Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 49.84
Liaison Jay Clark
Submission Date Feb. 12, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Maryville College
PA-8: Affordability and Access

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.75 / 4.00 Adrienne Schwarte
Associate Professor of Design, Coordinator of Sustainability Studies Minor
Fine Arts & Sustainability Studies
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Does the institution have policies and programs in place 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:

Students’ financial aid awards are individually packaged to address all financial need based on the information that was provided on the FAFSA. Each award is unique to the specific financial needs of that individual student and their families. Maryville College may provide institutional need based aid to students that might not qualify for state or federal need based aid. Maryville College strives to make college affordable to all populations regardless of the families’ ability to pay.


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

The Campus' ongoing workshop session, Summits on RESPECT, facilitates staff, faculty and student discussion on fostering better communication among members of the campus community. The sessions are part of MC's work as a member of the National Coalition Building Institute, an international non-profit leadership development network dedicated to the elimination of racism and other forms of oppression.


A brief description of any programs to prepare students from low-income backgrounds for higher education:

The Maryville College Life Enrichment Program (MCLEP or “portfolio”) is a means to enrich and diversify the student’s educational experience through a combination of curricular and co-curricular activities. In the program each student works closely with a faculty or staff mentor to identify or design projects appropriate for his or her personal growth.

The program is a bridge program to aid students who may be struggling academically, which could be due to a number of factors, some of which may involve low-income backgrounds and families who may/may not have attended college and, therefore, are not prepared for the rigors of college academics in the first semesters. Additionally, may low-income students need to work to pay for college and this affects schedules for attending classes, completing work, etc. This program helps them get back on track and avoid further academic challenges that would affect their ability to be successful in college.


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

Scholarship available through the Asia-Pacific Foundation, The Veteran's Yellow Ribbon program and the Teacher Educations Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant and others provide opportunities for low-income students to apply and be admitted to MC. The college also offers Bonner and Bradford scholarships to high-need students who are willing to do community service work.


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

Net price calculator available, financial advising available to all students via walk-ins or phone calls. Guiding through Rafsanjani applications


A brief description of any targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:

Recruits in areas which have large groups of low-income students. The college is a member of "I'm First" which is a site where first generation students register to look for college.


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

Admissions operates on a need-blind program, and socioeconomic status does not play a role in advertising or have a specific function in any programs or policies. Financial aid packaging strategy automatically gives any admitted student a 14,000 scholarship upon admission.
Conditional admission policy which allows students who don't qualify for automatic admission can get admitted, get a scholarship, and work closely with academic support.


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

Students’ financial aid awards are individually packaged to address all financial need based on the information that was provided on the FAFSA. Each award is unique to the specific financial needs of that individual student and their families. Maryville College may provide institutional need based aid to students that might not qualify for state or federal need based aid. Maryville College strives to make college affordable to all populations regardless of the families’ ability to pay.


A brief description of other policies and programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students not covered above:

The Maryville College Academic Support Center provides tutoring, study group sessions, and personalized instruction to any and all students who need support in their classes.


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

A brief description of any scholarships provided specifically for part-time students:

There are not scholarships available to students attending on a part-time basis from the College, but the student may utilize federal and state aid if they are eligible.The college also works I'm conjunction with HOPE to support part time students.


A brief description of any onsite child care facilities, partnerships with local facilities, and/or subsidies or financial support to help meet the child care needs of students:

N/A


A brief description of other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:

The college recently implemented a Veteran Affairs office to support the needs of student veterans and their families. There is also a multicultural center where students can receive support for diversity issues.

The different needs and preferences of older, non-traditional students are recognized through an alternate Orientation Program for new non-traditional students coordinated by the Dean of Students. Non-traditional Peer Mentors are assigned to new non-traditional students to assist them in the transition to college life. In addition, the College supports a Non-Traditional Student Organization which is funded through the Student Government Association. Various activities and awards celebrate the diversity which non-traditional students bring to the College community including the annual Non-Traditional Student Luncheon and the Non-Traditional Student Leadership Award.


Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 of this credit (accessibility and affordability indicators)?:
Yes

Indicators that the institution is accessible and affordable to low-income students::
Percentage (0-100)
The percentage of entering students that are low-income 48
The graduation/success rate for low-income students 43
The percentage of student financial need met, on average 65
The percentage of students graduating with no interest-bearing student loan debt 19

The percentage of students that participate in or directly benefit from the institution’s policies and programs to support low-income and non-traditional students:
50

The website URL where information about the institution's affordability and access programs is available:
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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.