Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 51.13
Liaison Jay Price
Submission Date Oct. 12, 2011
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.1

University of Tennessee at Knoxville
PAE-10: Affordability and Access Programs

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Preston Jacobsen
Sustainability Manager
Facilities Services
"---" 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:

TH UT Knoxville College Education, Health and Human Science's Enrichment Programs is a group of six TRIO programs providing educational, career, and student financial aid / scholarship services. The programs are funded through the U.S. Department of Education under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and all services are FREE.

Pre-College Enrichment Programs has been a part of UT Knoxville since 1980 when Dr. Ernest Brewer, Principle Investigator / Project Director, obtained funding for his first TRIO Program, Talent Search. Over the years, Dr. Brewer has expanded UT Federal Programs to include other TRIO Programs offering a wider range of services and reaching thousands of individuals needing assistance in pursuing their educational goals.

UT Federal Programs include Pre-College Upward Bound, Academic Enrichment Upward Bound, Math & Science Regional Center, Veterans Upward Bound, and Educational Opportunity Center. Services are provided primarily to individuals whose parents do not have a four-year college degree and/or whose family's taxable income meets specified U.S. Department of Education guidelines.


A brief description of the institution’s policies and programs to minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students?:
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A brief description of the institution’s programs to equip the institution's faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:
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A brief description of the institution’s programs to prepare students from low-income backgrounds for higher education:

The UT Knoxville Academic Enrichment Upward Bound Program is a pre-college program that is funded by the U.S. Department of Education for high school students in grades 10-12. Since 1981, the program has helped potential first-generation college students and students from families who meet income guidelines established by the federal government to graduate from high school, attend college, and reach their full potential while in college. The program provides tutoring, ACT preparation, college and career information, instruction in academics, cultural enrichment and social counseling on a one-to-one basis with students in the program. It also gives students a chance to experience what college might be like following through a four-week residential program on campus during the summer.


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

Tennessee Pledge Scholarships are available to first-year students who are Tennessee residents and who come from families that meet income guidelines established by the federal government.

Achieve the Dream Grants are based on academic achievement and financial need. Awards come in the form of four-year grants with a maximum amount of $3,000 per year, when combined with the UT Volunteer or University Scholarships. 

The Tennessee Promise Scholarship program is the only one of its kind in the state. Any new student who is admitted and enrolls at the University of Tennessee from one of the eligible high schools will receive a scholarship valued at up to $7,382 per year plus a $1,200 award for other educational expenses. The Promise Scholarship, combined with the HOPE and other university scholarships, will provide funds to assist with tuition and fees for up to four years (eight semesters) on the Knoxville campus.


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

A Deferred Payment Plan (DPP) is available to students in good financial standing. Eligible students may enroll in a payment plan. The DPP permits eligible students to pay 50% of the total term charges plus a $20.00 service charge on or before the published due date of each term. The remaining balance for the term is due approximately 45 days after the first due date.


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

TN BEST was created to make higher education more affordable to the citizens of Tennessee. TN BEST allows any person to pay for future college tuition and mandatory fees now through the purchase of affordable tuition units. Tuition units may be used at private and out-of-state institutions as well as Tennessee's public universities, and anyone who wants to set up a TN BEST plan for a child residing in Tennessee can participate.


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.