Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 64.02
Liaison Dayna Cook
Submission Date Aug. 2, 2011
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.0

Northern Arizona University
PAE-10: Affordability and Access Programs

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 David Camacho
Associate Vice President for Diversity and Equity
Office of the President
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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 the institution’s participation in federal TRIO programs:

Northern Arizona University currently participates in 5 federal TRIO programs ran by the Educational Support Services Office. These programs include: Student Support Services, Educational Opportunity Centers, Educational Talent Search, Upward Bound, and Four Corners Upward Bound.


A brief description of the institution’s policies and programs to minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students?:

To help minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students, Northern Arizona University offers Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG). Priority for the grants are given to NAU students with the lowest federally calculated Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

NAU grants 100% tuition remmission waivers to full time Graduate Assistants.


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

Beginning in the fall 2010 semester, Northern Arizona University will be premiering a new Peer Jacks Mentoring Program. This program will offer out-of-state freshman the opportunity to have a peer mentor who can help them find their own way out here at NAU. Current NAU students who are hired to be mentors will be paid 9 dollars an hour for their work. The overall goal of the program is to get freshman connected to people, departments, and other resources on campus and in the community. These connections will help them to find their place at NAU while also becoming successful academically.


A brief description of the institution’s programs to prepare students from low-income backgrounds for higher education:

At NAU, Upward Bound is a program designed to prepare students from low-income backgrounds for higher education. Upward Bound is a year-round program providing educational services and college preparatory assistance to Northern Arizona high school students who attend either Williams, Coconino, Hopi, or Winslow high schools. Services are provided in two components: The Portfolio program, and a Summer Residential Program. Upward Bound participants must be potential first-generation college students and/or from a family whose income falls within the federal low-income guidelines.


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

The Multicultural student center assists in the coordination of a variety of scholarships from private donors including, the Coordinating Council for Mexican-American Affairs, and the Wilson Riles Fund.


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

At NAU, parents are encouraged to participate in Upward Bound activities to support students in their secondary and postsecondary academic endeavors.


A brief description of the institution’s targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:

Educational Talent Search and Educational Opportunity Centers are examples of two programs that NAU utilizes in recruiting students from low-income backgrounds. Educational Talent Search increases educational and career awareness among middle school and high school students, enhances the number of students who complete middle and high school, encourages the number of students who continue and/or re-enter high school equivalency programs or enter post-secondary programs and vocational training, and decreases the number of dropouts and stop-outs. Participants must be potential first-generation college students or from a low-income family. Educational Opportunity Centers main objective is to provide information and assistance to adults 19 years of age and older seeking to enter or continue a program of postsecondary education (two-year, four-year college, or vocational/technical school). Low-income or first-generation students are eligible.


A brief description of the institution’s other admissions policies and programs:

Four Corners Upward Bound Math and Science Program brings high school students from the four corners region to Northern Arizona University for an intensive five-week academic summer program and continues throughout their academic years with follow up curriculum and activities. Freshman and sophomore high school students from low-income or first-generation families are eligible for the program. NAU also has an Office of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs that focuses on increasing the enrollment of students of color.


A brief description of the institution’s other financial aid polices or programs:

Northern Arizona University offers a pledge of 4 great years for 1 great rate. Beginning with new freshman and transfer students entering the Flagstaff campus in the fall semester, students will pay the same tuition rate for 4 years. Students awarded gift aid (grants) will have the same amount of gift aid guaranteed for 4 years. The pledge is NAU’s commitment to help undergraduate students enrolled on the Flagstaff campus and their families plan for the cost of a 4 year college education without any surprises or guessing.


A brief description of the institution’s other policies and programs not covered above:
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The website URL where information about programs in each of the areas listed above is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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