| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 66.18 |
| Liaison | Phil Valko |
| Submission Date | March 2, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Washington University in St. Louis
PA-7: Affordability and Access
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.73 / 4.00 |
Michael
Runiewicz Director Student Financial Services |
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:
The components included within a financial assistance award based on financial need are specific to each family’s financial circumstances and work together to make enrollment a reality. Students are generally eligible to receive financial assistance for eight semesters. For students admitted to combined-degree programs requiring more than four years of study, aid will be extended beyond eight semesters.
Students who receive financial assistance come from a wide variety of family income levels since many factors (such as household size, the number of children in the household attending college, the parents’ age, etc.) affect eligibility. All applicants are encouraged to apply for financial assistance.
Washington University has eliminated need-based loans as part of its undergraduate financial aid awards to students from low- and middle-income families. Entering first-year students and returning full-time undergraduate day-school students with parental incomes of less than $75,000 annually are not awarded need-based loans and instead receive grants from the university that will not have to be repaid.
Families with parental income somewhat higher than $75,000 also may receive additional student loan relief based on demonstrated need and their financial circumstances.
In addition, WashU has eliminated application fees.
A brief description of any programs to equip the institution’s faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:
All Student Financial Services staff take a sensitivity training to better equip them to speak with students from low-income backgrounds.
The Teaching Center offers a variety of workshops that better prepare instructors to teach a diverse student body. One upcoming example includes:
Inclusive Teaching and Learning: Fostering Civil Discourse in “Uncivil” Times
This workshop for Washington University faculty is co-sponsored by the Center for Diversity and Inclusion.
While topics related to identity, inequality, power, and politics have always been challenging to discuss in the classroom, teaching these topics seems to have become increasingly complex during this time of division and conflict. This workshop will provide an opportunity for faculty to discuss these challenges and to develop concrete strategies for fostering civil, respectful discussions in order to advance understanding across differences. Topics will include i) establishing ground-rules and expectations, ii) teaching through tense moments, and iii) addressing bias in the classroom.
Presenters: Beth Fisher, PhD, Director of Academic Services (The Teaching Center) and Lecturer (WGSS) and Christi Smith, PhD, Assistant Dean and Senior Scholar (Center for Diversity and Inclusion)
A brief description of the institution’s programs to guide and prepare students and families from low-income backgrounds for higher education:
Our Student Financial Services counselors contact all high school guidance counselors in the St Louis region, especially those with low income populations, to offer workshops and one-on-one meetings on how to fill out financial aid applications every year. WashU also sponsors a College Advising Corps program through which we place full time WashU employees as college counselors in under resourced St. Louis area high schools.
WUSTL hosts & provides financial support for a College Summit conference on campus every summer. College Summit is a national nonprofit organization that partners with schools and districts to strengthen college-going culture and increase college enrollment rates, so that all students graduate career and college-ready.
To help talented high school students from our own region succeed at the college of their choice, Washington University launched the College Prep Program in 2014. Participating scholars live and learn on campus, prepare for their own college career, and connect with other talented students. The program is free. The College Prep Program is an immersive, on-campus learning experience at Washington University. Incoming scholars live on campus for two weeks the summer after freshman year and three weeks the summers after sophomore and junior year. College Prep scholars also attend workshops, lectures, and campus activities throughout the school year. Graduates of the program leave ready to excel — academically and socially — in college.
A brief description of the institution's scholarships for low-income students:
While WashU does not have any designated low-income scholarships, scholarships are given according to the policy outlined above in adequate amounts to cover the full need of students who qualify.
A brief description of the institution’s targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:
Washington University Admission counselors travel the country to connect with prospective students and their families to provide counsel for academically talented students from under resourced low-income backgrounds and are well acquainted with the institution’s stated goals to increase diversity of its student body and to make a Washington University educational experience available to all students, regardless of financial need.
Our Admissions staff conducts high school visits, host student interview days, attends college fairs, and conducts essay writing workshops and case studies, as well as, other recruiting events that create awareness and access for low income students engaged in the college selection process. Targeted outreach efforts include collaboration with guidance counselors, teachers, community-based organizations, and community leaders who engage high schools with significant populations of high-achieving students from underrepresented populations.
