Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 49.09
Liaison Lissette Hernandez
Submission Date Aug. 22, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Florida International University
PA-7: Affordability and Access

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.69 / 4.00 Alexandra Dutton
Program Manager
Office of University Sustainability
"---" 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:

The programs Florida International University has to minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students are:

First Generation Scholarship
Fostering Panther Pride
Golden Scholars Program
Educational Talent Search
Education Effect
Upward Bound


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

FIU has several TRIO grants from the US Dept of Education that provide pre-collegiate services to low-income students. These programs are the Educational Talent Search, Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math/Science. In addition, the University has several state programs and privately funded programs designed to prepare low-income students for higher education. These programs are 21st Century, College Reach Out Program (CROP), and the Education Effect.


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

The First Generation Scholarship Fund supports FIU students who are the first generation in their families to receive a college degree. This program is the only one of its kind in the State of Florida to match private donations for first generation scholarships 100 percent, providing financial assistance for students to attend a state university or Florida college. At the heart of this innovative scholarship program are the dreams of first generation students who aspire to reap the benefits of an FIU degree.


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

The First Generation Scholarship Fund supports FIU students who are the first generation in their families to receive a college degree. This program is the only one of its kind in the State of Florida to match private donations for first generation scholarships 100 percent, providing financial assistance for students to attend a state university or Florida college. At the heart of this innovative scholarship program are the dreams of first generation students who aspire to reap the benefits of an FIU degree.

To date, FIU has awarded more than $5.5 million in critical financial support to nearly 7,640 FIU students. In 2012 FIU received more than $1.4 million for the fund and surpassed the state match challenge for the second year in a row. Our request for matching funds is the second highest from all state universities in Florida and the largest in FIU history. http://firstgen.fiu.edu/general-description/


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

Fostering Panther Pride (FPP) program offers tailored academic and other support services to undergraduate students identified as former foster youth or homeless. Launched in 2013, the primary goal of FPP is to assist former foster youth and homeless students in their transition to FIU, their retention and graduation, and their pursuit of securing employment or graduate school upon receiving their Bachelor’s degree.


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:
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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:

The Children’s Creative Learning Center (CCLC) at FIU is a State Educational Research Center for Child Development and a SACS Nationally Accredited Program. The Center is a self supported university auxiliary and a department within Student Affairs. In addition, the Children’s Center often serves as a demonstration site for departments of the university and programs in the community, e.g.: observation, presentations, special programs, training and research.


A brief description of the institution’s other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:
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Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 of this credit (tracking accessibility and affordability)? (If data is not available, select 'No'):
Yes

The percentage of entering students that are low-income (0-100):
48

The graduation/success rate for low-income students (0-100):
48

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):
23

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):
50

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