Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 54.97
Liaison Catherine Lockhart
Submission Date June 17, 2013
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.2

Lawrence University
PAE-10: Affordability and Access Programs

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Kathleen Isaacson
Associate Professor / Chair Committee on Sustainability 2012-2013
Library
"---" 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:

We are not a part of TRIO.


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

The financial aid office has policies in place to provide financial aid packages that make Lawrence University affordable for those students who are most likely to be successful at Lawrence. This includes policies that meet a higher percentage of need with gift aid for specific groups of students, including those recruited through the Community Based Organizations (CBO) that we partner with. Additionally, students work closely with Financial Aid and Financial Services on payment plans, work-study opportunities, and other options to make Lawrence affordable for all students. We help students to plan “summer work” and to understand how to budget their money. We also work closely with parents of low-income students who need help in completing the financial aid paperwork and understanding the payment options.


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

Diversity training is available to all faculty and staff, and all employees are made aware of the large network of financial, social, and personal support programs.


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

Our Financial Aid staff work closely with low-income students to make sure they understand all parts of the financial aid award. We also have access to emergency funds and grants in case a student’s financial situation changes with short notice. We continually look for ways to enhance and expand these opportunities through local and national grants.


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

Scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, music performance, community engagement, environmental leadership, global perspectives, and involvement with partner CBO programs.


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

Our Financial Aid office regularly sends information to parents both in email and paper form. The Financial Aid office will work closely with parents who are struggling with the application process and/or filing the tax forms. We encourage families to call the Financial Aid office with any questions or concerns about the student’s financial aid award. Financial Services also works with these families to provide several options for paying the student’s bill. Again, the office will reach out to families via phone, email, and mail when there is a concern or issue with a student’s account.


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

The Admissions Office works closely with several Community Based Organizations, such as College Possible, College Horizons, and College Bound – St. Louis, in order to connect with high achieving, low-income students. We also provide campus tours, information sessions, and resources to local GEAR UP, AVID, and other programs.


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

The admissions office was unsure of how to answer this question.


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

Institutional scholarships are awarded to students at the point of admission. Scholarships are renewed each year provided the student remains in good academic standing with the university.

Unless there are changes to a family’s household or financial situation, a student’s need-based financial aid award will stay relatively consistent from year to year. If a family experiences a change in their situation that impacts their ability to contribute to their student’s educational expenses, they are encouraged to submit information about that change to the financial aid office, thereby allowing the financial aid office to evaluate the student’s need based on the family’s current financial situation.


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

n/a


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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