Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 65.28
Liaison Kevin Kirsche
Submission Date April 29, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.2

University of Georgia
PAE-10: Affordability and Access Programs

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Kevin Kirsche
Director of Sustainability
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:

The University of Georgia participates in the federal TRIO programs "Talent Search" and "Upward Bound". Educational Talent Search (ETS) provides academic, career, and financial counseling to participants, encouraging them to graduate high school or reenter the education system to pursue a higher degree.
- http://trio.uga.edu/educational-talent-search/what-is-ets-.html

Upward Bound gives support and opportunities to high school students from low-income families where neither parent holds a bachelor's degree to pursue higher degrees.
The University of Georgia sponsors two (2) Upward Bound Programs. The Northeast Georgia (NEGA) Program serves fifty-five (55) eligible students from Banks, Jackson, and Wilkes Counties. The University of Georgia (UGA) Program serves seventy-three (73) eligible students from Clarke, Oglethorpe, and Madison Counties. The need for such programs in this area is strong, due to the larger number of low-income and first generation students. The proposed target area lies within a forty-mile radius of the University and is primarily populated by rural communities. These programs will initiate services which will facilitate the removal of barriers to academic success and catapult participants into positive post secondary educational programs.

These programs will select eligible participants each year to generate in them the skills and motivation necessary for successful completion of secondary and post secondary education. Assistance to the participants will be provided in the form of an academic year and summer residential program. Classes in composition, literature, foreign language, mathematics, computer technology, science, and a variety of enrichment courses are offered to participants. The highly qualified staff will enhance the operation of the programs and increase the likelihood of students improving their academic skills.

(http://trio.uga.edu/).


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

The HOPE Scholarship and Zell Miller Scholarship programs provide either a portion or all of tuition at UGA for students that graduate from an eligible high school with a certain GPA and maintain at least a 3.0 GPA during their college career at UGA. (http://osfa.uga.edu/hope.html#hope)

There are also several grants the University of Georgia participates in that are available to low-income students such as the Federal Pell Grant and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. (http://osfa.uga.edu/pell.html)

There is also a needs-based Federal Work-Study program at the University of Georgia (http://osfa.uga.edu/fws/index.html) and several student loans avaible (http://osfa.uga.edu/loans.html).


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

The Diversity and Inclusion Certificate creates an opportunity for faculty and staff to explore strategic areas around diversity and improve their ability to contribute to the enhancement of UGA’s welcoming and inclusive environment. The Diversity and Inclusion Certificate is a partnership between the Office of Institutional Diversity, Training and Career Development (Human Resources) and other diversity-related offices and programs across the institution.
- http://diversity.uga.edu/programs/diversity_and_inclusion_certificate/


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

Through UGA's (2) Upward Bound Programs, students from low-income backgrounds are offered the opportunity to prepare for higher education.

Classes in composition, literature, foreign language, mathematics, computer technology, science, and a variety of enrichment courses are offered to participants.

Other services include:

After-school tutoring in reading, writing, study skills, and other subjects necessary for success in education beyond high school
Information on post secondary education opportunities
GHSGT tutoring
Academic, financial, career and personal advisement
Career development workshops
Activities to acquaint youth with career options
College admissions and financial aid sessions
Assistance in preparing for college entrance exams
Assistance in completing college entrance and financial aid applications
College admission testing - PSAT, ACT, SAT
Exposure to academic programs and cultural events
Stipends

http://trio.uga.edu/upward-bound/what-is-ub-.html


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

The Office of Institutional Diversity at the University of Georgia is excited to announce two phenomenal scholarship opportunities. The Diversity Scholarship and the Black Alumni Scholarship are designed to provide financial support to underrepresented incoming UGA students.

The Diversity Scholarship is a needs-based scholarship of $1,500, awarded to a first-year student. This scholarship is sponsored by the UGA Athletic Association for exceptional students to our university community.

