Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 66.69
Liaison Margaret Lo
Submission Date Dec. 16, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Ball State University
PA-8: Affordability and Access

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 4.00 Dr. Charlene Alexander
Chief Strategy Officer
Office of the President
"---" 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 any policies and programs to minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students:

Both the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid work with graduation and retention specialists to provide support for 21st Century scholars. They also work with students to ensure they stay on track to graduate in four years.


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

N/A


A brief description of any programs to prepare students from low-income backgrounds for higher education:

Ball State University also offers the following: 21st Century Scholars Day Program (admissions), High School Nights attended by financial aid staff to discuss process of financial aid literacy, costs, awards, etc., College Goal Sunday (FA).

Ball State University serves as a host site for the Teen Works Summer Program. Teen Works provides a six-week summer employment and college readiness program and supportive services for teens throughout the school year.

While our paid employment program gives teens the chance to earn a paycheck, the Teen Works experience is so much more than a job. Participating teens build professional resumes, gain job skills for the future, participate in volunteer projects to give back to the community, and receive hands-on instruction to build key college and career readiness skills in areas like technology, finances and leadership.

During the summer program, Teen Works provides transportation, daily meals, and direct support to help teens enroll in accelerated college degree programs
and apply for college. During the school year, Teen Works continues to provide support to our students through mentoring, 360 socials, and community service outings. As they prepare to begin college, all Teen Works teens are also eligible for one of six annual college scholarships provided by the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Family Foundation.

The Office of Institutional Diversity offers Dream Makers Day. Dream Makers Day is a day of dynamic community engagement and a learning experience for students who will be enrolled at Muncie Central High School grades 11 or 12. The purpose of the experience is for students to discover how a college education can help them achieve their dreams and learn about the various majors at Ball State University. Additionally, the program was started as a way to build relationships with the Muncie Coalition of Concerned Clergy and demonstrate our commitment to opening doors for employment at Ball State University.


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

We offer Ball State Grants and Ball State Fees Assistance to students in low to middle income categories. These range from $500.00 to $2,000.00/year and can be renewed based upon the student's continued need. There are also a variety of Ball State University Foundation Scholarships available through generous donations of alumni and friends of the University, that are based at least in part on a student's need.

In depth information and directions are listed on the Financial Aid and Scholarships website: http://cms.bsu.edu/admissions/scholarshipsandfinancialaid/typesofaid/scholarships/ballstatescholarships. A link to outside scholarships is also posted on the Financial Aid and Scholarships website.


A brief description of any programs to guide parents of low-income students through the higher education experience:

During orientation for incoming students, various offices including the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships provide workshops to parents representing all levels of income. An example of this would be a presentation, Straight Talk About Money, which has been recorded so that participants can refer back to information that was provided,
http://cms.bsu.edu/media-gallery/galleries/admissions/orientation2012/straight-talk-about-money


A brief description of any targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:

21st Century Scholars Day, provides the opportunity for students to apply with an application fee waiver (and waive the enrollment deposit at times). Ball State University staff from Admissions and Financial Aid offer High School and college fairs visits in urban areas.

The Office of Institutional Diversity offers a Dream Makers Day. Dream Makers Day is a day of dynamic community engagement and a learning experience for students who will be enrolled at Central High School in grades 11 or 12. The purpose of the experience is for students to discover how a college education can help them achieve their dreams and learn about various majors at Ball State University. Additionally, the program was started as a way to build our relationships with the Muncie Coalition of Concerned Clergy and demonstrate our commitment to opening doors for employment at Ball State University.


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

Ball State University staff from Admissions and Financial Aid offers High School and college fairs visits in urban areas.


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

The Ball State University Financial Aid and Scholarship website:
http://cms.bsu.edu/admissions/scholarshipsand financialaid/
provides helpful information for both incoming and current students. One option listed on the website, "Funding your Education", includes a guide to federal student aid provided by the US Department of Education. This document provides information about preparing to pay for college including information about federal student aid grants, work-study programs, and loans.


A brief description of other policies and programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students not covered above:

Participate in Federal Perkins Loan, SEOG, and work study programs that are geared toward low-income students


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

A brief description of any scholarships provided specifically for part-time students:

Ball State offers a wide variety of scholarships for our full-time and part-time students. Scholarships for both academic merit and financial need are offered. In depth information and directions are listed on the Financial Aid and Scholarships website
http://cms.bsu.edu/admissions/scholarshipsandfinancialaid/typesofaid/scholarships/ballstatescholarships. A link to outside scholarships is also posted on the Financial Aid and Scholarships website.


A brief description of any onsite child care facilities, partnerships with local facilities, and/or subsidies or financial support to help meet the child care needs of students:

The Child Study Center,http://cms.bsu.edu/map/buildings/campus/child-study-center, is sponsored by the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences and is open to the Ball State community (faculty, staff, students and community). The Child Study Center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Additional information is provided on the website.

WorkLife Programs, a branch of Ball State University's Human Resources Services, offers information about a state-wide childcare provider finder service.
http://cms.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/humanresources/worklife/childparentinfo
A link to the Family & Social Services Administration is also included at the WorkLife programs website along with information about fee assistance including CCDF vouchers. This website is accessible to both Ball State University staff and students.


A brief description of other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:

Non-traditional orientation sessions provided specific to their needs. Admission policies specific to non-traditional students (which Ball State defines as 23 years of age or older).

Ball State offers several programs and services to non-traditional students to help with the transition to college life including: child care, The Learning Center, university apartments, CLEP Exams, Military Service Credits, the Office of Veteran Affairs, online courses, health insurance, recreation passes and unique scholarship opportunities.
http://cms.bsu.edu/academics/advising/gettingstarted/adultstudents


Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 of this credit (accessibility and affordability indicators)?:
No

Indicators that the institution is accessible and affordable to low-income students::
Percentage (0-100)
The percentage of entering students that are low-income ---
The graduation/success rate for low-income students ---
The percentage of student financial need met, on average ---
The percentage of students graduating with no interest-bearing student loan debt ---

The percentage of students that participate in or directly benefit from the institution’s policies and programs to support low-income and non-traditional students:
---

The website URL where information about the institution's affordability and access programs is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

The Centennial Commitment (18 by '18): Embracing the Ball State Legacy of Beneficence and Entrepreneurship includes achieving 17% of entering freshmen from underrepresented populations by 2018.

Ball State does not currently track the information requested in Part 2 of this credit.


The Centennial Commitment (18 by '18): Embracing the Ball State Legacy of Beneficence and Entrepreneurship includes achieving 17% of entering freshmen from underrepresented populations by 2018.

Ball State does not currently track the information requested in Part 2 of this credit.

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.