Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 42.59
Liaison Catherine Lockhart
Submission Date June 30, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Lawrence University
PA-8: Affordability and Access

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 4.00 Christopher Lee
Vice President Finance and Administration
Administration
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have policies and programs in place to make it accessible and affordable to low-income students?:
Yes

A brief description of any policies and programs to minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students:

The Admissions Office and Financial Aid Office has policies in place to provide financial aid packages that make Lawrence University affordable for those students who are most likely to be successful at Lawrence. This includes policies that meet a higher percentage of need with gift aid for specific groups of students, including those recruited through the Community Based Organizations (CBO) that we partner with. Additionally, students work closely with staff on payment plans, work-study opportunities, and other options to make Lawrence affordable for all students. We also work closely with parents of low-income students who need help in completing the financial aid application and understanding the payment options. Recently, the university has begun raising funds with the purpose to meet the full institutional need of all students.


A brief description of any programs to equip the institution’s faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:

Diversity training is available to all faculty and staff, and all employees are made aware of the large network of financial, social, and personal support programs. Discussions of low-income backgrounds have been part of the some of these cultural competency workshops that have happened throughout the 2015-2016 school year.


A brief description of any programs to prepare students from low-income backgrounds for higher education:

Our Financial Aid staff work closely with low-income students to make sure they understand all parts of the financial aid award. We also have access to emergency funds and grants in case a student’s financial situation changes with short notice. We continually look for ways to enhance and expand these opportunities through local and national grants.

The Freshman Academic Institute (FAI) is a three-week summer program in which new Lawrentians experience academic, co-curricular, and campus life at Lawrence. The centerpiece of the FAI is a two-course curriculum in which students engage in the liberal arts tradition of learning as it occurs at Lawrence, through close interaction with our dedicated faculty and collaboration with fellow students both in and outside of the classroom setting. A co-curriculum provides opportunity for students to enhance their academic skills, while extra-curricular activities connect students with peers, upperclassmen, and the larger community. The FAI is held each summer on the Lawrence campus during the three weeks leading up to Welcome Week. (source: https://www.lawrence.edu/academics/freshman-academic-institute/faqs)


A brief description of the institution's scholarships for low-income students:

We offer both scholarships (non-need-based) and grants (need-based) to low-income students. Scholarships recognize the student’s academic accomplishments and need-based grants are provided to students based on their family’s household resources.


A brief description of any programs to guide parents of low-income students through the higher education experience:

Our Financial Aid office regularly sends information to parents both in email and paper form. The Financial Aid office will work closely with parents who are struggling with the application process and/or filing the tax forms. We encourage families to call the Financial Aid office with any questions or concerns about the student’s financial aid award. Financial Services also works with these families to provide several options for paying the student’s bill. Again, the office will reach out to families via phone, email, and mail when there is a concern or issue with a student’s account.


A brief description of any targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:

The Admissions Office works closely with several Community Based Organizations, such as College Possible, College Horizons, and College Bound – St. Louis, in order to connect with high achieving, low-income students. We also provide campus tours, information sessions, and resources to local GEAR UP, AVID, and other programs.


A brief description of other admissions policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:

Lawrence's goal of affordable and accessible higher education is embedded throughout its recruitment, financial aid, community partnership and student success programs.


A brief description of other financial aid policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:

We partner with over 10 Community Based Organizations (CBO) that work with first-generation and/or low-income students. Through our partnership, we guarantee our highest academic scholarship for those who are admitted. Additionally, we are committed to providing a generous need-based grant to make college affordable to all students who are from a partner CBO, and for a select few we are committed to meeting their full institutional need.


A brief description of other policies and programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students not covered above:

n/a


Does the institution have policies and programs in place to support non-traditional students?:
Yes

A brief description of any scholarships provided specifically for part-time students:
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A brief description of any onsite child care facilities, partnerships with local facilities, and/or subsidies or financial support to help meet the child care needs of students:
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A brief description of other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:

Lawrence is a fully certified institution committed to the education of military veterans. We participate fully in the Yellow Ribbon Program—which allows extra scholarship funds to be available without any additional charge to Post-9/11 GI bill recipients.


Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 of this credit (accessibility and affordability indicators)?:
No

Indicators that the institution is accessible and affordable to low-income students::
Percentage (0-100)
The percentage of entering students that are low-income ---
The graduation/success rate for low-income students ---
The percentage of student financial need met, on average ---
The percentage of students graduating with no interest-bearing student loan debt ---

The percentage of students that participate in or directly benefit from the institution’s policies and programs to support low-income and non-traditional students:
60

The website URL where information about the institution's affordability and access programs is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.