California State University, Sacramento
PA-8: Affordability and Access

Through the work of Student Academic Success and Educational Equity Programs (SASEEP) the following core programs provide support to low-income students, which include the Educational Opportunity Program, the College Assistance Migrant Program, and the Faculty Student Mentor Program. Specifically, these programs provide grants to minimize the cost of attendance, outreach services and advising, and program mentorship to help student navigate college.

Each year the SASEEP Unit provides a university-wide Mentoring and Tutoring Institute to advance the goals of retention and graduation. Speakers from throughout the nation are brought in to provide faculty and staff training on how to work with low income college students. Bi-weekly and monthly meetings are held of College based faculty and staff from each of the seven colleges to customize trainings to the needs of low income and first generation college students through the DEGREES Project and Faculty Student Mentor Program. Regular meetings are also supported by a speaker series as delivered by the Serna Center which promotes research, civic engagement, and global understanding of issues impacting Sacramento State scholars. The institution also hosts an annual Student Academic Success Day to provide low income students and students at large with resources to meet their goals of college success and ultimately graduation.

To promote access to higher education, each of the educational equity programs offered on campus provides outreach services, workshops, and educational fairs to promote the higher education experience. These outreach programs help to prepare students for higher education and include the following: The American Indian Summer Institute (AISI) - an access effort that exposes American Indian students to college life and assists them through the application process. The EOP Outreach Component- provides admissions and college preparation workshops in Sacramento State’s top feeder schools. The CAMP Outreach Component- assists some 70 schools per year to prepare for the rigors of college and holds an annual counselors conference to educate students from migrant and seasonal farm worker backgrounds. The Education Fair, as hosted by the CSU advances the goals of higher education with prospective scholars from the Chicano/Latino community. Super Sunday, as coordinated by the Chancellor’s Office, provides outreach and support to students in the African American Community through the auspices of the local churches. CSU admissions and program support information is disseminated along with key messaging to set students up for success. The Journey to Success Project, another CSU administered effort, supports the goals of access and college degree attainment for Asian Pacific Islander Students. Lastly, the MESA Engineering and Computer Science Program along with the Science Educational Equity Program both provide outreach to prospective students through the promotion of STEM education and preparation.

A variety of scholarships exist for low-income students, with either financial need being a requirement or financial need may be considered but is not required. One scholarship example is the A.C. Nielsen International Bilingual/Multicultural Education Scholarship for students enrolled in the single subjects or multiple subjects Bilingual/Multicultural Education teacher preparation program. Eligibility includes a minimum GPA of 3.0. Selection will be made by the faculty in the Bilingual/Multicultural Education Department. Amount varies from $300-$500 and financial need is required. More information about all scholarships can be found at http://www.csus.edu/coe/scholarships-grants/list/index.html.

Under the leadership of SASEEP, the Parents and Families program provides co-educational opportunities to educate parents and families about higher education through regional events, workshops, college fairs, e-newsletters, and program support mechanisms. CAMP also provides multiple venues for bilingual workshops and seminars to promote higher education. Parent based programs are also convened as a part of University Orientation. Programs are held in English, Spanish, and Hmong.

As one of the primary programs serving low-income and first generation college students, the Educational Opportunity Program accepts some 700 plus students per year for admission. Each year target goals are set and an outreach plan is followed to help recruit students from low-income backgrounds for the program.

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A variety of scholarships exist for non-traditional/part time students. One example is the Wilson Riles Memorial Scholarship. Requirements include: •minimum 3.0 GPA; •limited to students accepted or enrolled in any College of Education credential program; •financial need may be considered but is not required; •must be enrolled with no minimum requirement at time of award A variable scholarship award amount exists for this scholarship. Information about other scholarships available can be found at http://www.csus.edu/coe/scholarships-grants/list/index.html.

The University currently offers a Child Care Center as run through Associated Students Incorporated. Students of the University receive priority enrollment in the child care program to ensure care for their dependents. In addition, the Parents and Families Program recently partnered with the Child Care Center to provide student parents with resources in the community for child care beyond the scope of the college to help ensure care where needed, when the Center has reached capacity and to provide helpful referral services.

The university offers a campus-wide mentorship program called the Sacramento State “U” Mentor Program, which is open to all students on campus to acquire mentoring and as well provides tutoring online 24 hours a day to support the needs of students academically.