Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 54.46
Liaison Audrey McSain
Submission Date March 30, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Lehigh University
PA-7: Affordability and Access

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.89 / 4.00 Donald Outing
Mr
Diversity and Equity Coordination
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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

A brief description of any policies and programs to minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students:

Lehigh University has a deep and longstanding commitment to need-based financial aid and continually seeks new ways to provide access to a Lehigh education for all students. We determine a student's financial need based on their family's income and assets, and award Lehigh University Grant to student with demonstrated financial need.


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

Through the Dean of Students Office, Lehigh provides a host of opportunities for faculty and staff to help serve students from low-income backgrounds. Office such as the Office of the First-year Experience, The Pride Center, the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Women's Center (among others) allow faculty and staff to engage all students to aid in the transition to the campus community.


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

The Office of Admissions sponsors recruitment programs for students that include traditional on-campus events such as the Diversity Achievers Program (DAP) and evening financial aid sessions that help students to navigate the application process, uncover the depth of study and academic opportunities available at Lehigh and provide counseling for filing for financial aid. The Diversity Achievers Program (DAP) is an application-only overnight program sponsored during the fall term that brings traditionally under-served and first-generation college students to campus to learn more about campus life and academic opportunities at Lehigh.


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

Lehigh University has a deep and longstanding commitment to need-based financial aid and continually seeks new ways to provide access to a Lehigh education for all students. We determine a student's financial need based on their family's income and assets, and award Lehigh University Grant to student with demonstrated financial need.


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

Over the past several years, the Office of Admissions at Lehigh has created greater partnerships with Community Based Organizations (CBOs) that act in an advocacy role to help students learn more about the depth of opportunities available on campus. CBOs usually act on behalf of prospective students much like a traditional high school guidance counselor, particularly in larger metropolitan areas where counseling might be adequate to prepare students for the demands of a competitive college campus. In addition, the Office of Admissions has intentionally increased its recruitment efforts to predominately low-income and first-generation students in targeted metropolitan cities as well as rural areas.


A brief description of the institution’s other policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:

The above description adequately describes Lehigh's commitment to making the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students.


Does the institution have policies and programs to support non-traditional students?:
No

A brief description of the institution’s scholarships provided specifically for part-time students:

At this point, Lehigh does not provide scholarships (merit or need-based) to support part-time students. Lehigh does not, at this time, support any part-time to degree completion programs.


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:

Lehigh supports a child care facility on its campus for employees of the University.


A brief description of the institution’s other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:

Non-traditional students are permitted to take advantage of every service and/or program that aides in their transition to campus life as would the traditional-age population.


Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 of this credit (tracking accessibility and affordability)? (If data is not available, select 'No'):
Yes

The percentage of entering students that are low-income (0-100):
20

The graduation/success rate for low-income students (0-100):
96

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):
98

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):
25

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):
50

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.