Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 48.88
Liaison Barbara Queen
Submission Date June 6, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

California State University, Los Angeles
PA-8: Affordability and Access

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.20 / 4.00 Jonathan Choy
Associate Director
Financial Aid
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Does the institution have policies and programs in place to make it accessible and affordable to low-income students?:
Yes

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A brief description of any policies and programs to minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students:
Financial Aid provides "need-based" financial aid award programs such as Pell Grant, SEOG, EOP, Subsidized Loans, Cal Grant, need and merit-based scholarships, workstudy. For a complete list of financial assistance programs, see: http://www.calstatela.edu/financialaid/types-aid

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A brief description of any programs to equip the institution’s faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:
TRIO is a set of federally-funded college opportunity programs that motivate and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds in their pursuit of a college degree. Over 850,000 low-income, first-generation students and students with disabilities - from sixth grade through college graduation - are served by more than 2,800 programs nationally. TRIO programs provide academic tutoring, personal counseling, mentoring, financial guidance, and other supports necessary for educational access and retention. TRIO programs provide direct support services for students, and relevant training for directors and staff.

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A brief description of any programs to prepare students from low-income backgrounds for higher education:
Since 1969, EOP has been committed to helping disadvantaged students to attend the University. The Cal State L.A. EOP has eleven counselors and over 30 staff members dedicated to provide EOP students the services and the support they need to successfully complete their college education. Programs and services include one-on-one mentoring sessions, financial aid workshops, academic advisement, etc. The collective experiences of our staff and other members of the EOP family are ready to help students meet the challenges of attending a university.

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A brief description of the institution's scholarships for low-income students:
The grant programs offered are determined and prioritized by the EFC, which is calculated using the FAFSA (federal methodology) for U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents. AB540 student (Dreamers) EFC is calculated by California Student Aid Commission via the Dream Application. SUG is the primary need-based grant which is awarded to students with an EFC up to $4,000. Most of the recipients have a $0 to very low EFC. Many of the institutional scholarship have a financial need component requirement for eligibility and consideration.

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A brief description of any programs to guide parents of low-income students through the higher education experience:
The purpose of the Cal State LA Parent Academy is to help the parents of first year college students: •Develop a better understanding about what their son/daughter will experience in college, •Learn what it takes for students to be successful, •Learn how they can help them be successful, •Learn about the resources available, at no cost, which enable students to be more successful, •Have an opportunity to meet and talk with other parents, current students, and professors. Dates and Descriptions October 17, 2015 This program will help parents understand the differences between high school and college and the transition their son/daughter will experience. Information will be provided about what it takes to succeed in college and how parents can support them by making college success a family goal. Form/Payment Due Oct. 16. January 16, 2016 This program focuses on how to pay for college. Detailed information will be provided about completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA deadline March 2, 2016). Information will also be provided about financial aid available from the state, scholarships, grants, and loans. Form/Payment Due Jan. 15. April 16, 2016 The spring program provides parents with information about how to help their son/daughter stay motivated and committed to completing college by seeing the connection of their schoolwork to their career goals, getting involved in campus life, networking and finding a mentor. Form/Payment Due Apr. 15. Parents who attend all three programs will receive a Certificate of Completion!

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A brief description of any targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:
Response provided by Admissions and Recruitment: Our regions encompass low income demographic locations of course. We place ambassadors at these locations to offer consistency on support services, the application process and help throughout the academic year. Recruiters schedule regular presentations and workshops to assist the students with the admissions process.

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A brief description of other admissions policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
The Educational Opportunity Program has been committed to helping disadvantaged students to attend the University. The Cal State L.A. EOP has eleven counselors and over 30 staff members dedicated to provide EOP students the services and the support they need to successfully complete their college education. The collective experiences of our staff and other members of the EOP family are ready to help students meet the challenges of attending a university. For CSU Admissions, the CSU Mentor application allows low income CA residents (and AB-540 eligible) applicants to waive the application fee. The CSU Application Fee Waiver income and eligibility guidelines are established by the CSU Chancellor’s Office, and is used CSU system-wide.

