Muhlenberg College
PA-8: Affordability and Access

Muhlenberg College has policies and programs in place to make it accessible and affordable to low income students.• Policies that minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students Muhlenberg does have policies in place to make tuition affordable for traditional low-income students. Although we do not have policies specifically geared towards low-income students, our financial aid policy is set up in such a way that tuition is affordable for everyone. We also try not to “gap” our students, meaning we create financial aid packages that meet students’ full financial needs. Additionally, we also do not include the parents’ loan as part of a student’s financial aid package. Even though these are not official policies, we do take these actions.

We have a program titled “Emerging Leaders”, where the details were mentioned earlier in PA 6. To be an Emerging Leader, a student has to fit a certain number/degree of criteria, one of them being having a low-income background. Yet, a student does not necessarily have to come from a low-income background to be a member of the group, but that factor is taken heavily into consideration.

Muhlenberg College has policies and programs in place to make it accessible and affordable to low income students. A pilot program was created involving 10 students from low-income backgrounds. These students were given a guide for success at college, as well as follow ups to any questions they may have. A complete list of the resources available to them here at Muhlenberg was also given to allow a full view of their opportunities here at the college. Programs to guide parents for low-income students through the higher education 3 days before regular student orientation a special orientation is set up specific for low-income background students. These students are encouraged to come with their parents for a pre-orientation that is voluntary to receive a private guide to the resources available to them at the college. Parents also receive brochures to let them know the opportunities available for them and their kids at the college. If we’re invited to be a guest speaker or hold a workshop by a low-income school, we’ll do it.

Muhlenberg College provides financial aid to low-income students. Our scholarship awards are merit-based and apply to all students regardless of their income background.

Muhlenberg College has policies and programs in place to make it accessible and affordable to low income students. Programs to prepare students from low-income backgrounds for higher education A pilot program was created this year involving 10 students from low-income backgrounds. These students were given a guide for success at college, as well as follow ups to any questions they may have. A complete list of the resources available to them here at Muhlenberg was also given to allow a full view of their opportunities here at the college. Programs to guide parents for low-income students through the higher education 3 days before regular student orientation a special orientation is set up specific for low-income background students. These students are encouraged to come with their parents for a pre-orientation that is voluntary to receive a private guide to the resources available to them at the college. Parents also receive brochures to let them know the opportunities available for them and their kids at the college.

Part of our recruitment policy is that we got to high schools that consist of students who come from low-income.

• Scholarships provided specifically for part-time students Scholarships are available for part-time students. For a complete list of scholarships geared towards non-traditional students, please see the attached document labeled “PA 8 - Continuing Education”, or follow the links below: o http://www.muhlenberg.edu/pdf/main/aboutus/finaid/wescoe/WescoeScholarship.pdf

Muhlenberg offers need-based financial aid to non-traditional students.

• Cindy Amaya Santiago, Senior Associate Director of Admission and Coordinator of Multicultural Recruitment, csantiago@muhlenberg.edu, 484-664-3245 (info on traditional students) • Kim Myerson, Wescoe School's Financial Aid Administrator, kmyerson@muhlenberg.edu, 484-664-3164 (info on non-traditional students) • Greg Mitton, Director of Financial Aid, Associate Dean of Admissions, mitton@muhlenberg.edu (data on low-income students)