Delta College
PAE-10: Affordability and Access Programs

Delta College participates in Title III Grants Program which helps to expand the capacity to serve low-income students by providing funds to improve and strengthen the academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability of eligible institutions.

The Financial Aid Office conducts weekly FAFSA workshops in computer labs from February thru May. These workshops provide assistance and education to students and parents with the completion and electronic submittal of the FAFSA form.

Over 40 financial aid nights a year are presented at area high schools, businesses and organizations. Presentations include information on financial aid programs, the financial aid process, FAFSA preparation, and other information that is helpful to students and parents. The nights are targeted at helping students realize that college is affordable and that financial help is available.

Assistance is provided to students and their families through the process of Federal Stafford loans, administering the interest-free tuition payment plan and authorizing the use of financial aid in the bookstore. Federal Work Study, a self-help program to assist with college expenses, provides part-time job opportunities on campus and at some off-campus non-profit organizations. Work-study students receive bi-weekly paychecks, and use the earnings to pay their educational costs such as living expenses, transportation, books, etc.

• The Passport to Success is a joint effort between the Counseling, Financial Aid and Retention offices to assist students with re-entry into college life. Participants receive skills testing, academic and financial aid counseling, and an orientation to campus services. Students targeted by this program last attended Delta College three or more years ago and, due to past academic struggles, have fallen short of Standards of Academic Progress requirements. Many of those assisted are low-income.

• Achieving the Dream is a national initiative seeking to increase student success at community colleges. Delta College joined the network charging us with identifying new strategies to improve student success, close achievement gaps and increase retention, persistence, and completion rates. The program focuses on creating a “culture of evidence” in which data collection and analysis drive efforts to identify problems that prevent students from succeeding—particularly low-income students and students of color—and develop programs to help them stay in school and receive a degree or certificate.

• MyAlert is a referral program that strives to identify, provide guidance, assistant and support to students who are academically at-risk and/or struggling with college processes/procedures. The program provides support to students who would benefit from additional support services and refers students who may require intervention for personal issues.

• Campus Services Orientation Video: A Tour to Help Students Succeed available for instructors to present/discuss in class.

• An internet-delivered course, ED 396: Facilitating Developmental Learning, offered for faculty/staff to foster comprehensive professional development for educators supporting and teaching developmental students.

• Possible Dream Program: In 1991, the Delta College Foundation established the Possible Dream Program. It was developed to encourage students to stay in school and realize that a college education is a possibility. That year the program began with 45 students and has since expanded to 410 students currently in the program. About 60 new students from Midland, Bay, and Saginaw counties enter the program each year.

• Local, State, & National Scholarships
Numerous scholarships sponsored by local, state and national companies and organizations are available. Scholarship opportunities for residents of Bay, Saginaw and Midland counties are also available through the following local organizations: Bay Area Community Foundation, Saginaw Community Foundation, Midland Area Community Foundation

• Possible Dream Program: The Possible Dream represents an introduction of students to the possibility of attending college through enrichment and multi-cultural educational activities. By introducing the program to students in 8th grade and continuing to offer them educational opportunities through 12th grade, we hope they will complete high school and see college as an achievable goal. Students and their families receive a bi-monthly newsletter, Dream Catcher which includes news of upcoming program events, student contributions, information about program procedures and policies, birthdays, Student of the Month, and notes from the program director.

• Financial Aid Office: Delta College has been a host site of Michigan College Goal Sundays, established in 2004, for the Saginaw/Bay/Midland and outlying areas. College Goal Sunday is an annual, collaborative effort between the Michigan Guaranty Agency, the Michigan Student Financial Aid Association and EduGuide. The program is designed to increase the number of Michigan students who continue education beyond high school and earn post-secondary degrees. Financial Aid professionals from five area colleges provide assistance filling out the FAFSA form and answering questions about financial aid for students and their parents.

The Financial Aid Office also conducts weekly FAFSA workshops in computer labs from February thru May. These workshops provide assistance and education to students and parents with the completion and electronic submittal of the FAFSA form.

The Delta College Financial Aid Office presents over 40 financial aid nights a year at area high schools, businesses and organizations. Presentations include information on financial aid programs, the financial aid process, FAFSA preparation, and other information that is helpful to students and parents. The nights are targeted at helping students realize that college is affordable and that financial help is available.

• Possible Dream Program: Provides an introduction of students to the possibility of attending college through enrichment and multi-cultural educational activities. By introducing the program to students in 8th grade and continuing to offer them educational opportunities through 12th grade, we hope they will complete high school and see college as an achievable goal.

• Moving up Innovations grant project: identifies high school seniors who tested close to COMPASS cut-off scores, places them in free workshops, and provides targeted help in areas where they are weak in ENG or MTH. At completion of workshop, students are retested to see if they can move up.

• Taste of College Innovations grant project: targets at-risk students (grades 9-12) who might never consider college as an option. Students come to campus for a day of mini-classes, lunch, campus tour, etc. Each student is matched up with a Delta student mentor, and receives admissions, counseling, financial aid, and special services info.

• Possible Dream Program: Provides an introduction of students to the possibility of attending college through enrichment and multi-cultural educational activities. By introducing the program to students in 8th grade and continuing to offer them educational opportunities through 12th grade, we hope they will complete high school and see college as an achievable goal.

• Moving up Innovations grant project: identifies high school seniors who tested close to COMPASS cut-off scores, places them in free workshops, and provides targeted help in areas where they are weak in ENG or MTH. At completion of workshop, students are retested to see if they can move up.

• Taste of College Innovations grant project: targets at-risk students (grades 9-12) who might never consider college as an option. Students come to campus for a day of mini-classes, lunch, campus tour, etc. Each student is matched up with a Delta student mentor, and receives admissions, counseling, financial aid, and special services info.

The Admissions Office is the student’s first stop at Delta College. Students are provided assistance with the application and enrollment process, student number issuance, and other Delta materials. Admissions staff are able to answer all of the student’s questions or direct them to the Delta staff member who has the answer. Programs to ensure students are success in the application and enrollment process include programs such as Steps to Success; Veteran’s Services; Counseling, Advising and Career Services; Testing Center; and Return to Learn.

In 2009-2010, about 60 percent of all Delta students received some type of financial aid.

• Federal student aid - $31,250,890 total to all Delta College students
• Federal Stafford loans – about 2,884 students received $11,014,102 in loan funds. State aid in a variety of forms - $1,143,014 total to all Delta students
• 715 Delta students were awarded $1,039,236 in scholarships. Those scholarships include Delta endowed and institutional scholarships and community funds.

The Bridge Program offers academic guidance and support for non-prepared students. Helps at-risk students select courses that best fit their skill levels and access services to aid in their success.