| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 47.61 |
| Liaison | Tracy Edwards |
| Submission Date | June 12, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Frostburg State University
PA-8: Affordability and Access
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.89 / 4.00 |
Angela
Hovatter Director/Stud. Financial Aid Financial Aid |
Does the institution have policies and programs in place 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:
The Financial Aid Office receives an allotment of institutional funding to award annually. Once the dollar amount committed to financial aid is confirmed, committed dollars are subtracted to see what new monies are available.
Among the committed dollars is $130,000 for Student Support Services students. These students are first generation, low income students who need the additional financial assistance. The next commitment is the Academic Need Scholarship. Based on retention rates and previous expenditures, an amount of funding is committed to high achieving low income students. The next funding commitment is for the FSU Grant. Again, based on retention rates and expenditures from the previous year, an amount of FSU Grant money is committed to currently enrolled low income students for the upcoming year. Low income students are designated by the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Once all the committed funds have been totaled, the remaining institutional funds are used to fund new low income students with Academic Need Scholarships and FSU Grants.
A brief description of any programs to equip the institution’s faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:
Federal and state funding provides support to students, staff, and faculty. The University created the "Academic Success Network" to provide complete and seamless services to students through Programs for Student Success, Student Special Services, Disability Support Services, and the Center for Academic Advising and Retention.
A brief description of any programs to prepare students from low-income backgrounds for higher education:
These programs are housed in the Center for Academic Advising and Retention, but utilize other offices for students with special needs.
A brief description of the institution's scholarships for low-income students:
The University offers both need-based and academic accomplishment scholarships for students. The University works with federal and state programs for low income students.
A brief description of any programs to guide parents of low-income students through the higher education experience:
The University offers workshops and information sessions and well as individual appointments to assist parents.
A brief description of any targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:
While Maryland is generally a wealthy state, pockets of urban and rural poverty exist, and the university recruits students from such areas. Most notable are efforts to recruit from the City of Baltimore, Prince Georges County, and Appalachian Maryland.
A brief description of other admissions policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
Tuition at Frostburg State University is lower than all but one other institution in the University System of Maryland.
A brief description of other financial aid policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
Financial Aid information and application procedures are available on the University's website and in print materials. Financial Aid staff meet with students and parents as needed.
A brief description of other policies and programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students not covered above:
Does the institution have policies and programs in place to support non-traditional students?:
A brief description of any scholarships provided specifically for part-time students:
A brief description of any onsite child care facilities, partnerships with local facilities, and/or subsidies or financial support to help meet the child care needs of students:
Unfortunately, the University closed its on-campus child care center. However, the University does make information of local child care available to students and staff.
A brief description of other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:
many courses are offered in the evening or online.
Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 of this credit (accessibility and affordability indicators)?:
Indicators that the institution is accessible and affordable to low-income students::
| Percentage (0-100) | |
| The percentage of entering students that are low-income | 39 |
| The graduation/success rate for low-income students | 50 |
| The percentage of student financial need met, on average | 58 |
| The percentage of students graduating with no interest-bearing student loan debt | 42 |
The percentage of students that participate in or directly benefit from the institution’s policies and programs to support low-income and non-traditional students:
The website URL where information about the institution's affordability and access programs is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Additional information at http://www.collegeportraits.org/MD/FSU/costs
Additional information at http://www.collegeportraits.org/MD/FSU/costs
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.