Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 67.52
Liaison Tori Grant
Submission Date June 28, 2013
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.2

University of Calgary
PAE-10: Affordability and Access Programs

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Justin Brown
Sustainability Coordinator
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have policies and programs in place to make it accessible and affordable to low-income students?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s participation in federal TRIO programs:

We participate in provincial and federal student aid programs, including those for low and middle income students and repayment options for both programs aimed at reducing the impact of debt.


A brief description of the institution’s policies and programs to minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students?:

Hundreds of awards and bursaries offered annually with financial need considered one of the primary criteria.
1. University of Calgary bursary program which awarded $4.3 million to 2145 undergraduate bursary recipients last year (2012)
2. Emergency loan and bursary programs-providing interest free loans and bursaries to students with identified financial need
3. Students’ Union hardship fund
4. Campus food bank-available for use by students
5. Bookstore book loan program-students can apply to have the bookstore lend them books at no cost (approximately 40 students/year)
6. Students with documented disabilities can be considered full time students while taking a reduced course load
7. students with verifiable permanent disabilities registered in 18 units or more over the preceding fall and winter terms may receive undergraduate student awards


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

n/a


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

n/a


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

n/a


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

n/a


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

n/a


A brief description of the institution’s other admissions policies and programs:

Students with documented disabilities can be considered full time students while taking a reduced course load


A brief description of the institution’s other financial aid polices or programs:

Additional financial support services are available either directly through the Financial Aid Office or through other campus services. The Financial Aid office often acts as a referral service to the other emergency financing options available for students as the Emergency Loan application is often the first step for students:

1. Muttart Emergency Loan: available through the Native Centre.
2. International Student Emergency Loans: available through CISSA.
3. Volunteer services: paid jobs available for students that are flexible for a student schedule.
4. Graduate Students Association: emergency funding options.
5. Faculty of Law: Emergency funding for law students.
6. The Financial Aid office administers loan funding for US students through the US Direct Loan program, private funding offices and the Veterans Affairs benefits.
7. Financial Aid refers students to the Wellness Centre when they are faced with financial circumstances that may cause anxiety and stress.


A brief description of the institution’s other policies and programs not covered above:

Beginning in January 2012, students participating in developmental co-curricular programs (attending a conference, participating in leadership training, or a non-credit service-learning program) are eligible for the Student Activities Fund. Students must apply and must outline connections between the activity and their personal, academic or leadership goals. Activities in Canada or the USA are eligible for up to $650; international travel is eligible for up to $750.


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.