Colorado State University
PAE-10: Affordability and Access Programs

CSU participates in three federally-funded TRIO programs; Educational Talent Search, Upward Bound, and the Educational Opportunity Center all of which are administered from CSU's Access Center in the Division of Enrollment and Access. Educational Talent Search is an early intervention program that provides services and disseminates information to young people in grades six through twelve about educational opportunities and options. Participants receive information about college and career aspirations, academic preparation, college admissions requirements, scholarships and various student financial aid resources. Upward Bound addresses the academic needs of first-generation, low-income students striving to prepare for higher education. Participants receive instruction in literature, composition, mathematics, and science at Colorado State University, after school, on Saturdays and during the summer. The program also assists students with the college preparation process. The Educational Opportunity Center primarily serves adults aged 19 and older in helping them enroll in secondary educational programs or programs of post secondary education. EOC serves participants that are first-generation and meet federal income guidelines. http://accesscenter.colostate.edu/pdf/Trio%2008-09.pdf

As part of its land grant mission, Colorado State University ensures that financial challenges do not prevent any undergraduate Colorado student who is admitted to the university from attending. CSU's Commitment to Colorado is a promise to provide Colorado students who have a family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $57,000 or less (and who meet other eligibility requirements) with grant funds from state and university sources to cover at least one-half the cost of student share of base tuition. In addition, students who are eligible for federal Pell Grant will receive grant funds from federal, state, and University sources to cover at least 100% of student share of base tuition and standard fees.

The Institute for Professional Development offers seminars to all CSU staff/faculty on diversity training oriented towards students and parents. Seminars in 2013 included; "Promoting Academic Success for First-Generation and Lower-Income Students at CSU," "Student Parent Barriers to Academic Success," "Tips & Strategies for Working with the Parents & Families of Today's Students," "Promoting Academic Success for First-Generation and Lower-Income Students at CSU," First generation grads who work with first generation students. Also first ten faculty members: first gen faculty initiative. Because of these we were named one of the top universities for first gen students by The Best Colleges (w/cornell, yale,)

The Access Center strives to develop the talents of those who have been traditionally underrepresented in higher education (first generation, low income, ethnically or racially diverse, and non-traditional age) during their pre-college years by: Nurturing college bound aspirations, Increasing academic skills and motivation, Reaching out to Colorado’s historically under served secondary students, Facilitating the college application, enrollment and student aid process, Assisting in the transition to college, and Supporting retention efforts. The Access center oversees several initiatives which facilitate these goals. More information on programs such as Upward Bound, Talent Search, Reach Out, Dream, and the Alliance Program, see the Acces Center online: http://accesscenter.colostate.edu/dream/index.aspx

The Alliance Partnership through the Access Center includes Alliance Awards (scholarships of $10,000) for all students matriculating at CSU from Alliance Partnership schools. The First Generation Awards ($16,000) are for students whose parents have not received bachelor's degrees and demonstrate financial need. Partnership Awards: Alliance Partnership Alliance Transfer Award Black Issues Forum Daniels Fund Denver Scholarship Foundation Educational Opportunity Center Partnership Award First Generation Award Lorenzo de Zavala Native American Legacy Award Scholarship Athletes STARS Partnership Talent Search Upward Bound

Programs through the Access Center (including Upward Bound, Talent Search, Reach Out, Dream, and the Alliance Program) all provide resources for parents, in addition to the support offered to students. Student Financial Services also assists parents with financial aid, loans, scholarships, insurance, extenuating circumstances, and other concerns. http://sfs.colostate.edu/parents/

All of the programs from the Access Center which prepare students from low-income backgrounds for higher education, also aim to recruit students from low-income backgrounds. In particular, the Dream Project seeks to attract students who not traditionally be encouraged or expected to go to college. http://accesscenter.colostate.edu/dream/index.aspx LDZ and black issues forum and native american education forum