Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 49.70
Liaison Michael Lizotte
Submission Date Sept. 18, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

University of North Carolina, Charlotte
PA-8: Affordability and Access

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.31 / 4.00 Michael Lizotte
University Sustainability Officer
Facilities Planning
"---" 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 any policies and programs to minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students:

Financial aid programs that specifically address low-income students include Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grants, University of North Carolina Need-Based Grants, State-Appropriated Grants, and Tuition Assistance Grants. UNC Charlotte offers more than 140 need-based scholarships annually to provide assistance to students who have demonstrated financial need. Federal work-study and Federal subsidized loans are need-based. Textbook rental and digital programs have been instituted, and faculty are provided with guidance on how they can help control textbook costs for students. The University revised University Policy 204 on Textbooks and INstructional Materials in 2015 to formally recognize the need to lower costs to students.


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

The university distributes a publication, "Students' Pathway to Success: A Faculty Guide", which includes a section on "Diversity, Inclusion, and Cultural Awareness". It covers university diversity policies and demographics, and has a Subsection on "Socio-Economic Status" covering research and best practices. Textbook cost-control issues are covered in new faculty orientation.


A brief description of any programs to prepare students from low-income backgrounds for higher education:

Building Educational Strengths and Talents (BEST) is a federal TRiO Student Support Services program serving 164 first-generation students. BEST provides assessments, campus services orientation, enrichment activities, financial literacy, and tutoring. (http://ucae.uncc.edu/programs/best)


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

In additional to the Federal Pell Grants and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, the university offers multiple grant programs based on financial need, including: University of North Carolina Need-Based Grants; North Carolina Education Lottery Grants; State Appropriated Grants; and Tuition Assistanace Grants. The Graduate School offers two scholarships that are need-based (http://graduateschool.uncc.edu/funding-resources/philanthropic-awards) and has a new Tuition Scholarship that is need-based (http://graduateschool.uncc.edu/funding-resources/other-graduate-school-awards/tuition-scholarships).


A brief description of any programs to guide parents of low-income students through the higher education experience:
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A brief description of any targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:
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A brief description of other admissions policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
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A brief description of other financial aid policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
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A brief description of other policies and programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students not covered above:

The university has developed a website to help students understand ways to manage money and debt (http://manageyourmoney.uncc.edu/)


Does the institution have policies and programs in place to support non-traditional students?:
Yes

A brief description of any scholarships provided specifically for part-time students:

The university offers 20 scholarships for non-traditional students, and only one is limited to full-time students.


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:
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A brief description of other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:
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Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 of this credit (accessibility and affordability indicators)?:
Yes

Indicators that the institution is accessible and affordable to low-income students::
Percentage (0-100)
The percentage of entering students that are low-income 41
The graduation/success rate for low-income students ---
The percentage of student financial need met, on average 55.90
The percentage of students graduating with no interest-bearing student loan debt 34

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:
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The website URL where information about the institution's affordability and access programs is available:
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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.