| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 76.79 |
| Liaison | Mike Wilson |
| Submission Date | Jan. 27, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Victoria
PA-7: Affordability and Access
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.34 / 4.00 |
Lori
Nolt Director, Student Awards and Financial Aid Office of the Registrar |
Does the institution have policies and programs 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:
Disbursement of student awards and financial aid to eligible students directly supports UVic’s Strategic Plan as outlined its following:
- Objective 2: To actively recruit and retain outstanding students from diverse regions and backgrounds and remove barriers to admission and retention other than academic and creative potential.
- Objective 3: To continue to increase the number of Indigenous students graduating from all faculties at UVic, building on our commitment to and our unique relationship with the First Peoples of Canada.
For the 2015-16 academic year, UVic awarded $13,635,000 in student financial aid including bursaries, scholarships and work study subsidies. Bursaries (non-repayable awards) are available for undergraduate and graduate students based on financial need and reasonable academic standing.
Student loans are available from the government, also based on financial need.
A brief description of any programs to equip the institution’s faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:
Departments and schools across the campus are encouraged to hire part time students under the subsidized work study program for students demonstrating financial need. Student Awards and Financial Aid has regular direct contact with departments, as well as through the use of an on-going newsletter to assist in informing schools, departments and students of financing available.
A brief description of the institution’s programs to guide and prepare students and families from low-income backgrounds for higher education:
UVic hosts many events, such as “Discover UVic” or “Explore UVic”, which invites local high school students to visit UVic and learn about what programming is available to potential students. A prominent part of this event is the presentation and availability of funding choices for students, which includes a “funding and living expenses” calculator. In addition, Student Awards and Financial Aid accompanies Outreach recruitment teams to high schools across BC and other regions of Canada with explicit information on how to acquire financing. Examples of funding made available are:
UVic Bursaries: http://www.uvic.ca/registrar/safa/bursaries/index.php
UVic Scholarships: http://www.uvic.ca/registrar/safa/entrance-scholarships/index.php
UVic Work Study program: https://www.uvic.ca/registrar/safa/work-study/
BC Government student aid (StudentAidBC): https://studentaidbc.ca/
Federal government student aid (CanLearn): http://www.esdc.gc.ca/en/student_financial_aid/index.page
A brief description of the institution's scholarships for low-income students:
Scholarships at UVic are awarded based on academic merit; however, some Entrance Scholarships do consider financial need as well, such as the Schulich Leader Scholarships entrance award. Bursaries are awarded based on financial need and reasonable academic standing. UVic also has an emergency loan fund which provides short term assistance to students experiencing an unanticipated and urgent financial crisis. See: http://www.uvic.ca/registrar/safa/
A brief description of the institution’s targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:
The bursaries for low income students, scholarship funding and the work study part time employment program are widely advertised as part of UVic student recruitment efforts. Student Recruitment and Global Engagement also specifically target high schools that are situated in known areas low-income status. For example, one such program targets First Nation's communities and offers an on campus "summer camp" for potential students of indigenous heritage. The purpose of the target outreach program is to provide potential students considering higher education opportunities to have “campus experience” before attending UVic, thus increasing their chance of academic success. Access to funding and student aid tool kits and availability information is part of the recruitment target program.
A brief description of the institution’s other policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
UVic’s Student Awards policy (AC1130) clearly recognizes that student awards are available to assist students in overcoming financial barriers that could otherwise jeopardize the successful completion of their studies, and to support the university’s goal to recruit and retain a diverse group of exceptionally talented students. See: http://www.uvic.ca/universitysecretary/assets/docs/policies/AC1130_2310_.pdf. This policy also supports UVic Strategic Plan (2012).
An example of making the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students is demonstrated in a program designed to support and encourage youth out of government care: UVic Youth in Care. This programs offers up to 8 academic terms for the first degree free for youth from this vulnerable population. Bursaries are also available to assist in the cost of living for this group. UVic promotes this program to high school counselors across BC.
Does the institution have policies and programs to support non-traditional students?:
A brief description of the institution’s scholarships provided specifically for part-time students:
Many scholarships and bursaries are available for UVic students studying part time, especially for those students who are sole-support parents. In addition, the work study program provides additional financial assistance through on-campus part-time employment opportunities for students with documented financial aid. International students may also be eligible for student awards and financial aid including entrance scholarships and work study. See: http://www.uvic.ca/registrar/safa/
A brief description of the institution’s on-site child care facility, partnership with a local facility, and/or subsidies or financial support to help meet the child care needs of students:
UVic has an onsite child care facility that accepts the children of students, staff, faculty and alumni. Child care fees are at market rates. Funding support in the form of bursaries are available for undergraduate and graduate students requiring child care services. See: http://www.uvic.ca/services/childcare/index.php.
A brief description of the institution’s other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:
UVic's Family Student Housing Complex provides subsidized on-campus housing for 181 undergraduate and graduate students with children, conveniently located beside UVic Child Care. http://www.uvic.ca/home/about/campus-info/maps/maps/r01.php. The complex also includes a Family Centre to support the unique needs of families where one or more members is a student. See: http://www.uvic.ca/familycentre/.
Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 of this credit (tracking accessibility and affordability)? (If data is not available, select 'No'):
The percentage of entering students that are low-income (0-100):
The graduation/success rate for low-income students (0-100):
On average, the percentage of need that was met for students who were awarded any need-based aid (e.g. as reported to the U.S. Common Data Set initiative, item H2) (0-100):
The percentage of students graduating with no interest-bearing student loan debt or for whom no out-of-pocket tuition is required (i.e. the percentage of graduates who have not taken out interest-bearing loans) (0-100):
Estimated percentage of students that participate in or directly benefit from the institution’s policies and programs to support low-income and non-traditional students (0-100):
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The percentages in PART 2 are based on funding distributed to students in financial need after they have received their loans from other sources (i.e. government loans, scholarships based on academic merit). The remainder of the funds correspond to student unmet need.
The Canadian federal and provincial governments do not provide numbers to higher education institutions on the number of low-income students that have received financial aid. UVic in particular will only know if a student has received financial aid from government sources if the student then applies for funding through UVic’s programs.
The allocation formula used to distribute bursary funding is designed to ensure a greater level of support for students with the most significant financial barriers. The pool of applicants with the highest financial need is primarily composed of students with dependents. In consideration of the significant financial barriers that exist for high need students, applicants with need greater than $10,000 were awarded bursaries to cover 100 percent of the need not covered by other sources.
In 2015-16 academic year, UVic managed $37,157,000 of student funding in total for entrance scholarships, in-course scholarships, bursaries, work study, and loans and grants.
The percentages in PART 2 are based on funding distributed to students in financial need after they have received their loans from other sources (i.e. government loans, scholarships based on academic merit). The remainder of the funds correspond to student unmet need.
The Canadian federal and provincial governments do not provide numbers to higher education institutions on the number of low-income students that have received financial aid. UVic in particular will only know if a student has received financial aid from government sources if the student then applies for funding through UVic’s programs.
The allocation formula used to distribute bursary funding is designed to ensure a greater level of support for students with the most significant financial barriers. The pool of applicants with the highest financial need is primarily composed of students with dependents. In consideration of the significant financial barriers that exist for high need students, applicants with need greater than $10,000 were awarded bursaries to cover 100 percent of the need not covered by other sources.
In 2015-16 academic year, UVic managed $37,157,000 of student funding in total for entrance scholarships, in-course scholarships, bursaries, work study, and loans and grants.
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.