Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 61.29
Liaison Bonnie Dong
Submission Date Aug. 31, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

MacEwan University
PA-7: Affordability and Access

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 4.00 Frances Billingsley
Director
Student Financial Aid
"---" 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:
Bursaries are awarded based on financial need and do not need to be repaid. Students must be registered in 60 per cent of a full course load (usually three courses) to qualify. Approximately $290,000 in bursary funding is available to students entering their first year of study at MacEwan University who demonstrate financial need through the Student Success Bursary. Every fall and winter, Student Awards also gives bursaries to students in financial need. In fall 2014, 200 students will receive $180,000 and in winter 2015, 300 students will receive $250,000 total in bursaries. The Students' Association of MacEwan University (SAMU) assists with providing money to students through scholarships, awards, and bursaries totaling approximately $250,000 each year. Awards are based on criteria such as volunteerism or leadership and may include, but are not limited to, academic achievement or financial need. Students must be in 60 per cent of a full course load (usually three courses). The Alberta and Canadian governments also provide student loans and grants to students in financial need. Loans are determined based on financial need and must be repaid after graduation or leaving school. Loans are interest free as long as full-time enrollment is maintained. Grants are also awarded to those who require financial assistance; however, they do not need to be repaid. Student Aid Alberta Funding (i.e., government student loans) are available to students based on their financial need.

A brief description of any programs to equip the institution’s faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:
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A brief description of the institution’s programs to guide and prepare students and families from low-income backgrounds for higher education:
Financial Aid and Future Student Advisors are available to meet with prospective and current students to discuss queries related to student loans, grants, lines of credit, sponsorships and Registered Educational Savings Plans.

A brief description of the institution's scholarships for low-income students:
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A brief description of the institution’s targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:
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A brief description of the institution’s other policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
SAMU also offers a confidential Student Food Bank service to help students in need. Each month students can access the Food Bank for a hamper of non-perishable food that last 5-7 days. Approximately 9.7 tonnes of food is given to students in need each year.

Does the institution have policies and programs to support non-traditional students?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s scholarships provided specifically for part-time students:
Almost all scholarships, awards and bursaries given out by Students Awards are for full time students. There are approximately seven awards or bursaries available for part time students. Alberta Works Income Support The Alberta Works Income Support Program provides financial support for adult residents of Alberta who are attending part-time training. The part-time initiative is designed to assist: low-income, employed Albertans who require further skill development to maintain employment, increase earnings and to be self-sufficient low-income, unemployed Albertans who are employment-destined and assessed as unable to participate in full-time training and will benefit from part-time training. Eligible students will receive a Skills Investment Bursary (SIB) to cover the cost of tuition, fees, books and supplies, transportation and child care (if applicable).

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:
Early Learning at MacEwan is proud to offer quality, supportive child care education and services in Edmonton, for children aged 19 months through six years. Our curriculum incorporates the latest theories and practices of early childhood education and gives children the confidence and security to develop a strong sense of identity. Early Learning at MacEwan is one of the newest pilot program organizations for Alberta's $25/day child care initiative. All together, 100 Early Learning and Child Care Centres are part of the pilot project, which aims to provide more affordable, accessible and flexible child care across the province. A recent approval from the government capped the childcare fees to less then half of what they were originally to provide more service to low income families. Bursaries are available for students requiring child care services. Students are also able to apply for subsidies for child care services through the Government of Alberta: http://humanservices.alberta.ca/financial-support/15104.html

A brief description of the institution’s other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:
There are 15 Scholarships and Bursaries listed specifically for Students with Disabilities The Alberta Works Income Support Program for Part-Time Training provides financial support for adult residents of Alberta who are accepted into either a Preparation for University and College, English as a Second Language, or a certificate program and will be attending part-time training. This program is designed to assist: - low-income, employed Albertans who require further skill development to maintain employment, increase earnings and to be self-sufficient. - low-income, unemployed Albertans who are employment-destined and assessed as unable to participate in full-time training and will benefit from part-time training. Eligible students will receive a Skills Investment Bursary (SIB) to a maximum of $5,000 per academic year. The SIB covers the cost of tuition, fees, books and supplies, transportation and child care (if applicable). Students with dependents other than a spouse or partner/Single parents: Bursary programs apply, Annie Hole Bursary (100x$1000) Advancing Futures Bursary Individuals who had a Permanent Guardianship Order (PGO) between the time they were 13 and 18 years old or have been in the care of custody of Alberta Children and Youth Services between the ages of 13 and 22, they might be eligible for the Advancing Futures bursary. This funding will cover upgrading, certificate, diploma, applied degree and degree programs and is open to full- and part-time students.

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

The percentage of entering students that are low-income (0-100):
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The graduation/success rate for low-income students (0-100):
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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):
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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):
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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):
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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.