Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 65.95
Liaison Susan Powers
Submission Date Feb. 12, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Clarkson University
PA-8: Affordability and Access

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.02 / 4.00 Susan Powers
Director of the Institute for a Sustainable Environment
ISE
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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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:
Scholarships for low income students : NSF S-STEM program - Aspire, general funds and scholarships through financial aid office - some of which are need based. The Clarkson University New York State Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), is funded jointly by the University and a HEOP grant through the New York State Education Department.  Clarkson HEOP offers college access and a comprehensive academic support system to assist in student academic success.  Programming provides a broad range of services to students who, because of academic and economic circumstances, would otherwise be unable to attend a postsecondary educational institution. Clarkson HEOP students have access to a significant student-centered support system, including the Summer PRE-freshman Experience (SPREE), and academic-year guidance and support.

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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:
No

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A brief description of any programs to prepare students from low-income backgrounds for higher education:
Horizons is intended to help young women embrace the excitement of mathematics and to better understand its everyday use. The Horizons curriculum uses an integrated instructional module for mathematics, science and engineering concepts and supports these through fun and challenging hands-on projects. The life skills component further enhances the instruction as participants build confidence, personal insight, leadership and team spirit in an emotionally scaffolded learning environment. At Horizons, participants are taught by a predominantly female staff composed of teachers and other professionals. Our young guests are also accompanied and mentored by program assistants who are usually undergraduate college females who excel in relevant disciplines. Group sizes are small so each participant has the opportunity to form a lasting relationship with staff and peers.

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A brief description of the institution's scholarships for low-income students:
NSF S-STEM program - Aspire, general funds and scholarships through financial aid office - some of which are need based. Federal grants: PELL ,SEOG, NYS-TAP-ASPIRE

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A brief description of any programs to guide parents of low-income students through the higher education experience:
The HEOP and CUPO offices are geared toward guiding not onlythe low-income students themselves, but are also available for guidance to the parents of the student as well.

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A brief description of any targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:
Partnership between CTEP and STEP to help students in HS program transition into collegiate TEP programs; one of admissions recruiters works specifically for HEOP candidates

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A brief description of other admissions policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
Clarkson University teamed up with ASA to give our students free access to SALT’s services — which help them take charge of their money during college and beyond. SALT is a membership program created by nonprofit organization American Student Assistance (ASA). SALT includes scholarship searches and financial literacy. New students are invited to enroll early during the fall term at www.saltmoney.org/clarkson

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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:
Clarkson has developed a comprehensive financial aid guide (which gets updated on an annual basis) to ake financial aid options accessible to all students (including low-income). More information is available at http://www.clarkson.edu/sas/financial/documents/1617financingbrochure.pdf

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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:
Collegiate Science & Technology Entry Program (CSTEP): Increases the number of historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students pursuing careers in STEM or licensed professions. Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair Scholars): Increases the number of historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students entering graduate school and obtaining their PhD. Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation Program (LSAMP): Increases the number of students completing STEM baccalaureate degree programs and increases the number of students matriculating into graduate programs.

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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:
Partnership with the Veteran's Affairs office through the Yellow Ribbon program particularly targets veterans returning from service. Part-time graduate students are considered for partial tuition waivers (10-30%)

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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:
None

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A brief description of other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:
Yes, the Yellow Ribbon Program allows institutions of higher learning in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the Veterans Administration to fund tuition and fees expenses. Clarkson’s Yellow Ribbon will match the VA Yellow Ribbon amount. Clarkson University also welcomes international students & scholars from all over the world. The International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO) was created to inform and educate the international population as well as the University community of immigration regulations that govern international students, scholars and the University. Clarkson enables international students and scholars can learn more about practical training, visas, status requirements, work regulations, and other information needed for living in the United States.

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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 27.10
The graduation/success rate for low-income students 69.40
The percentage of student financial need met, on average 90
The percentage of students graduating with no interest-bearing student loan debt 15

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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:
5

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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:
Data for FY15.

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.