Our key partnerships include College Bound, KIPP, Arkansas Commitment, A Better Chance, Chicago Scholars, Target Hope, QuestBridge, EMERGE, and Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America (LEDA).
Washington University in St. Louis also is a member school with the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success to provide substantial support to lower-resourced and underrepresented students. We have also partnered with College Greenlight and Raise. Me to provide additional scholarship opportunities to first generation, low-income, and underrepresented students. Additionally, we offer individual travel grants and invitations to special fly-ins for students who need financial assistance to be able to visit campus.
A brief description of the institution’s other policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
WashU meets the full need of all admitted students, including all low-income students who are admitted to the university. For students coming from families who make less than $75,000/year, we meet students’ full need without student loans through scholarships and work-study jobs. WashU takes a personalized approach to financial assistance and we work individually with families to ensure WashU remains affordable for them. In addition to collecting information on standard financial aid surveys, we solicit extra information to paint a better picture of students’ situations to better assess their needs. We also direct students concerned with their financial standing to our offices via word of mouth in case they are less than forthcoming.
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:
Tuition Assistance & Remission Programs
Contract Employee Scholarship Program
Contract employees who work full time on WashU's campuses are encouraged to take classes at University College for free or reduced cost. This program allows employees to earn a degree, certificate, or simply explore their interests in a stimulating academic setting. Learn more about the Contract Employee Scholarship program.
Half-tuition for Individuals 60 and Over
People 60 years of age and over may enroll for credit in most University College courses at one-half the regular tuition. Exceptions include Applied Music, Doctor of Liberal Arts, Independent Courses (i.e. Independent Study, Directed Research, Master's Thesis), Special Programs (i.e. M.S. Biology for Science Teachers), and courses in which enrollment is limited. This discount cannot be combined with the WashU Tuition Assistance benefit, University College scholarships or military benefits. A birth certificate, driver's license, or other official verification of age is required at the time of registration.
St. Louis Area City & School District Tuition Assistance
Clayton City, St. Louis City, and University City employees and school district teachers are eligible to take classes at half the standard University College tuition. Learn more about the St. Louis Area City & School District Tuition Assistance program.
WashU Tuition Assistance
Full-time WashU employees and their families are eligible for University College tuition remission. Learn more about WashU's Tuition Assistance program.
Community College Scholarship
A merit-based scholarship for new undergraduate students who recently graduated from a community college with a 3.7 GPA. The scholarship is intended to recognize academic excellence among St. Louis area community college students who seek to continue their education through University College at Washington University.
Additional scholarship programs for non-traditional and part time students: https://ucollege.wustl.edu/tuition-aid/financial-aid/scholarships
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:
No
A brief description of the institution’s other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:
University College Programs & Degrees
Washington University has offered outstanding continuing education and professional programs since 1908. As the needs of their students increased, University College, the professional and continuing education division of Arts & Sciences, was founded officially in 1931 and has been serving the St. Louis region ever since.
While their programs and offerings have evolved, their mission has remained the same: to give adult students the opportunity to experience the excitement of attending and earning a degree or certificate from a world-class research institution. University College is continued education at its highest quality, with tuition rates that are surprisingly affordable and competitive.
With more than 50 programs of study, you'll find degrees and certificates that will help you advance your career, explore new fields, and grow personally and professionally. Even those who aren't seeking a degree will find their place—our open enrollment policy allows students to take evening undergraduate courses on a non-degree basis while exploring their interests. Offerings include: certificate, advanced certificate, undergraduate, graduate, post-baccalaureate, pre-college and online programs.
The Office of Military and Veteran Services is Washington University’s focal point for military and veteran matters, to include facilitating the transition of military and veteran students into higher education, increasing student recruitment, engagement, tracking and support programs and services, and developing partnerships with campus services, community-based organizations, and federal, state and local government agencies.
The university is enriched by the presence of several student veteran associations (SVAs), student-led chapters that are the “boots on the ground” that provide peer-to-peer support, which has been linked to academic success and an easier transition to campus for student veterans:
- Washington University Student Veterans Association
- Olin Veterans Association (School of Business)
- Student Veterans Association at WashU Law
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 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.