Combined Financial Need and Merit-Based Scholarships

The Goizueta Foundation Scholarships

General Scholarships:
>Demonstrated fluency in both written and spoken Spanish
>A Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident of the United States
>Demonstrated financial need as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid
>$3,000 annual renewable scholarship

Undergraduate Scholarships:
>Typically 15 new student awards
>Demonstrated fluency in both written and spoken Spanish
>Strong academic achievement
>A Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident of the United States
>Demonstrated financial need as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid
>$4,000 annual renewable scholarship

Transfer Scholarships:
>Typically 8-10 new student awards
>Demonstrated fluency in both written and spoken Spanish
>A Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident of the United States
>Demonstrated financial need as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid
>$4,000 annual renewable scholarship
>Renewable for two and a half years of undergraduate study or five terms

Leadership Scholarships:
>Typically 7 new student awards
>Demonstrated fluency in written and spoken Spanish
>Strong academic achievement
>Demonstrated strength and commitment to leadership
>A Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident of the United States
>Demonstrated financial need as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid
>$7,500 annual renewable scholarship

Shaw-White Family Scholarship:
>Typically 1-2 new student awards
>Academically competitive students from Northwest Georgia high schools
>Students whose admissions file is complete by December 15th will be automatically considered
>Students must apply for need-based aid via the FAFSA in January and submit it to UGA
>Amounts vary and are renewable

UGA Alumni Association Scholarship:
>Typically 1 new student award
>Academically competitive students must apply for need-based aid via the FAFSA in January and submit to UGA
>Annual $5,000 renewable stipend (in addition to the HOPE scholarship and other potential need-based aid)

https://www.admissions.uga.edu/article/scholarships-at-uga.html


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

The parents/guardians of Upward Bound participants are expected to support the program by encouraging their child to participate actively in all activities, to attend school regularly, to study at home, and to seek enrollment in a post secondary educational program. Parents/Guardians are also expected to participate in the Parent/Guardian Upward Bound Association, to attend meetings, orientation and periodic workshops.
In addition, the program counselors regularly contact parents/guardians concerning student's performance.


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

The University of Georgia participates in the federal TRIO programs "Talent Search" and "Upward Bound". Educational Talent Search (ETS) provides academic, career, and financial counseling to participants, encouraging them to graduate high school or reenter the education system to pursue a higher degree. Upward Bound gives support and opportunities to high school students from low-income families where neither parent holds a bachelor's degree to pursue higher degrees.
(http://trio.uga.edu/).


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

The Peach State Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (Peach State LSAMP) is a collaborative effort sustained by a coalition of seven colleges and universities in Georgia to significantly increase the number of underrepresented minority students statewide who complete undergraduate degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This goal will be accomplished through the implementation of a comprehensive and integrated series of recruitment and retention initiatives that address key transition points from undergraduate recruitment through preparation for graduate school. The promotion of undergraduate research will be a key component of the comprehensive strategies implemented.

Peach State LSAMP is a National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsored program with the mission to significantly increase the number of underrepresented minorities pursuing degrees Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

- http://www.pslsamp.uga.edu/


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

The UGA Faculty Statement on Diversity
The University of Georgia is the flagship institution of higher education in the state of Georgia. It has a duty to prepare its students to function effectively, to be leaders and to be citizens of the state, region and nation. Part of this duty is to prepare students to work in a diverse environment. This duty includes an obligation to expose students to a robust exchange of ideas within a student body representing the greatest possible variety of backgrounds. Such exposure is an essential part of our obligation to prepare students to interact in an increasingly diverse workforce and society, both domestically and internationally. In order to provide a diverse learning environment, the University will adopt policies and practices to increase diversity among its entering students.

ALSO - Intercultural Affairs (ICA) provides student centered support of academic excellence, advocacy, and intercultural education. It supports the institutional mission of fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students and members of the surrounding community. Ultimately, ICA's goal is to carry out the University of Georgia's mission to prepare students to be global citizens through campus based educational initiatives, lectures, student advisement, and leadership development.

Intercultural Affairs (ICA) is composed of FOUR distinct departments whose sole purpose is to serve students and expand opportunities for inter-cultural interaction and experiences for students at UGA:

African American Cultural Center
International Student Life
LGBT Center
Multicultural Services and Programs

Also, see the UGA Diversity Plan: http://diversity.uga.edu/programs/uga_diversity_plan_approved/


The website URL where information about programs in each of the areas listed above is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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