Indiana State University
PA-8: Affordability and Access

Indiana State University has embraced our mission as a public institution and has striven in various recruitment and retention activities to matriculate low income, and first generation, students. Current data for the 2013-14 academic year indicates that 35% of total student enrolled have an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) of “0” reported on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In addition, approximately 53% of students enrolled as first time, full time new undergraduates at the institution indicate that they are first generation college students.

The university has had a long standing relationship and served as regional site for Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math & Science and the McNair program. Each of these programs were cut during recent federal cutbacks and are not based on our campus during this academic year. Continued support is available through federal programs and affiliations, but the these particular programs have only recently been changed.

The State of Indiana has provided access and support for low income students through the 21st Century Scholars Program.

Our current administration is very concerned about the cost of higher education and has many programs in place and committees researching how to reduce cost to the students. One committee has published an affordability report about the cost of textbooks on campus and the president has made it clear that we need to do a better job informing the book store about our textbook choices very early so that the book store can buy back books at a higher return to the students. ISU is working hard to bring the cost per degree down, including a four year graduation guarantee for students that choose a major early and follow advising recommendations. We have a 21st Centuries Scholars program which focuses on high performing low-income students and making college affordable for them. This program has been a strong success on campus and many of those students are our top performers in the sciences.

We have recently formed the University College which is a first year program with centralized advising for students. The University College is very proactive in sharing the best practices for instructors of all students and specifically our students that are 60% first generation students and often from low-income backgrounds. ISU has long been the school of choice for low-income students and our administration works hard to serve those students well and prepare faculty to work with a range of student backgrounds.

We have recently formed the University College which is a first year program with centralized advising for students. This college includes extensive advising for all students even using intrusive advising to try to reach students that are struggling in their first years.

ISU’s LEAP program is a summer bridge program that provides instruction in the basic skills needed to succeed in college. In addition to receiving this preparation, students who successfully complete LEAP will earn 3 college credits. This 3-week residential program provides the following benefits:
Establish Relationships:
Students will meet other students, ISU staff, and faculty and have relationships in place when the academic year begins.
Develop Crucial Skills That Enhance College Success
Students will learn how to navigate the college environment and will develop skills associated with college success.
Earn College Credit
Students will enroll in a freshmen-level course that earns college credit.
Increase Chances of Persisting to Sophomore Year
Students who have completed the program in the past are more likely to remain enrolled in college for their sophomore year.
Increase Chances of Completing a Degree
Students who complete summer enrichment programs like LEAP have higher graduation rates than those who do not participate.

We have a 21st Centuries Scholars program which focuses on high performing low-income students and making college affordable for them. This program has been a strong success on campus and many of those students are our top performers in the sciences.

In addition, scholarship awards, which also incorporate merit, are awarded to these identified students to further support their financial needs in addition to the monies made available through the 21st Century Scholars program. Additional information about specific scholarships can be found at:

http://www.indstate.edu/scholarships/freshman/twenty-first-excellence.htm
http://www.indstate.edu/scholarships/freshman/twenty-first-housing.htm
http://www.indstate.edu/scholarships/freshman/

The Office of New Student Transition Programs plans an extensive Parent and Family program in conjunction with New Student Orientation. Specific seminars and presentations are developed to introduce parents and families to the expectations (academic, financial and social) of all enrolled students. These efforts are further supported, and complemented, by the outreach and communication provide by the Indiana State Parent Program http://www.indstate.edu/parents// Specific linkages and information related to academic support, financial resources and personal safety are further discussed via these outreach efforts.

The University College, Welcome Center, and Career Center all provide resources to the students and also help to educate parents about the needs of college and what it means to obtain a college education. These programs explicitly include opportunities for parents to learn about the process and demands of college life at ISU.

The University does take intentional steps to recruit low income students. Application fee waivers for identified 21st Century Scholars and other identified student populations allow for accessible application for admission. Strategic recruitment efforts involve participation in the annual College Go Week! Program. This state-wide sponsored initiative is designed to encourage awareness, access and opportunity for underrepresented students to consider and learn about higher education. Indiana State University has extended this traditional one week program to four weeks (the month of September annually) in an effort to welcome and promote higher education access to low income students.

The College Challenge Success Award is open to students who have successfully completed a College Challenge course and have been accepted to Indiana State University as a full-time undergraduate. This scholarship is a one-time scholarship in the amount of $250 that is non-transferable and must be used exclusively at ISU.

Fall 2016, ISU will be launching a new scholarship program called STATE Works for students with unmet financial need and an expressed interested in campus employment. The program provides participants with a $1,000 textbook award per year and matches them with a campus job. Our student employment area will be working with each university division over the next few months to identify 150 existing student jobs across campus that are suitable for STATE Works. The students will keep half of their earnings and half will be applied to their unpaid student balance.
More information on the program is available at: http://www.indstate.edu/stateworks.

The College Challenge Program is a cooperative agreement between Indiana State University and participating high schools that enables high school students to earn college credit in courses taught at their local high schools. The program is designed for high school students, typically juniors and seniors, who have a desire for more advanced course work. Students in the program earn college and high school credit simultaneously for each course successfully completed. College Challenge courses are taught by high school teachers who have been approved to teach college-level courses by Indiana State University. Courses are conveniently taught within a typical high school setting so students do not have to attend class outside school hours. Courses are taught at a special, reduced tuition rate of $25 per credit hour.

Every fall and spring we award ten $550.00 scholarships to commuter students`. These scholarships are available to students at the sophomore level and above.Students are able to re-apply for the Commuter Scholarship every semester that they are eligible.

Charles and Phyllis Campbell Memorial Scholarship, along with the Dwaine and Martha Woolsey Scholarship, consider an ISU student is enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences as a full or part-time student, is non-traditional and in good standing, with a preference given to students over the age of 25. Transfer students are eligible and preference is given to students with financial need.

ISU's ECEC is designed as a comprehensive child care/child development center to serve the children, 6 weeks to 5 years, of ISU students, faculty, staff members, and community families. An additional feature of its design is to provide an exemplary child care program for academic research and training. This program is designed for children whose parents/guardians have work or school obligations. We are ACCREDITED by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and licensed by the Department of Family and Children Services of the State of Indiana. The program is affiliated with the ISU Bayh College of Education and the department Elementary, Early and Special Education> providing quality care for children ranging from 6 weeks - 5 years of age.

The ACE (Adult Career Education) Bachelor Degree Completion Program is designed to address the needs of working adults, or adults seeking employment, who want to complete college degrees in a customized area of study. Students completing this program will earn a Baccalaureate Degree in Adult Career Education (ACE). ACE provides a flexible, convenient, and individualized approach to education for adult students who have earned approximately 60 college credits. The online core program is delivered in accelerated eight-week courses. Our advisors will help students identify prior learning experiences that may qualify for college credit, including military training, non-collegiate sponsored training, proficiency exams and work experiences. Resources and support for online learning are built into the program because each student's success from day one is paramount.

15% of student population is over the age of 25
53% of student population are low-income