Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 52.11
Liaison Mary-Lee Townsend
Submission Date Aug. 22, 2011
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.1

Western University
PAE-10: Affordability and Access Programs

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Brandon Watson
Communications and Training Officer
Physical Plant and Capital Planning 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:

The Federal TRIO Programs (TRIO) are federal outreach and student services programs in the United States designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. They are administered, funded, and implemented by the United States Department of Education. Thus, not applicable to Western.


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

The Government of Ontario, in partnership with the province's colleges and universities, delivers the Student Access Guarantee. The Student Access Guarantee’s goal is that no qualified Ontario student should be prevented from attending our public colleges and universities because of a lack of financial support. Through this guarantee, Western will provide enough financial aid to cover students’ assessed needs for tuition, books and mandatory fees if these are not fully met by OSAP. Students are automatically considered for a Student Access Guarantee aid based on OSAP application.

http://www.registrar.uwo.ca/index.cfm/student-finances/bursaries/


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:

There are various summer not-for-profit programs offered through the Faculty of Engineering for elementary to high school students. The programs are staffed by students which strives to increase the awareness of, and cultivate interest in engineering and technology in young people in London, Ontario and the surrounding communities. As well, there are programs offered only to girls to break down gender-biased engineering stereotypes and develop female interest in engineering.

Bursaries are available in all programs for parents that would otherwise be unable to send their children to camp.

The programs are:
1. Discovery Western - elementary students
2. Western Engineering Summer Academy - high school students
3. Girls' Club - Grades 5 to 9
4. Girls Recognizing Engineering and Technology - Grades 4 to 9

http://www.eng.uwo.ca/DW/default.htm

Additionally, 'Bit by Bit Computer Camp' is offered in the summer through the Computer Science Department to encourage and promote awareness of technology and computer science aimed at children ages 10 to 15.

http://www.csd.uwo.ca/bitbybit/


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

Western's Need-Based Awards are given to students based on a combination of academic merit, demonstration of financial need, and in some cases, non-academic requirements.

http://www.registrar.uwo.ca/index.cfm/student-finances/scholarships-awards/need-based-awards/


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:

Western and the University Students' Council (USC) recognize that students often decide their future educational pathways at an early age, and have committed to successfully organize the 'Choose Your Own Adventure' (CYOA) Conference, in order to help facilitate access to resources and information about post-secondary education.

The CYOA Conference has been established throughout the London community over the past four years, and during that time, has invited many Grade 8 students to attend this informative leadership conference. This year (2011), USC reached out to groups of Grade 8 students who are at-risk, low-income students, and may be under-represented in post-secondary education.

(http://www.usc.uwo.ca/page.asp?id=149)


A brief description of the institution’s other admissions policies and programs:

The Project Hero Scholarship is an initiative co-founded by Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Kevin Reed and Retired General Rick Hillier to provide support to the sons and daughters of Canadian military killed while serving in an active mission. Recipients will have tuition covered, including ancillary and other compulsory fees as well as up to $10,000 towards the first year residence and meal plan costs

http://www.registrar.uwo.ca/index.cfm/student-finances/scholarships-awards/project-hero-scholarship/.


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

The Senior Citizen Bursary is available to senior citizens who are registered at main campus, and is awarded on the basis of financial need. The value of the bursary shall cover up to the cost of tuition or the maximum of $6000 per term (fall/winter) for non-grad students and $3277 per term for graduate students.


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

The First Generation Bursary provides direct support to students with financial need who are the first in their families to attend a post-secondary institution. The Bursary ranges from $1000-3500 dollars, and students with the highest financial need will be selected from the eligible submissions through the Financial Application Profile.


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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