Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 72.19
Liaison John Pumilio
Submission Date Aug. 11, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Colgate University
PA-7: Affordability and Access

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 4.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have policies and programs to make it accessible and affordable to low-income students?:
Yes

A brief description of any policies and programs to minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students:

Colgate meets 100% of accepted students' demonstrated need with a combination of grants, part-time employment, and a modest student loan. The Colgate financial aid program covers room and board, and study abroad, which are left out of the state Excelsior Scholarship plan. Through this investment, we support access to quality education for students from all socioeconomic backgrounds.

A recent fundraising campaign generated an additional $141 million exclusively for financial aid. Continuing to raise money for financial aid will, therefore, be absolutely critical to reaching Colgate's goal of becoming need-blind in admissions.


A brief description of any programs to equip the institution’s faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:

Colgate is implementing an integrated advising system that prepares and brings together academic and administrative advisors, along with other mentors and resource people for each student. Orientation of these advisors will include supporting students from all social locations and backgrounds within a disparate educational system, and better coordination of information among a student’s advisors. The advisors will be better equipped to provide targeted and tailored support for students from various backgrounds. The Advising Committee, with support from the Optimization, Analytics, Knowledge (OAK) project, is already working on the implementation of this program. As one example, support for first-generation students is being built into this program (planning and a pilot project already ongoing).


A brief description of the institution’s programs to guide and prepare students and families from low-income backgrounds for higher education:

Some students who come from low-income backgrounds are selected for Colgate’s Office of Undergraduate Studies Summer Institute--a five-week program the summer prior to the first year that features two Colgate classes, introduction to academic support services, and prepares students for leadership and engagement in the Colgate community. More information can be found at http://www.colgate.edu/academics/scholars-programs/office-of-undergraduate-studies/summer-institute


A brief description of the institution's scholarships for low-income students:

Financial aid at Colgate University is awarded based on financial need; the university does not offer academic merit aid. Information on average aid awards by income is available in our print and online version of “Financing your education: advice, insight, and resources” that can be found on our website at http://www.colgate.edu/admission-financial-aid/admission-publications


A brief description of the institution’s targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:

In addition to visiting high schools in rural and urban areas with large populations of low-income students, the Colgate admission staff works closely with a network of community-based organizations whose missions are to prepare and guide underrepresented students through the process of applying to college and being successful once there.

We work with multiple vendors to find high-achieving high school students from a range of backgrounds. Our outreach to these students and their parents uses both electronic and print communication to share a range of information from the broad (introductory information about Colgate, the liberal arts, financial aid) to the specific (academic programs, pre-professional opportunities, multicultural life, special interests).


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

Students are automatically considered for all sources of financial aid, including federal, state, and institutional grants, loans, and employment. The composition of an aid award depends on several factors, including the extent of a student's financial need, eligibility for other aid resources, the availability of funds, and the date of application.

Colgate's financial aid award usually consists of grants, a modest student loan, and on-campus employment. Grant funds generally representing the largest portion of the financial aid award. Aid packages usually include a modest Federal Direct Loan, with most Colgate students borrowing considerably less than their peers nationwide. Many students also receive a work-study grant. The amount can generally be earned by working between ten and twelve hours a week, which leaves plenty of time for academics and activities.

Students who don't receive aid during their first year at Colgate but who become eligible for assistance in a subsequent year generally receive loans and a job first, then grant to meet the remaining need, if any.


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

A brief description of the institution’s scholarships provided specifically for part-time students:

Colgate does not offer any scholarships specifically for part-time students.


A brief description of the institution’s on-site child care facility, partnership with a local facility, and/or subsidies or financial support to help meet the child care needs of students:

Colgate does not provide or subsidize any childcare services for students.


A brief description of the institution’s other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:

The Office of Undergraduate Studies provides support to students who face non-traditional experiences with university studies, including first-generation students. Students who are accepted to OUS have achieved success while systematically pursuing the most demanding academic paths open to them. They have prevailed in the face of personal, economic, educational, cultural, or social challenges. Admission to OUS is determined at the time of admission to Colgate, and no separate application is necessary. Admission to OUS includes a four-year program of study that includes access to living-learning communities, academic research and study abroad programs, and additional career services support.

Colgate participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, a component of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, for military veterans. Under this program, veterans or dependents of veterans may receive financial assistance to pay for private university tuition through a partnership between Colgate and the VA.


Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 of this credit (tracking accessibility and affordability)? (If data is not available, select 'No'):
No

The percentage of entering students that are low-income (0-100):
---

The graduation/success rate for low-income students (0-100):
---

On average, the percentage of need that was met for students who were awarded any need-based aid (e.g. as reported to the U.S. Common Data Set initiative, item H2) (0-100):
---

The percentage of students graduating with no interest-bearing student loan debt or for whom no out-of-pocket tuition is required (i.e. the percentage of graduates who have not taken out interest-bearing loans) (0-100):
---

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 (0-100):
---

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

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.