Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 73.93
Liaison Jim Dees
Submission Date April 19, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Appalachian State University
PA-7: Affordability and Access

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.07 / 4.00 Jim Dees
Data and Assessment Specialist
Office of Sustailability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have policies and programs to make it accessible and affordable to low-income students?:
Yes

A brief description of any policies and programs to minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students:

The ACCESS scholarship and support program is Appalachian State's promise to low-income North Carolina students that higher education is within reach. Students who earn a place at Appalachian and are selected for the ACCESS scholarship program have the opportunity to graduate debt-free.

ACCESS offers its scholars a four-year university education at Appalachian without student loans. Specifically, the ACCESS program supplements federal financial aid grants, state grants, scholarships, and other forms of financial assistance with sufficient funds to cover the cost of institutional charges (tuition, fees, room, board, and health insurance). In addition, ACCESS students have the opportunity to have a work-study job to help with personal expenses.

https://studentlearningcenter.appstate.edu/access/about


A brief description of any programs to equip the institution’s faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:

na


A brief description of the institution’s programs to guide and prepare students and families from low-income backgrounds for higher education:

Along with the financial assistance for students, a comprehensive program of Academic and Personal Support is a part of Appalachian's ACCESS program. ACCESS recognizes the challenges and obstacles many of our college students face and we offer support services to help our students adapt to their new campus life and reach their educational goals.

Services offered to all ACCESS students include, but are not limited to, the following:

Orientation advising. All ACCESS students take part in orientation sessions led by our staff members which help our students get better acquainted with our program and Appalachian State as a whole.

Academic advising. Each ACCESS student is assigned an ACCESS advisor who will assist the student until he/she graduates.

Mentoring. New students are paired with a graduate-level mentor for their first year at Applachian. Mentors provide the students with academic help, career exploration assistance, and emotional support.

Professional development opportunities. PDO's bring all first-year students together once every 2 weeks to increase their knowledge about such topics as involvement, budget management, study abroad opportunities, career-related skills, and stress management.

Social events. ACCESS provides its students with the opportunity to attend social functions in order to promote a sense of community and connection outside of the classroom.


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

The university has a number of scholarships that are awarded to students based on financial need: http://www.admissions.appstate.edu/scholarships/search/results/taxonomy%3A70

The university's ACCESS program ensures that eligible low-income students from North Carolina can attend the university debt-free. http://lap.appstate.edu/welcome-access

Federal Pell Grant
All undergraduate students who have not received their first baccalaureate degree are applying for a Federal Pell Grant when they complete the FAFSA. In order to qualify for a Pell Grant, students must have exceptional financial need as determined by Federal Methodology and be enrolled for at least one credit hour required for their degree program (not audit or hours classified as “permit”). Amounts awarded are determined by the federal government and the approved costs associated with attendance at Appalachian.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
This grant is awarded to those students with exceptional need. Students must be an undergraduate, working toward a first baccalaureate degree and enrolled at least half-time in hours required for their degree program (not audit hours or hours classified as “permit”) each term. Funding for this grant is limited and awarding is subject to funds availability. Complete the FAFSA to apply for the FSEOG.

UNC Campus Scholarship
The UNC Campus Scholarship is available for undergraduate students who are first generation college students, students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, or students from traditionally underrepresented populations. These students must have completed a FAFSA, are maintaining satisfactory academic progress, are enrolled full-time in credit hours required for their degree program per semester in a degree-granting program of study, have NC residency and demonstrate financial need to be considered for this scholarship.


A brief description of the institution’s targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:

The Office of Admissions has trained recruiters who target students from low-income backgrounds. The Office of Admissions recently hired an Assistant Director for Access who will be enhancing the university's outreach efforts to low-income students and students from other under-represented populations.

