| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 74.59 |
| Liaison | Chris Adam |
| Submission Date | Sept. 7, 2020 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Dawson College
PA-7: Affordability and Access
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.92 / 4.00 |
Chris
Adam Coordinator Sustainability Office |
Does the institution have policies and programs to make it accessible and affordable to low-income students?:
A brief description of any policies and programs to minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students:
College is free of charge in Quebec. Only books and a registration fee of $180 is charged to incoming students (reference 2020). Dawson has a financial aid office staffed by a full-time financial aid officer. This position is established to help low-income students with food and lodging costs and/or students finding themselves in unexpected life events that influences their finances. A food bank is also available for students in need. Emergency funding is made to students after an evaluation of their circumstances.
The financial aid web site states specific information about Quebec Loan and Bursaries application assistance, book loans, emergency loans, budgeting tips, a food bank, and snack centre.
Students can also visit the financial aid office to pick up a free copy of A Student’s Guide to Making Ends Meet or a copy of the Debt Free Graduate - http://www.debtfreegrad.com
Workshops and personal guidance sessions are given on financial literacy, money saving tips, budgeting and filing tax returns.
A brief description of any programs to equip the institution’s faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:
All staff are made aware of the College's Student Service financial aid options for students and health-related support as well. Yearly tours and briefing workshops are given to high school guidance counsellors that reviews Dawson's support for all special needs students, including financial aid, loans and nurseries available with support to help navigate these options.
A brief description of the institution’s programs to guide and prepare students and families from low-income backgrounds for higher education:
Two open house days invite parents to discuss options with their children and full time advisors are available to answer questions regarding program and specific course options every day.
A brief description of the institution's scholarships for low-income students:
Dawson has over 120 awards, scholarships and burseries it distributes yearly.
https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/awards-scholarships/
A brief description of the institution’s targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:
A brief description of the institution’s other policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
Because of the provincial mandate to offer college diploma programs free of charge and Dawson's financial aid opportunities for living expenses, low-income students have favorable opportunities for education. Students can also apply for loans and bursaries based on their financial situation. Dawson received 1322 applications for loans & bursaries in the 2019-20 school year with all receiving some type of aid. An average of $2227 went to 1080 students as a loan and $4410 was distributed to 887 students as a bursary. The total number of students receiving is larger than the 1332 applicants because many students receive both a loan and bursary to cover living expenses while at school (see attachment below). Over 6.2 million dollars was allocated to Dawson students in financial need in 2019-20. Loans are interest free as long as the recipients are in school. Graduates have a grace period of six months before starting any repayment of loans.
Does the institution have policies and programs to support non-traditional students?:
A brief description of the institution’s scholarships provided specifically for part-time students:
Financial assistance under the Loans Program for Part-Time Studies program is available on a per-term basis. The loan will cover your education expenses (tuition fees and the cost of books and supplies) and childcare expenses, if applicable.
Dawson's accessibility centre also caters to special needs students and they too are eligible as Dawson Students to all financial support opportunities any student is eligible for.
https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/student-accessibility/
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:
Dawson has an on-site Daycare (Centres de la Petite Infance) with a capacity of 40 children. Government subsidies apply to all Quebec parents and the present cost (2020) is $8.35/day.
A brief description of the institution’s other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:
Journey's Program for First Peoples - this is a separate program for indigenous students to bridge college and high school and support the indigenous students with dedicated staff and study areas.
https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/journeys/
Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 of this credit (tracking accessibility and affordability)? (If data is not available, select '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:
Data from the Montreal's "2018 Poverty Map" report of the Comité de gestion de la taxe scolaire de l’île de Montréal was obtained about low income areas in Montreal and compared to the general known area of residence of students through postal code regions. Although not 100% accurate, it did give general knowledge to base this calculation on and we thought it was applicable. No income-related information is obtained or can be obtained from students as part of an admission process. Statistics Canada document used:
Document link: https://www.cgtsim.qc.ca/images/documents/GUIDE_2018ANW_CARTE_DEFAVO.pdf
Other reference - statistics Canada: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/89-613-m/2004001/4054694-eng.htm
Accessibility centre: https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/student-accessibility/
Data from the Montreal's "2018 Poverty Map" report of the Comité de gestion de la taxe scolaire de l’île de Montréal was obtained about low income areas in Montreal and compared to the general known area of residence of students through postal code regions. Although not 100% accurate, it did give general knowledge to base this calculation on and we thought it was applicable. No income-related information is obtained or can be obtained from students as part of an admission process. Statistics Canada document used:
Document link: https://www.cgtsim.qc.ca/images/documents/GUIDE_2018ANW_CARTE_DEFAVO.pdf
Other reference - statistics Canada: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/89-613-m/2004001/4054694-eng.htm
Accessibility centre: https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/student-accessibility/
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.