Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 58.80
Liaison Pamela Dumm
Submission Date Jan. 31, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.2

Jefferson Community and Technical College
PAE-10: Affordability and Access Programs

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Laura Smith
Dean of Student Affairs
Student Affairs
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have policies and programs in place to make it accessible and affordable to low-income students?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s participation in federal TRIO programs:

Jefferson has a Student Support Services program which has been operating for over 20 years. The program serves 200 students per year and offers advising, tutoring, incentive and recognition programs for academic success, cultural and social events, as well as services to support students intending to transfer to a university.


A brief description of the institution’s policies and programs to minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students?:

Jefferson does not charge students an activity fee which is common at most colleges and universities. Jefferson also does not charge students for parking, student ID cards, or to participate in new student orientation. The College Bookstore has included rental options for textbooks to help students reduce costs.


A brief description of the institution’s programs to equip the institution's faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:

The college has undertaken a comprehensive professional development program to educate faculty and staff about working with Under-Resourced college students. The book Understanding and Engaging Under-Resourced College Students by Tucker et al has been widely read at the college and about a dozen small group book talks have been conducted to discuss the concepts in the book. The author has been to the college twice to lead full day workshops on this material to help college personnel understand the challenges, behaviors, and various resources our students bring with them to the academic environment. Understanding that there are hidden rules in higher education is a significant first step to be able to evaluate how we communicate with students and set them up for their best chance of success. There have been numerous workshops and sessions for employees over a two year span with well over 500 participants.


A brief description of the institution’s programs to prepare students from low-income backgrounds for higher education:

Jefferson has designed new student orientation with first generation, low income students in mind. Processes, language, expectations, and step by step assistance with learning about academics, campus life, and finances are all incorporated. All new students are expected to register for a First Year Experience Course in which they will establish a major, research their career field, develop an academic plan, and learn the skills and tools needed to be a successful college student.


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

Most of the scholarships are based on need and merit. None specifically for low income .


A brief description of the institution’s programs to guide parents of low-income students through the higher education experience:

Parents are encouraged to attend new student orientation (SOAR) with their son or daughter. The SOAR Parent Session teaches parents how to best support their student in becoming independent, navigating the academic environment, college expectations, and tips for how the parent can transition to the role of a coach now that their student is an adult. The college has a partnership with the Kentuckiana College Access Center (KCAC) which is located on campus. KCAC works with students and their families in applying for college and for federal financial aid. The college also participates in the annual College Goal Sunday event which is designed for families interested in applying for financial aid.


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

Two of the lowest performing high schools in the Louisville area were targeted for partnership. An Early College model has been implemented at Western High School and the local Rotary has created a full tuition scholarship program for students who graduate from Western or Iroquois High School and meet certain criteria to attend Jefferson.


A brief description of the institution’s other admissions policies and programs:

Jefferson admits students who have graduated from high school, who have earned a high school general equivalency diploma (GED) who are eligible to pursue a GED, or who are dually enrolled in high school and the college.
Students must submit results of the American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Students who have not taken the ACT or SAT must complete the COMPASSTM or ASSET placement examination to determine course placement.


A brief description of the institution’s other financial aid polices or programs:

One and a half hours have been dedicated to financial aid and financial literacy during the new student orientation (SOAR) program. This session is held in a computer lab so financial aid counselors can assist students in a hands-on approach to help complete their To Do List which expedites the completion of their financial aid process. The college has a partnership with the Kentuckiana College Access Center (KCAC) which is located on campus. KCAC works with students and their families in applying for college and for federal financial aid. The college also participates in the annual College Goal Sunday event which is designed for families interested in applying for financial aid.

Financial Aid services are accessible 24 hour a day, 7 days a week via telephone, email, or live chat.


A brief description of the institution’s other policies and programs not covered above:

Jefferson Counts!

For many students just the thought of math class makes them worry. Will I understand it? Can I pass the class? Why do I need math anyway? But of course, math is an integral part of everyday life and a critical skill in many of the professions Jefferson students will enter. So the college has embarked on a five-year process to change the way students think about math and the way some math classes are taught. It is a program known as Jefferson Counts and it is JCTC’s Quality Enhancement Plan.


The website URL where information about programs in each of the areas listed above is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

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