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A brief description of other financial aid policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
Financial Aid offers FAFSA and AB540 workshops prior to the March 2nd priority deadline to help students who need assistance with the application process. The Office also offers walk-in advising. Our office collaborates closely with offices such as Admissions, Housing, EOP, Career Center, and EPIC to provide comprehensive and up to date financial aid workshops that not only apply to low-income students but students that may be affected within each area.

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A brief description of other policies and programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students not covered above:
Financial Aid Office welcomes off-campus requests for financial aid workshops. These requests range from high schools (Cash for College) and community organizations.

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

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A brief description of any scholarships provided specifically for part-time students:
Federal Pell Grant Students must be enrolled full-time (12 units or more) to receive a full-time disbursement of the Pell Grant for a given term. If the student is enrolled less than full-time, the disbursement will be prorated at the time of disbursement. As a result of any enrollment changes, your Pell grant disbursement may increase or decrease. A decrease in eligibility may result in a bill.

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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:
At the Anna Bing Arnold Children’s Center we strive to create a shared community where parents, teachers and the campus join together to provide children with the very best care. For over 45 years the Center has provided child care and development services for student-parents, faculty, staff and the local community. What Sets Us Apart - Each of our classrooms employ two full-time teachers with a B.A. or M.A. Degree in Child Development/ECE and each hold a Master Teacher Permit from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Industry Standard Practice: 12 units in ECE (non-CDE state funded) or 24 units in ECE (CDE funded) - All of our full-time professional staff is certified in First Aid/CPR. Industry Standard Practice/Required: one teacher per classroom CPR/First Aid Certified - Our teacher child ratio is 1:3 Infants; 1:4 Toddlers and 1:7 Preschool. The ratios listed for ABACC do not include our interns or practicum students. When interns and practicum are included, our ratio can be half of what is listed above, giving our paid staff more opportunities for one on one and small group interaction. Industry Standard Practice: 1:4 Infants; 1:6 Toddlers and 1:12 Preschool (non-CDE state funded programs) - Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) for 23 years. Industry Standard: Only 8% of Child Development Programs in the nation hold accreditation by NAEYC. Received multiple commendation from NAEYC for high standards and best practices within the field of Early Childhood Education - Received repeated commendation from the California Department of Education’s Early Education and Support Division (EESD) as an exemplary model of early childhood programs during CDE Contract Compliance Reviews - High professional (full time) staff retention (90% for 2014 review) - Senior education staff approaching 25 years with Anna Bing Arnold Children’s Center - All of our part-time assistants are made up of Cal State LA students who must be working towards a degree in Child Development, Social Work or a similiar field which involves learning how to work effectively with children - The Center provides at least 7 full days per year of in-house staff development, and budgets for teachers to train out in the field. Aside from the staff development days, teachers have bi-weekly meetings to discuss classroom practice and have weekly release time for curriculum planning and assessment - ABACC Lead Teachers formally mentor over 50 student teachers per year and the Center clocks over 5000 hours per year of practicum, internship and observation experience for Cal State LA students - ABACC Pre-Kindergarten Program vs. School District Transitional Kindergarten Vision Statement The Anna Bing Arnold Children’s Center respects culture, individuality and supports creativity and self- expression. We value the connections with our families, Cal State L.A. and the broader community and strive to build nurturing and meaningful relationships.

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A brief description of other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:
The Veteran's Resource Center, Office for Students with Disabilities, EOP, and Dean of Students office coordinate services to meet the needs of non-traditional students.

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Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 of this credit (accessibility and affordability indicators)?:
Yes

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Indicators that the institution is accessible and affordable to low-income students::
Percentage (0-100)
The percentage of entering students that are low-income 73
The graduation/success rate for low-income students 44
The percentage of student financial need met, on average 68
The percentage of students graduating with no interest-bearing student loan debt 35

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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:
68

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