The Upward Bound Program is an academic support program funded by the U.S. Department of Education's TRIO Programs division. The mission of this program is to provide the necessary support for economically disadvantaged and/or first generation high school students to complete high school, enroll in college, and successfully obtain a four-year college degree. http://community.appstate.edu/program/upward-bound

Gear Up Program (see above)


A brief description of the institution’s other policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:

The UNC Campus Native American Scholarship is available to Native American undergraduate students who submit a Tribal Card or a Certificate of Blood, have completed a FAFSA, are maintaining satisfactory academic progress, are enrolled full-time in credit hours required for their degree program (12 or more credit hours), have NC residency, are in a degree-granting program of study, and demonstrate financial need. The scholarship amount is dependent on the number of eligible applicants and the amount of allocated funds each year.

UNC Need-Based Grant: College Foundation of North Carolina administers this grant and makes awards based on the following: the student must be a North Carolina resident; an undergraduate working toward a first baccalaureate degree; be enrolled for at least half-time in hours required for their degree program (6 or more credit hours; not audit or hours classified as “permit”) each term and have substantial financial need. The FAFSA must be submitted no later than the March 1 priority deadline in order for a student to have priority consideration for this grant.

North Carolina Need-Based Grant (NCNB): In order to be considered for this grant, a student must be a resident of North Carolina and demonstrate exceptional need. This grant may be awarded to undergraduate students who meet the above requirements and enroll in at least 6 credit hours required for their degree program (not audit) hours. The student must complete a FAFSA to apply for the NCNB grant.

North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship: College Foundation of North Carolina administers this grant and makes awards based on the following: the student must be a North Carolina resident; an undergraduate working toward a first baccalaureate degree; be enrolled at least half-time in hours required for their degree program (6 or more credit hours; not audit or hours classified as “permit”) each term; must meet all federal student eligibility criteria; and have financial need according to the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA) regulations and State Statute. The FAFSA must be submitted no later than the March 1 priority deadline for priority consideration


Does the institution have policies and programs to support non-traditional students?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s scholarships provided specifically for part-time students:

UNC Need-Based Grant: College Foundation of North Carolina administers this grant and makes awards based on the following: the student must be a North Carolina resident; an undergraduate working toward a first baccalaureate degree; be enrolled for at least half-time in hours required for their degree program (6 or more credit hours; not audit or hours classified as “permit”) each term and have substantial financial need. The FAFSA must be submitted no later than the March 1 priority deadline in order for a student to have priority consideration for this grant.

North Carolina Need-Based Grant (NCNB): In order to be considered for this grant, a student must be a resident of North Carolina and demonstrate exceptional need. This grant may be awarded to undergraduate students who meet the above requirements and enroll in at least 6 credit hours required for their degree program (not audit) hours. The student must complete a FAFSA to apply for the NCNB grant.

North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship: College Foundation of North Carolina administers this grant and makes awards based on the following: the student must be a North Carolina resident; an undergraduate working toward a first baccalaureate degree; be enrolled at least half-time in hours required for their degree program (6 or more credit hours; not audit or hours classified as “permit”) each term; must meet all federal student eligibility criteria; and have financial need according to the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA) regulations and State Statute. The FAFSA must be submitted no later than the March 1 priority deadline for priority consideration


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:

There are two child development centers that have a relationship with Appalachian State:

The Lucy Brock Child Development Center through the Reich College of Education: http://lucybrock.appstate.edu/

The Appalachian Child Development Center: Under the umbrella of the Office of Student Development, the Appalachian Child Development uses a "theme approach" each week. The themes tie in all areas of development (social, emotional, physical, personal skills) as well as reinforce cognitive activities. http://childdevelopment.appstate.edu/


A brief description of the institution’s other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:

The Appalachian Warrior Fund has been established at Appalachian State University to honor veterans.The scholarship fund is for honorably discharged and disabled veterans and their children who have been admitted and enrolled at the university. http://www.news.appstate.edu/2015/01/23/appalachian-warrior-fund/

The Office of Distance Education offers numerous programs and service to support non-traditional students: http://desites.appstate.edu/


Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 of this credit (tracking accessibility and affordability)? (If data is not available, select 'No'):
Yes

The percentage of entering students that are low-income (0-100):
26

The graduation/success rate for low-income students (0-100):
71

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):
66

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):
44

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):
30

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.