aid’ comes from the Common Data Set (CDS-H – H2, item i) and includes aid other than grants such as federal work study and subsidized Stafford loans.
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.