| Overall Rating | Reporter - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | |
| Liaison | Elizabeth Drake |
| Submission Date | April 14, 2011 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Swarthmore College
PAE-10: Affordability and Access Programs
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
Reporter |
Amanda
Bayer Associate Professor Economics |
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:
"The SWARTHMORE COLLEGE UPWARD BOUND PROGRAM, in continuous operation on the Swarthmore College campus since 1965, annually prepares up to 55 bright African American teenagers for higher education. Students live on campus during the five-week residential phase, returning during the academic year for Saturday classes and Thursday evening tutoring and homework help. Year round, the program provides rigorous academic instruction, individualized needs assessment, extensive tutoring, individualized counseling and exposure to a variety of personal, cultural, and historical enrichment experiences. Students and their parents receive guidance with the college admissions, SAT testing preparation and the financial application process."
http://www.swarthmore.edu/Admin/upward_bound/index.htm
A brief description of the institution’s policies and programs to minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students?:
"In order to make a Swarthmore education available to all qualified students, Swarthmore offers financial assistance to families on the basis of demonstrated financial need. Our financial aid program is strong: about 50% of our student body is receiving our need-based assistance in the form of scholarships, loans, and work opportunities. "
http://www.swarthmore.edu/x7322.xml
A brief description of the institution’s programs to equip the institution's faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:
A brief description of the institution’s programs to prepare students from low-income backgrounds for higher education:
"This is a community that cares deeply about its members-their feelings, and their success; a community that values the complexities of its diversity and works to empower its students to weave themselves into the community's fabric; a community that will push its students to be thorough, see from other perspectives, debate vigorously, challenge claims of fact, and express ideas with precision.
Swarthmore scaffolds all of that pushing, challenging and learning with multiple structures of support--support from peers, from faculty, and of course, from the Dean's Office. In particular, we encourage students to meet and talk with peer leaders such as the Student Academic Mentors (SAMs) to talk about study skills and time management; talk with their advisors, Professor Diane Anderson, Acting Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, or the Sophomore Class Dean about exploring possible majors; talk with Career Services about exploring possible careers or getting an internship over the summer; or talk to any of the Deans about any issues, concerns or questions students might have. An open door access policy exists throughout the Dean's office, and each Dean is generally available to any student for advice and consultation, interpretation of College policy, and appropriate referrals.
The Dean's Office warmly welcomes each student into our community of scholars. We value how much we have to learn from and about each other, and look forward to experiencing and supporting the intellectual and social contributions each student will make to the Swarthmore College community."
http://www.swarthmore.edu/x9740.xml
A brief description of the institution's scholarships for low-income students:
On December 8, 2007, Swarthmore's Board of Managers approved an expansion of its financial aid program; financial aid awards no longer include a loan component, with additional scholarship granted instead.
"Financial need beyond that met with a campus job opportunity 7 or 8 hours weekly), is met with Swarthmore Scholarship or other grant funds. First to be considered are funds available from state, local, or federal sources. The College expects all aid applicants to seek aid from outside sources. Swarthmore Scholarships, made possible through the generosity of College alumni and friends, are awarded on the basis of demonstrated need and make up 95% of the gift-aid our students receive. The remaining 5% is provided in federal SEOG or Pell grants, state grants, or foundation or community sources."
http://www.swarthmore.edu/Documents/administration/financialaid/1011_%20Fin_Aid_%20Fin_%20Options.pdf
A brief description of the institution’s programs to guide parents of low-income students through the higher education experience:
Online resources: http://www.swarthmore.edu/parents.xml
Parents council: http://www.swarthmore.edu/x4765.xml
A brief description of the institution’s targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:
Swarthmore became a Questbridge partner in 2006 in order to identify and recruit more socioeconomically diverse prospective students. Questbridge links high-achieving, low-income students with outstanding colleges and universities.
http://www.swarthmore.edu/questbridge.xml
A brief description of the institution’s other admissions policies and programs:
Admissions: http://www.swarthmore.edu/x504.xml
A brief description of the institution’s other financial aid polices or programs:
Financial aid: http://www.swarthmore.edu/financialaid.xml
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.