| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 51.17 |
| Liaison | Tom Hartzell |
| Submission Date | Feb. 22, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Calvin University
PA-8: Affordability and Access
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.79 / 4.00 |
Michelle
Loyd-Paige Exec. Associate to the President for Diversity and Inclusion President's Office |
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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:
Calvin’s academic scholarships are provided to all students equally based on high school achievements. Calvin’s need-based award program provides need-based grants to low-income students based on the filing of their FAFSA and any other special circumstances they share with us through supplemental information. Through that awarding, a certain level of income and assets is protected. The college also participates in the Title IV program, providing Pell Grant, Campus-based Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and Federal Work Study dollars to lower-income families. Though not every first generation students has low-income, the college recognizes the financial and other challenges these students may face and provides a $2,000 first generation award for those students whose parents did not attend college. Missionary family students often experience lower income. For these families, foreign earned income is not included in the need-based calculation. There are many endowed scholarships which are designated for students with demonstrated financial need. Calvin also partners with the Kalamazoo Promise Foundation to enable students who graduate from Kalamazoo Public High Schools to receive full tuition benefits.
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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:
Calvin’s Multicultural Student Development Office promotes the following programs:
AHANA Fellowship Dinners: social dinners and fellowship for all Calvin students, including AHANA students
Mentors and Mentees: Calvin faculty and staff are encouraged to mentor a student in need; many do.
Affinity Groups: A Calvin student, faculty or staff leads groups of students from different ethnic backgrounds in order to welcome them, support them and empower them
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A brief description of any programs to prepare students from low-income backgrounds for higher education:
Calvin’s Office of Pre-College Programs offers multiple programs aimed to prepare students for higher education:
Striving Toward Educational Possibilities (STEP) is a three day, on campus program in which students visit a college class and explore the necessary steps for college entry and future career directions.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Young Leaders Weekend (MLK) is a three day event featuring workshops, worship and time for reflection.
Aspirando Alto is also a three day, on campus program during which students explore the necessary steps for college entry and future career directions.
The ACT/SAT EXCEL Tutoring Program is a partnership between Calvin and local high school students which provides mentoring and support in preparation for taking the ACT or SAT.
The Entrada Scholars Program is a summer academic achievement program for U.S. racial and ethnic minority students. While living on campus for four weeks, they take a Calvin course along with other Calvin students and earn college credit.
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A brief description of the institution's scholarships for low-income students:
Calvin’s academic scholarships are provided to all students equally based on high school achievements. Calvin’s need-based award program provides need-based grants to low-income students based on the filing of their FAFSA and any other special circumstances they share with us through supplemental information. Through that awarding, a certain level of income and assets is protected. The college also participates in the Title IV program, providing Pell Grant, Campus-based Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and Federal Work Study dollars to lower-income families. Though not every first generation students has low-income, the college recognizes the financial and other challenges these students may face and provides a $2,000 first generation award for those students whose parents did not attend college. Missionary family students often experience lower income. For these families, foreign earned income is not included in the need-based calculation. There are many endowed scholarships which are designated for students with demonstrated financial need. Calvin also partners with the Kalamazoo Promise Foundation to enable students who graduate from Kalamazoo Public High Schools to receive full tuition benefits.
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A brief description of any programs to guide parents of low-income students through the higher education experience:
The admissions and financial aid departments serve students and families daily who request assistance/guidance. The financial aid department also provides a “loan lab” to assist families in understanding loan processes and commitments.
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A brief description of any targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:
Calvin participates in College Greenlight, a web-based organization that connects colleges and universities with community development organizations around the country which support first generation, under-represented students. Chicago Scholars, a provider of college counseling, mentoring, and a supportive community, is another organization with which Calvin works directly. Calvin Admissions Counselors visit many high schools in zip codes areas with lower socio-economic averages and attend a variety of college fairs which attract low-income students.
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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 college provides a sizeable $8,000 academic scholarship for students having achieved a 3.0 HS GPA and a 20 ACT or equivalent SAT score. For those students in need of academic assistance, the college requires or suggests programs for students to improve their academic skills.
Students who have completed the Entrada Scholars Program receive a $4,000 Entrada scholarship and a $4,000 Mosaic Scholarship.
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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:
The admissions and financial aid departments serve students and families daily who request assistance/guidance. The financial aid department also provides a “loan lab” to assist students in understanding loan processes and commitments.
None
A brief description of other policies and programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students not covered above:
N/A
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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:
All academic scholarships and many of the endowed scholarships are available to part-time students on a prorated basis.
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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:
N/A
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A brief description of other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:
Calvin offers a variety of evening classes that are available to all students; the Director of Commuter Student Life also works to integrate non-traditional and commuter 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 | 23 |
| The graduation/success rate for low-income students | 66 |
| The percentage of student financial need met, on average | 52.40 |
| The percentage of students graduating with no interest-bearing student loan debt | 38 |
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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:
61
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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:
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
Pell: approximately 23%;
First Generation: approximately 5-7%
Institutional need-based aid: approximately 61%
The websites where information about the institution’s affordability and access programs is available:
www.calvin.edu/offices-services/financial-aid/
www.calvin.edu/offices-services/pre-college-programs/
www.calvin.edu/about/diversity-inclusion/
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.