Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 53.30
Liaison Emma Shipalesky
Submission Date June 19, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
PA-8: Affordability and Access

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 4.00 Emma Shipalesky
STARS Sustainability Renewal Coordinator
School of Sustainable Building and Environmental management
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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:

NAIT offers a variety of bursaries that students can apply for. Bursaries are given to applicant(s) who prove financial need and are maintaining satisfactory academic standing. Student(s) are eligible if enrolled in 60% (sixty percent) or more of a full course load. Additional selection criteria, for instance volunteer work or leadership, may also be considered. In 2013/14, NAIT distributed $4.9 million in student scholarships and bursaries.

The Alberta Works Skills Investment program provides funding for Albertans in designated full-time programs. While attending one of these programs, students may be eligible for income support and training benefits. Support benefits may include core household expenses, supplementary benefits, health benefits, child care benefits, and school costs benefits. Eligibility for income support is based on the household unit meeting the program and financial eligibility criteria. The amount of income support is determined through a financial needs assessment.

Students attending NAIT may be eligible for financial aid in the form of Provincial Student Loans and/or Canada Student Loans. Loans are allocated based upon proven financial need and are interest free while the student maintains enrollment. Attractive interest rates and assistance programs are available for students once they enter loan repayment.


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

As a condition of employment at the institute, all NAIT instructors must enroll in the Becoming a Master Instructor (BMI) program. The objective of the program is to assist instructors in starting a teaching career. The purpose is to build presentation skills, confidence in the classroom and to provide an opportunity for instructors to interact professionally with other instructional colleagues.

BMI level 1 provides an interactive overview of the foundational principles of teaching and learning. Through discussion, practice, and critical reflection, participants will explore the foundational principles that facilitate designing student-centered learning, fostering a safe and inclusive learning environment, using assessment to enhance student learning, and designing strategies to align their teaching practice with their professional teaching responsibilities. BMI level 2 provides an interactive overview of enhanced teaching competencies that foster ongoing development as a teaching professional. Through discussion, practice, and critical reflection, participants will explore strategies that support a dynamic and inclusive student-centered community, the design of assessment tools for a variety of outcomes and learners, and the embedding of scholarly practice in their teaching.


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

NAIT offers First Year Support to help students transition from high school or work so that it is easy and stress-free. They help students:
• become confident in their knowledge of NAIT’s campus, policies and processes.
• make connections at NAIT and get involved with groups, peers and staff.
• get personal and academic support, including where to find help and resources.
• learn to balance their academic and social life.
After receiving conditional or full acceptance, students are invited to register for the NAIT New Student Orientation where they will become familiar with NAIT and learn about essential information they’ll need i.e., deadlines, fees, etc. They also learn about various student services that can help support them during their time at NAIT.


A brief description of the institution's scholarships for low-income students:
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A brief description of any programs to guide parents of low-income students through the higher education experience:

Student Recruitment offers a Parents as Career Coaches presentation to interested school and community groups. This one-hour presentation offers strategies to help parents understand how to effectively assist their children as they prepare to enter the world of work.

NAIT’s website also hosts a page detailing coaching skills and tips for parents of post-secondary students.
http://www.nait.ca/prospective/parents-as-career-coaches.htm


A brief description of any targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:
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A brief description of other admissions policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
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A brief description of other financial aid policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
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A brief description of other policies and programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students not covered above:

NAITSA offers food bank services to help students in need.


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:

Students attending NAIT may be eligible for financial aid in the form of Provincial Student Loans and Canada Student Loans specifically for part-time post-secondary students.


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:

Students can apply for subsidies for child care services through the Government of Alberta: http://humanservices.alberta.ca/financial-support/15104.html


A brief description of other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:
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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:
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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.