Indiana State University
PAE-10: Affordability and Access Programs

We have participated in the TRIO programs for many years with Upward Bound, McNair and Upward Bound Math & Science programs on campus. We had McNair scholars on campus from 2000 through 2012, but we were not able to produce any PhD students from our first round of funding from 2001-2006 and lost eligibility for that program. Our McNair program was inclusive of underrepresented groups, but we focused on First Generation College Students. We lost the McNair program from campus in September of 2012.

Indiana State University has embraced our mission as a public institution and has striven in various recruitment and retention activities to matriculate low income, and first generation, students. Current data for the 2013-14 academic year indicates that 35% of total student enrolled have an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) of “0” reported on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In addition, approximately 53% of students enrolled as first time, full time new undergraduates at the institution indicate that they are first generation college students. The university has had a long standing relationship and served as regional site for Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math & Science and the McNair program. Each of these programs were cut during recent federal cutbacks and are not based on our campus during this academic year. Continued support is available through federal programs and affiliations, but the these particular programs have only recently been changed. The State of Indiana has provided access and support for low income students through the 21st Century Scholars Program. Our current administration is very concerned about the cost of higher education and has many programs in place and committees researching how to reduce cost to the students. One committee has published an affordability report about the cost of textbooks on campus and the president has made it clear that we need to do a better job informing the book store about our textbook choices very early so that the book store can buy back books at a higher return to the students. ISU is working hard to bring the cost per degree down, including a four year graduation guarantee for students that choose a major early and follow advising recommendations. We have a 21st Centuries Scholars program which focuses on high performing low-income students and making college affordable for them. This program has been a strong success on campus and many of those students are our top performers in the sciences.

We have recently formed the University College which is a first year program with centralized advising for students. The University College is very proactive in sharing the best practices for instructors of all students and specifically our students that are 60% first generation students and often from low-income backgrounds. ISU has long been the school of choice for low-income students and our administration works hard to serve those students well and prepare faculty to work with a range of student backgrounds.

We have recently formed the University College which is a first year program with centralized advising for students. This college includes extensive advising for all students even using intrusive advising to try to reach students that are struggling in their first years.

We have a 21st Centuries Scholars program which focuses on high performing low-income students and making college affordable for them. This program has been a strong success on campus and many of those students are our top performers in the sciences. In addition, scholarship awards, which also incorporate merit, are awarded to these identified students to further support their financial needs in addition to the monies made available through the 21st Century Scholars program. Additional information about specific scholarships can be found at: http://www.indstate.edu/scholarships/freshman/twenty-first-excellence.htm http://www.indstate.edu/scholarships/freshman/twenty-first-housing.htm http://www.indstate.edu/scholarships/freshman/

The Office of New Student Transition Programs plans an extensive Parent and Family program in conjunction with New Student Orientation. Specific seminars and presentations are developed to introduce parents and families to the expectations (academic, financial and social) of all enrolled students. These efforts are further supported, and complemented, by the outreach and communication provide by the Indiana State Parent Program http://www.indstate.edu/parents// Specific linkages and information related to academic support, financial resources and personal safety are further discussed via these outreach efforts. The University College, Welcome Center, and Career Center all provide resources to the students and also help to educate parents about the needs of college and what it means to obtain a college education. These programs explicitly include opportunities for parents to learn about the process and demands of college life at ISU.

The University does take intentional steps to recruit low income students. Application fee waivers for identified 21st Century Scholars and other identified student populations allow for accessible application for admission. Strategic recruitment efforts involve participation in the annual College Go Week! Program. This state-wide sponsored initiative is designed to encourage awareness, access and opportunity for underrepresented students to consider and learn about higher education. Indiana State University has extended this traditional one week program to four weeks (the month of September annually) in an effort to welcome and promote higher education access to low income students.