Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 65.09
Liaison Joseph Kahn
Submission Date Oct. 15, 2020

STARS v2.2

Central Michigan University
PA-8: Affordability and Access

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.57 / 4.00 Heather Dix
Research Assistant
Academic Planning and Analysis
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Percentage of need met, on average, for students who were awarded any need-based aid :
78

Percentage of students graduating without student loan debt:
27

Percentage of entering students that are low-income:
36

Graduation/success rate for low-income students:
52.60

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

Central Michigan University offers a payment plan for all students, designed to ease the burden of lump sum payments. While this specific program does not decrease the cost of attendance, it does allow students to spread payment out over the semester without adding interest.

Advantages:
Easy online enrollment
Monthly Payments
Flexible Payment Options
No Interest

Central Michigan University also recognizes the need to adjust financial aide benefits for students and families in circumstances, such as:

Withdrawal of retirement funds for emergency purposes
Job loss or significant reduction in income
Loss of child support
Separation or divorce of parents
Death of a parent

CMU works with individuals in these situations in order to get them the financial support they need to obtain a degree.

The Pathways program is designed to inc​​rease the retention and graduation rates of first generation and Pell grant eligible students. First generation students are those whose parents have not attained higher than an associates degree. Pell grant eligibility is determined by the student’s expected family contribution (EFC) on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Pathways targets these students then connects them to services and resources with the goal of helping them achieve:
*Increased grade point averages
*Advancement in their academic standing
*Increased acceptance into majors
*Increased graduation rates

How does Pathways serve its students?

Before prospective Pathways students take one class at CMU Pathways staff have mailed them an invitation to its annual Pre-College conference. The recruiting doesn’t stop there as Pathways staff continue to contact and connect with potential Pathways students reminding them to schedule summer orientation dates before they come to CMU in the fall. During these freshmen orientation programs, Pathways presents CMU’s many support services to parents and students including the Pathways program. In addition to making families aware of the assistance available on campus, Pathways staff sits down with incoming students and advises them on their class schedules and encourages them to sign up for Leadership Safari. During Leadership Safari, Pathways host new CMU students who have shown serious interest in the program. During this session students acquaint themselves with peers, Pathways mentors, current Pathways students, and staff. Through this program new students learn the expectations and benefits of Pathways. During the academic year Pathways students meet individually and in small groups with Pathways staff and mentors.

Pathways students have the luxury of having an advisor readily available to help guide them to their academic and personal goals through comprehensive advising and connecting them to campus resources. Pathways also offers workshops and interactive sessions addressing issues relevant to the success of first generation and Pell grant eligible students. ​

Pathways to Academic Student Success (Pathways) is a retention program at Central Michigan University. The program is funded by a six-year Select Student Support Services (4S) grant which is administered via Michigan’s Work Force Development Agency and the Kings-Chavez-Parks initiative.


A brief description of notable policies or programs to support non-traditional students:

AAD 104 is a 16-week, two credit course, that teaches college strategies for non-traditional students. Additionally, there are training courses and mentors which ensure that nontraditional students have all resources necessary to succeed.


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:
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Website URL where information about the institution’s accessibility and affordability initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

According to the 2018-2019 Common Data set, there were 81% need met for first-time full-time freshmen; 78% of need met for full-time undergraduate students (including freshmen); and 54% of need met for part-time undergraduate students.


According to the 2018-2019 Common Data set, there were 81% need met for first-time full-time freshmen; 78% of need met for full-time undergraduate students (including freshmen); and 54% of need met for part-time undergraduate students.

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.