| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 50.53 |
| Liaison | Taryn Wilkinson |
| Submission Date | Aug. 10, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Niagara College Canada
PA-8: Affordability and Access
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 4.00 |
Adam
Dusome Director Enrollment & Registration |
Does the institution have policies and programs in place to make it accessible and affordable to low-income students?:
A brief description of any policies and programs to minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students:
OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program) helps students from lower and middle income families meet the costs of college. It provides financial assistance for educational costs and basic living expenses and assistance is based on financial need as established by the federal and/or provincial governments and as determined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) through an assessment of an application. Educational costs (such as tuition fees, books and supplies, basic living expenses) and the resources that students are expected to contribute are taken into consideration. When students fill out an OSAP application he/she will automatically be assessed for grants and these grants do not need to be paid back. More information can be found here:http://www.niagaracollege.ca/fees-finances/osap/.
The Canada Student Grant for Students from Low-Income Families is a grant that provides $250 per month of study. The grant is available for each year of undergraduate studies as long as students meet the qualifications: apply and qualify for student financial assistance (have at least a $1 of assessed financial need);
are from a low-income family as defined by the Canada Student Loans Program; and
are enrolled full-time in a program that is at least 2 years in duration (at least 60 weeks) at a designated post-secondary institution. More information can be found here: http://www.canlearn.ca/eng/loans_grants/grants/low.shtml.
Niagara College Financial Aid can also assist students with emergency loans, food vouchers, and alternative payment plans based in individual needs.
A brief description of any programs to equip the institution’s faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:
Not Applicable
A brief description of any programs to prepare students from low-income backgrounds for higher education:
Niagara College Financial Aid provides financial literacy workshops for students, service fairs and outreach information, as well as access to financial aid advisors. If any students have questions about OSAP, scholarships and bursaries, or other financial aid questions or concerns, he/she can contact Financial Aid and Awards for assistance at any time.
A brief description of the institution's scholarships for low-income students:
The majority of scholarships and bursaries at the college require students to demonstrate financial need. More information can be found here: http://www.niagaracollege.ca/fees-finances/financial-aid-and-awards/scholarships-bursaries/).
A brief description of any programs to guide parents of low-income students through the higher education experience:
KickSTART is Niagara College's pre-orientation program designed to help with a students transition into college life, as well as parents who have children attending college. At KickSTART scholarship and bursary information is covered, including the resources the college has to assist in this process. The Centre for Stduent Engagement and Leadership First Generation program also provides advice for parents and families to help them support their children and family members as they make the transition to college.
A brief description of any targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:
All of recruitment efforts at Niagara College aim to reach all individuals including low income.
A brief description of other admissions policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
Not Applicable
A brief description of other financial aid policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
Not Applicable
A brief description of other policies and programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students not covered above:
Not Applicable
Does the institution have policies and programs in place to support non-traditional students?:
A brief description of any scholarships provided specifically for part-time students:
There are no scholarships provided specifically for part-time students at this time.
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:
Not Applicable
A brief description of other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:
First Generation students are students (of any age) whose parents or guardians did not attend college or university. Crown Wards are also considered to be First Generation students. First Generation students face challenges that other students may not encounter and as a First Generation student, he/she and his/her parents may require extra information and support to help him/her feel equipped once he/she arrives at Niagara College.Niagara College offers bursaries specifically for First Generation Students. More information can be found here: http://www.niagaracollege.ca/student-engagement-and-leadership/programs/first-generation-students/.
Second Career is a program supported by the Ontario Government and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. Second Career provides laid-off workers with skills training to help them find jobs in high-demand occupations in Ontario. Second Career provides up to $28,000 for tuition, books, other instruction costs such as manuals or workbooks, transportation, and a basic living allowance. Additional support may be available to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities, dependent care, costs of living away from home and academic upgrading. More information can be found here: http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/secondcareer/index.html.
Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 of this credit (accessibility and affordability indicators)?:
Indicators that the institution is accessible and affordable to low-income students::
| Percentage (0-100) | |
| The percentage of entering students that are low-income | --- |
| The graduation/success rate for low-income students | --- |
| The percentage of student financial need met, on average | --- |
| 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:
The website URL where information about the institution's affordability and access programs is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.