| Overall Rating | Bronze - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 33.89 |
| Liaison | Chekka Lash |
| Submission Date | July 29, 2013 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Ferrum College
PAE-10: Affordability and Access Programs
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
Heather
Hollandsworth Director of Financial Aid Financial Aid |
Does the institution have policies and programs in place to make it accessible and affordable to low-income students?:
A brief description of the institution’s participation in federal TRIO programs:
We have a variety of programs that allow us to improve our accessibility and affordability to a range of students, but we do not participate in the Federal TRIO programs.
A brief description of the institution’s policies and programs to minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students?:
We do not have TRIO programs or other programs that we sponsor to help prepare low-income high school students to attend college. However, we do welcome groups from Virginia Tech, Patrick Henry Community College and other institutions who do have TRIO or other similar programs to our campus for tours and presentations about preparing for college and how a college education is possible for them. We also host and tour local groups associated with STEP, Inc. and Champs/Bridge to Life whose mission is to reach younger students with the message that they need to set college as a goal and work toward it.
A brief description of the institution’s programs to equip the institution's faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:
Yes, we have a generous merit and need-based packaging policy which benefits all students but especially needy students. Students also have the right to appeal for additional funds to the Financial Aid Office should they feel they need additional funding to meet costs. The Financial Aid will also work with families who have had financial setbacks to minimize their cost of attendance. Approximately 57% of Ferrum’s students are eligible for the Pell Grant (the federal grant program for the neediest students) – that is one of the highest percentages of any institution in Virginia and demonstrates our commitment to low income students.
A brief description of the institution’s programs to prepare students from low-income backgrounds for higher education:
Yes. Ferrum College offers on campus programs and does outreach for all prospective students to help them through the admissions and financial aid process. The financial aid workshops, which are offered both on and off campus, are of particular interest to those with low incomes who are more dependent on financial aid.
A brief description of the institution's scholarships for low-income students:
Yes. Although our merit based scholarship and grants are awarded without regard to need, Ferrum provides low income students with need-based aid to supplement their merit based scholarships and grants.
A brief description of the institution’s programs to guide parents of low-income students through the higher education experience:
Financial aid staff meet in person with individual families at on campus programs such as Open Houses for prospective students and PAWS which are pre-registration programs for incoming students.
A brief description of the institution’s targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:
Ferrum College actively recruits students all over Virginia and large portions of NC and MD. Those recruitment activities include college programs in low income areas which are focused on encouraging those students to consider college. In particular, are the programs for minority students in the Washington area.
A brief description of the institution’s other admissions policies and programs:
Admissions and financial aid staff conduct outreach activities to help students one on one navigate the admissions and financial aid process – this is particularly important for first generation students who tend to have higher financial need.
A brief description of the institution’s other financial aid polices or programs:
A brief description of the institution’s other policies and programs not covered above:
The website URL where information about programs in each of the areas listed above is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.