Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 61.96
Liaison Briar Schoon
Submission Date June 30, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Portland Community College
PA-7: Affordability and Access

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 4.00 Stephania Fregosi
Sustainability Analyst
Facilities Management Services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have policies and programs 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:

PCC participates in Federal Financial Aid and the PCC Foundation Office provides scholarship programs supporting students from low-income backgrounds to attend college. Additionally, there are student services programs within the district such as the Transitions Program, Multicultural Center's Men of Color Mentoring Program, Oregon Leadership Institute, High School Equivalency Program, Future Connect, Middle College, TRIO and the ROOTS Student Support Services Program that provides tuition remission opportunities for students.


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

Associated Students of Portland Community College (ASPCC) runs food canteens across the district to address food insecurity of their low-income students. These canteens include fresh foods and produce from Learning Gardens. ASPCC offers child care vouchers to help low-income parents pay for child care while attending classes and studying. The PCC library sets aside specific study rooms for parents who need to bring their kids to study sessions. ASPCC provides many free and low-cost recreation activities and events for low-income background students including Holiday Fairs, sledding trips, miniature golf, and local professional sporting events.


A brief description of the institution’s programs to guide and prepare students and families from low-income backgrounds for higher education:

Federal Trio programs are outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. These programs assist low-income, first generation, and individuals with disabilities. Through this program at PCC we provide personalized academic advising, 7 free transferable college success and career guidance credits, and many other resources.


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

There are currently 190 PCC Foundation Scholarships available to students who many not otherwise be able to afford an education. Foundation scholarships pay for tuition, fees, and books. PCC hosts a Phi Theta Kappa honor society that actively promotes national and regional scholarship opportunities. The class Scholarships: $$ For College helps students create a scholarship portfolio and successfully apply and interview for scholarships.


A brief description of the institution’s targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:

PCC creates a seamless connection among high schools, higher education institutions and local employers with an emphasis on affordability and the philosophy that everyone is welcome. PCC's dual credit or Intercollege Program with Roosevelt High helps students from a historically undeserved, local low-income high school head straight to college. http://www.pcc.edu/prepare/head-start/dual-credit/summit.html


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

The Project Independence program is designed specifically for low-income women who are single parents, survivors of domestic violence, are in recovery, or experiencing some anxiety about returning to college. It is a tuition free college credit program that helps students with college readiness.


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

A brief description of the institution’s scholarships provided specifically for part-time students:

Part time students are eligible for 160 of the 190 scholarships offered through the PCC Foundation.


A brief description of the institution’s on-site child care facility, partnership with a local facility, and/or subsidies or financial support to help meet the child care needs of students:

The Child Development Center is licensed by the state of Oregon and accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The center is planned and staffed to provide a training facility for the Early Education and Family Studies department students and a sound educational program for young children. https://www.pcc.edu/resources/child-care/


A brief description of the institution’s other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:

Preferred Future is a presidentially appointed task force, formed in November 2016, that assists in the creation, coordination, and communication of projects, initiatives, and resources related to equitable student success and the galvanizing of community. The work of the Preferred Future Task Force (PFTF) is organized around resources and information regarding culturally and socially responsive pedagogy, services and resources for students and student support, community-building and civic engagement, and equity and inclusion efforts.


Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 of this credit (tracking accessibility and affordability)? (If data is not available, select 'No'):
No

The percentage of entering students that are low-income (0-100):
---

The graduation/success rate for low-income students (0-100):
---

On average, the percentage of need that was met for students who were awarded any need-based aid (e.g. as reported to the U.S. Common Data Set initiative, item H2) (0-100):
---

The percentage of students graduating with no interest-bearing student loan debt or for whom no out-of-pocket tuition is required (i.e. the percentage of graduates who have not taken out interest-bearing loans) (0-100):
---

Estimated percentage of students that participate in or directly benefit from the institution’s policies and programs to support low-income and non-traditional students (0-100):
---

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
---

Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

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.