| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 47.19 |
| Liaison | V.S. (Raghu) Raghavan |
| Submission Date | Sept. 6, 2012 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Mount Holyoke College
PAE-10: Affordability and Access Programs
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
Nancy
Apple Director Environmental Health & Safety |
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:
A brief description of the institution’s policies and programs to minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students?:
Mount Holyoke College offers financial aid to incoming students based on an analysis of the income and assets of the parents and the student. We use institutional methodology to determine the family contribution and have, in the past, fully met institutional eligibility with aid including a standard loan amount, work study, and grant funding from all sources. For 2012-2013, Mount Holyoke's billed fees did not increase from 2011-2012. As need-based financial aid is tied to family income and assets, lower income students receive significant need-based aid over the four years of enrollment.
A brief description of the institution’s programs to equip the institution's faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:
Most classes are small and advisors meet with students prior to registration each term. Each class has a class dean who is also available to help students navigate the academic program. The culture at Mount Holyoke is one that appreciates diversity and historically has been committed to supporting students from all socioeconomic backgrounds in all facets of the community. Low income students achieve a high graduation rate.
A brief description of the institution’s programs to prepare students from low-income backgrounds for higher education:
A brief description of the institution's scholarships for low-income students:
Mount Holyoke has primarily need-based assistance; low-income students receive grant funding based on an analysis of the family's income and assets. Depending on packaging policies, students would be packaged with no more than $30,000 in need-based loans over four years. Pell grant recipients comprise 21% of the student body (24% of the domestic students who are eligible for federal aid).
A brief description of the institution’s programs to guide parents of low-income students through the higher education experience:
A brief description of the institution’s targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:
Mount Holyoke College’s Office of Admission recruitment plan includes specific outreach to Community Based Organizations (CBOs), non-profit organizations that work with youth in underserved communities to help them achieve educational and professional goals. This outreach takes the form of yearly visits to meet with students, leading college admission workshops specifically geared towards first-generation students and their families, and continued communications with CBO counselors throughout the reading and selection processes.
A brief description of the institution’s other admissions policies and programs:
On the professional development front, the Office of Admission staff receives regular sponsorship to attend educational conferences that focus on the recruitment of underserved and low-income populations. Several staff members are also part of two non-profit organizations comprised of professionals who work to recruit low-income students and students of color: New England Counselors Bridging Access to College (NECBAC), and ABAFAOILSS (Association of Black Admission and Financial Aid Officers from Ivy League and Sister Schools). Via partnership in these organizations, admission staff complete group travel to various high schools and CBOs to provide workshops on the college selection and financial aid processes to first-generation and low-income students and their families.
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.