Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 33.31
Liaison Katherine Straub
Submission Date Feb. 21, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Susquehanna University
PA-7: Affordability and Access

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.48 / 4.00 Katherine Straub
Professor
Earth and Environmental Sciences
"---" 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:

We offer a comprehensive merit and need-based financial aid program that equitably distributes institutional, federal and state funding, with attention to our high-need students.


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

Faculty and staff are supported through institutional funds to attend professional development conferences and programs that focus on diversity and inclusion and highlight the needs of students by race, class, ethnicity, first generation college, etc.

Susquehanna's Center for Teaching and Learning offers occasional programming for faculty and staff on working with low-income students.


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

Our admission and financial outreach includes a comprehensive affordability plan to educate our students and families on the financial aid options available to offset the cost of higher education. Students and families are encouraged to meet with a financial aid team member when visiting campus for a full review of the financial aid award and funding options.


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

SU offers over 100 scholarships for low-income students including The John B. and Elizabeth K (Wetzel) Apple Scholarship Fund and The William Davenport Scholarship.

Inspired by a commitment to helping young people reach their full potential and a belief that higher education prepares students for lives of achievement, leadership and service, John and Elizabeth Apple established this scholarship fund in 2006 to benefit talented and deserving students.

Awards from this fund are made, in accordance with the University’s financial aid policies, to students who meet the requirements for admission and who demonstrate significant financial need. In making awards, the University gives first preference to students who reside in Sunbury, PA, with secondary preference to students residing in Northumberland County or Snyder County.

The William C. Davenport ’53 Scholarship Fund

The William C. Davenport ’53 Scholarship Fund was established in 1992 in honor of Mr. Davenport’s dedication and loyalty to Susquehanna University and his service as member of the Board of Directors. The fund was created by his wife, Peggy Henderson ’54 Davenport, and their family: H. Anna Davenport, Dr. W. Clark Davenport and Dr. Lisa C. Davenport, and S. Marshall Davenport. The scholarship provides support to qualified students who display a need for financial assistance and who are enrolled in a degree program at the Sigmund Weis School of Business.


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

Philadelphia Promise, NSF S-STEM, NSF Noyce Scholars, Milton Hershey School


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

Application fees are waved in order for all students, regardless of financial means, to be able to apply.


Does the institution have policies and programs to support non-traditional students?:
No

A brief description of the institution’s scholarships provided specifically for part-time students:
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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:
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A brief description of the institution’s other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:
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Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 of this credit (tracking accessibility and affordability)? (If data is not available, select 'No'):
Yes

The percentage of entering students that are low-income (0-100):
26.40

The graduation/success rate for low-income students (0-100):
70.50

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):
81.40

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):
19.36

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):
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

Percentage of entering students who are low income is from the 2016-17 Fact Book, pages E8, E9, and E-11 for the class of 2020 = 168/(361+276) = 26.4%

Graduation/success rate for low-income students is from the 2016-17 Fact Book, 6-year graduation rate for the class of 2014 = 70.5% (last 6-year graduation rate documented in the report); page E-11

Percentage of need met is from the Common Data Set 2016-17 (Excel), page 2, H2 (i)

Percentage graduating with no interest-bearing debt is from the Common Data Set 2016-17 (Excel), page 3, H5 (a); 100% - 80.64% who have loans = 19.36%


Percentage of entering students who are low income is from the 2016-17 Fact Book, pages E8, E9, and E-11 for the class of 2020 = 168/(361+276) = 26.4%

Graduation/success rate for low-income students is from the 2016-17 Fact Book, 6-year graduation rate for the class of 2014 = 70.5% (last 6-year graduation rate documented in the report); page E-11

Percentage of need met is from the Common Data Set 2016-17 (Excel), page 2, H2 (i)

Percentage graduating with no interest-bearing debt is from the Common Data Set 2016-17 (Excel), page 3, H5 (a); 100% - 80.64% who have loans = 19.36%

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.