| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.82 |
| Liaison | Konrad Schlarbaum |
| Submission Date | Feb. 20, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
PA-8: Affordability and Access
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.50 / 4.00 |
Does the institution have policies and programs in place to make it accessible and affordable to low-income students?:
A brief description of any policies and programs to minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students:
The UCCS student body is over 40 percent Pell eligible and consists of many first generation and lower income students from Southeastern Colorado.
The UCCS Promise helps eligible low income families who are Colorado residents meet the cost of tuition, books and fees. Students must meet priority date and enroll full-time to be eligible for the UCCS Promise.
A brief description of any programs to equip the institution’s faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:
The BIG Idea Program - This 2.5-hour interactive workshop aims to provide awareness, knowledge and skills to participants about personal and institutional dynamics of social inequality. Providing hands-on strategies, the goal of the workshop is to better equip members of the organization to engage diverse social identities, to explore how oppression and privilege operate in our daily lives, and to create a more inclusive organizational culture.
The Financial Aid website also has many resources to assist with financial issues.
A brief description of any programs to prepare students from low-income backgrounds for higher education:
Pre-Collegiate Development Program at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS), is a system-wide, institutionally funded academic program for college-bound high school and middle school students. It is designed to motivate and prepare first generation students in pursuit of their higher educational goals. PCDP is structured to ensure that students are academically prepared to enroll and be successful at UCCS, the University of Colorado system or any other post-secondary institution of the students' choice.
Since 1987, the Pre-Collegiate Program has steadily increased student enrollment of first-generation and underrepresented members of other racial, ethnic and cultural groups as students in degree programs at UCCS. The Pre-Collegiate system-wide program has become the University of Colorado ’s Signature college preparatory program in the state of Colorado , to the effect that 97% of graduates go on to higher education. The program provides students with the academic preparation, opportunity, support and exposure necessary to attain a higher education and reach their potential through Saturday Academy workshops for students and parents, as well as five-week Summer Academic Institute courses for credit.
A brief description of the institution's scholarships for low-income students:
Reisher Family Scholarship - In state, needs based sophomores and community college transfer students.
The UCCS Promise helps eligible low income families who are Colorado residents meet the cost of tuition, books and fees.
Colorado Student Grant - based on student need.
UCCS Tuition Grant - based on student need
The average percentage of students who were awarded any need-based aid is 58.1%. This excludes any aid that was awarded in excess of need as well as any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans)
A brief description of any programs to guide parents of low-income students through the higher education experience:
The main website has a complete section for parents and families. While it does not exclusively target low-income students, it provides many resources that would assist low-income students and families.
A brief description of any targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:
In the 2012 Student Success Strategic Plan, UCCS commits to Increase retention and graduation rates of first generation students, students of color, low-income students, and other student groups at higher risk of attrition at rates comparable to the overall
student population. UCCS actively recruits students from low-income students and offers some of the least expensive tuition rates in the state of Colorado.
UCCS Strategic Plan 2020: Goal 4
“Substantially increase international and domestic multicultural program opportunities and the number of international students and scholars on campus to build cultural
understanding and to develop the global competencies of the UCCS community.
A brief description of other admissions policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
UCCS tuition and fees for full-time first-time freshmen were 14% or $1000 less than our peer institutions.
Western Undergradute Exchange
The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) offers eligible undergraduate students from western states the chance to attend UCCS at a discounted rate. WUE students pay 150% of the in-state tuition rate instead of the full out-of-state tuition rate.
Eligible states are:
North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Washington, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Alaska, Hawaii.
There is a section on the Financial Aid website this is strictly in Spanish that details financial aid procedures and resources.
http://www.uccs.edu//futurestudents/welcome---bienvenidos.html
A brief description of other financial aid policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
UCCS also has a robust self-help aid program which includes a student employment program and Student loans. Total Self help aid was $20,766,721.
A brief description of other policies and programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students not covered above:
Colorado Asset Program
Asset law allows for undocumented Colorado students to acquire in-state tuition rates, COF, and institutionally or privately funded aid. It does not qualify students for federal/state grants and loans.
The Multicultural Office for Student Access, Inclusiveness and Community (MOSAIC) is a safe place for students to engage in discussions about social identities, cultures, experiences, and viewpoints. We offer a wide range of services for students of diverse backgrounds, including information on scholarships, job opportunities, mentoring opportunities, and other services. Within MOSAIC is UCCS' LBGT Resource Center designed to provide resources and information to LGBT students, advocate for LGBT interests throughout campus, conduct outreach and education, and to ensure LGBT voices are represented among the campus at large
Does the institution have policies and programs in place to support non-traditional students?:
A brief description of any scholarships provided specifically for part-time students:
Colorado Student Grant and UCCS Tuition Grant both consider half time students for funding. Must be Colorado residents.
Bruce and Ann Shepard Reach Your Peak Scholarship - In state, Work Part time.
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:
The UCCS Family Development Center, is accredited and provides on-campus child-care, pre-kindergarten, and summer camp programs for children of students, faculty, and staff.
UCCS Student Privileges: If you are a student at UCCS, you receive enrollment priority for available child care spaces, and you are entitled to discounted child care rates. Grants may also be available to qualifying low income UCCS students, to further reduce the cost of child care. In addition, the Family Development Center is able to enroll a limited number of student families through the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP).
A brief description of other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:
Karen Possehl Women Endow Scholarship
The Karen Possehl Women Endowment (KPWE) is for students of non-traditional age, who plan to enroll full-time, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, are Colorado residents, and have the ability to finish an undergraduate degree. To qualify, students must demonstrate financial need by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1st.
Recipients of the KPWE scholarship are encouraged to apply for a limited number of graduate awards if they choose to pursue a UCCS graduate program. Awards are $5,000 per academic year and are renewable based upon meeting renewal requirements.
Women who are returning to college after divorce or other exceptional life circumstances are encouraged to apply. Upon receiving the scholarship, students will meet regularly with a mentor from the community and attend social events throughout the year.
Daniels Fund Boundless Scholar
The Daniels Fund Boundless Opportunity Scholarship Program seeks to provide funding for non-traditional students such as adults pursuing education later in life, GED recipients, returning military personnel (Active Duty, Veteran, Reservist, Spouses), and young people from the foster care system. Since launching its Opportunity Scholarships in 2003, the Daniels Fund has awarded approximately 4,000 students attending two- and four-year institutions across the Rocky Mountain Region through this program.
To qualify for a Daniels Fund Boundless Opportunity Scholarship at UCCS, you must:
- Fit into one or more of the Boundless Opportunity Scholarship categories
- Be pursuing your first undergraduate degree
- Demonstrate financial need according to the FAFSA
Preference is given to students entering their Junior and Senior year of college
Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 of this credit (accessibility and affordability indicators)?:
Indicators that the institution is accessible and affordable to low-income students::
| Percentage (0-100) | |
| The percentage of entering students that are low-income | 32 |
| The graduation/success rate for low-income students | 72 |
| The percentage of student financial need met, on average | 46 |
| 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:
The website URL where information about the institution's affordability and access programs 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.