Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 53.93
Liaison Joanne Wong
Submission Date June 20, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Mills College
PA-8: Affordability and Access

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.26 / 4.00 Nicole Gaetjens
Sustainability Coordinator
Campus Facilities
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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:
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A brief description of any programs to equip the institution’s faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:

The college holds an annual day-long advising workshop to prepare faculty for their role as advisers, including discussion of how to assist students from low-income backgrounds. The advising page on the College's website for faculty includes resources for working with low income students.


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

Summer Academic Workshop

This four-week residential program, tailored for first-generation college students and students of color, provides selected students with a rigorous academic transition to college and a lasting support community. Over the four weeks, SAW students participate in approximately 68 hours of class time across four course modules (English, social justice, sociological inquiry, and mathematics), and three workshops (sociology, study skills, and writing). This is complemented by 48 hours of structured study time, interspersed with leadership development and team-building activities, introductions to key areas and resources on campus, weekly educational and social outings, athletic programs, and introductions to library and computing services available at Mills. SAW students consistently cite their participation in this program as one of the most meaningful, useful, and memorable aspects of their entire college experience.


A brief description of the institution's scholarships for low-income students:
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A brief description of any programs to guide parents of low-income students through the higher education experience:
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A brief description of any targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:

Mills recruits, admits, and enrolls students from low-income backgrounds. The admission staff visits high schools, college fairs, and community colleges which serve students from this population. Over 30% of the students enrolled at Mills are first-generation to college and a significant number of students receive Cal Grants and Pell Grants. The Summer Academic Workshop (SAW) is also a program which serves first-generation, low income students.


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

All students are required to submit an application, application fee, secondary school record, secondary school report, recommendations, and standardized test scores. The application fee can be waived for students who face financial hardship. The admission evaluation process is holistic and a student's academic preparation and personal characteristics are taken into consideration. Merit scholarships or grants are awarded to qualified students at the time of admission. Mills exercises need blind admission for all applicants.


A brief description of other financial aid policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
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A brief description of other policies and programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students not covered above:
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Does the institution have policies and programs in place to support non-traditional students?:
No

A brief description of any scholarships provided specifically for part-time students:
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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:
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A brief description of other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:
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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 47
The graduation/success rate for low-income students 63
The percentage of student financial need met, on average 66
The percentage of students graduating with no interest-bearing student loan debt ---

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:
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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.