Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 67.18
Liaison Weston Dripps
Submission Date Aug. 19, 2024

STARS v3.0

Amherst College
PA-9: Affordability and Access

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.50 / 3.00 Weston Dripps
Director of Sustainability
Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

9.1 Number of paid work-hours per year required to meet the average net price of attendance for low-income students

Does the institution have the required data and wish to pursue this indicator?:
Yes

Local currency code:
Dollars

Local hourly minimum wage for students:
15

Average annual net price of attendance for low-income students:
2,850

If wage and price data are provided, the Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following two figures:

 

Number of paid work-hours per year required to meet the average net price of attendance for low-income students:
190

Points earned for indicator PA 9.1:
1

9.2 Percentage of students that are low-income

Does the institution have the required data and wish to pursue this indicator?:
Yes

Percentage of students that are low-income:
31

Description of the methodology used to identify low-income students:

This figure includes:

  1. the proportion of students who are awarded Pell grants (24%)
  2. the proportion of students who are international students and fall in a similar socio-economic group (7%)

 


The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:

Points earned for indicator PA 9.2:
0.50

9.3 Legacy and donor admissions

Is an applicant’s relationship to the institution’s alumni or donors a factor that is positively considered in the institution’s admission decisions?:
No

Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the factors that are considered in the institution’s admission decisions:

Amherst College ended its previous practice of a legacy admission preference in 2021.

The college ended the program because it inadvertently limits educational opportunity by granting a preference to those whose parents are graduates of the College. ,Amhers strives to create as much opportunity for as many academically talented young people as possible, regardless of financial background or legacy status. There should be no doubt that a world-class education is within reach for students from all income groups. At Amherst, that includes a need-blind admission process that offers substantial loan-free scholarship support for the vast majority of families and a financial aid program that will expand the number of students and families who can afford an Amherst education. It will also help them, once admitted, take full advantage of their educational experience without financial pressure.

 More details are available in the press release.

 

 


The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:

Points earned for indicator PA 9.3:
1

Optional documentation

Notes about the information provided for this credit:
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Additional documentation for this credit:
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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.