| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 67.33 |
| Liaison | Scott Doyle |
| Submission Date | Nov. 25, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Ithaca College
PA-7: Affordability and Access
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.07 / 4.00 |
Greg
Lischke Director EM&S OEMS |
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:
The institution accepts students on a need-blind basis, and then works extensively with the accepted student family to craft an affordable financial aid package, factoring in any and all applicable scholarships/grants, loan programs, and work study options.
A brief description of any programs to equip the institution’s faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:
The Center for Academic Advancement provides faculty and staff with training and tools to monitor student performance and mechanisms to report students at risk.
The Early Alert program in particular provides useful tips to faculty and staff for signs of student distress. When detected, faculty are encouraged to notify the Center via a form on the following link: https://www.ithaca.edu/advising/earlyalert/
A brief description of the institution’s programs to guide and prepare students and families from low-income backgrounds for higher education:
The Center for Academic Advancement is comprised of three offices (The Academic Advising Center, Student Accessibility Services, and Tutoring Services) which provides academic support for all Ithaca College students, regardless of year.
Academic Advising Center (AAC):
Opened in 2013, the AAC is comprised of professional academic advisors who partner with faculty and staff across campus to help students engage in thoughtful educational planning and goal setting. The AAC also provides workshops on registration, time management, study skills, and test-taking strategies. The AAC collaborates across campus to identify and provide resources to meet the academic needs of Ithaca College students.
Student Accessibility Services (SAS):
In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, SAS works in partnership with students, faculty, and staff to develop and implement accommodations that provide qualified students with equal access to academic programs. SAS ensures that all students with disabilities are able to participate in the programs and activities for which they are otherwise qualified.
Tutoring Services:
Tutoring Services promotes academic excellence and student success through the use of peer tutoring. Along with use of faculty office hours, students use peer tutoring to enhance critical thinking about challenging course material. Tutoring Services works alongside other tutoring programs on campus, such as the Beta Alpha Psi Tutoring Club, The Mathematics Department (ithaca.edu/hs/depts/math/studentinfo), Modern Languages and Literatures Cooperative Language Lab (ithaca.edu/hs/depts/mll/lcec/), and The Writing Center (ithaca.edu/hs/depts/writing/writingcenter/).
A brief description of the institution's scholarships for low-income students:
On average, 85 percent of incoming Ithaca College students receive financial aid, totaling over $108 million in scholarships, grants, jobs, loans, and private aid. All applicants are considered for merit-based scholarships of up to $16,000 per year.
Up to 60 students receive Ithaca Leadership Scholarships of $7,000. The Ithaca College Leadership Scholarship recognizes a demonstrated record of leadership and academic performance. This renewable $7,000 award is offered each year to Leadership Scholars who maintain a 2.75 cumulative GPA and participate in all required elements of the Leadership Scholars program.
Martin Luther King Jr. Scholar Program is open to academically talented students from ethnic and racial backgrounds that have been historically underrepresented in American higher education. Each MLK scholar receives up to full tuition in aid, with a minimum merit-based scholarship of $25,000.
The Ithaca Access Grant is awarded on the basis of financial need.
The W. G. Egbert Founder’s grant provides limited amounts of grant assistance to select students on the basis of high financial need as determined by the College.
The Ithaca Opportunity Grant is awarded to economically disadvantaged students who are members of underrepresented groups.
The Ithaca/NYS Higher Educational Opportunity Program (HEOP) grant is made to students who have been admitted to the College under the New York State Higher Education Opportunity Program. HEOP students are also eligible to receive a NYS HEOP Grant, based upon New York State guidelines. HEOP grants are based on financial need.
These programs are detailed in this guide to financial aid for incoming students: https://www.ithaca.edu/tuition-financial-aid
A brief description of the institution’s targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:
In the recruitment of students, the Office of Admission engages in a full range of targeted outreach. These efforts are directed toward developing the inquiry pool and converting inquiries to applicants in order to bring to campus a class of desired quality, size, and diversity. Attention is given to our website, mailings, and other communications that focus on students from diverse racial, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, and geographic regions. The Office of Admission with support of other campus colleagues has developed a comprehensive student recruitment strategy, along with campus and off-campus programs which include but are not limited to:
• Admission staff engage in recruitment travel across the United States and internationally (15 nations). Recruitment travel targets high schools based on ALANA student and socio-economic representation and also includes attendance at specialized college fairs and visits to agencies working with traditionally underrepresented students in US higher education. Attendance at schools and programs with a focus on recruitment for the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP).
• Personal appointments with Admission staff, faculty, and coaches
• Admission information sessions and campus tours
• 8 major campus programs for students and their families including:
+ 4 fall and 1 spring open house programs for prospective students
+ 3 spring programs for accepted students -
1) An Inside Look (a program for admitted historically underrepresented students in US higher education)
2) Martin Luther King Scholar Program Recruitment Weekend (a scholar program for admitted historically underrepresented students in US higher education)
3) Ithaca Today
• Counselor programs designed for area secondary school and transfer counselors
• High school, transfer group, and agency group visits
• Access to College Education (ACE) Program
• Telemarketing to prospective and admitted students
• Academic and scholarship programs including the following: Park Scholars Program, Leadership Scholars Program, National Merit Scholarship Program, Martin Luther King (MLK) Scholar Program, Ithaca Achievers Program, Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP)
• National annual mailings specifically for African, Latino, Asian, and Native American (ALANA) students
• ALANA merit based awards are extended to qualified students
• The Ithaca Opportunity Grant funding is extended to qualified students
A brief description of the institution’s other policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
All Ithaca College prospective and admitted students have access to online connectivity tools, such as MyIthaca, which connects students to one another for mentoring and guidance, and Fuse, a student-written magazine which helps answer students' questions and provide interesting insights into the campus and local community and the student experience. In addition, all admitted students are considered for merit-based awards that are disbursed at the time of admission.
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:
We do not offer scholarships specifically for part-time students, though they are eligible to apply for financial assistance through a number of scholarships, grants, and other finaicial aid packages. Please reference this link for additional details - https://www.ithaca.edu/finaid/aid/aidtypes/
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:
There are no on-site child care facilities, partnerships with local facilities, or subsidies to help meet the child care needs of students at this time. A future Family Care Center is being considered as part of the strategic plan.
A brief description of the institution’s other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:
Applications from non-traditional students are encouraged from transfers, veterans, and part-time students. The Office for New Student Programs offers a special transfer transition program and the Veterans’ Services unit assists veterans, reservists, and dependents of disabled or deceased veterans applying for and receiving education benefits. All students are extended support through the Academic Advisement Center, the Office for Student Engagement and Multicultural Affairs, the Office of Career Services, the Center for Counseling, Health and Wellness, and Religious Communities.
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:
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.