| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.60 |
| Liaison | Dayna Cook |
| Submission Date | May 1, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Northern Arizona University
PA-8: Affordability and Access
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.78 / 4.00 |
Ellen
Vaughan Manager Office of Sustainability |
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:
There are multiple opportunities for students to minimize the cost of attendance through Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship Office.
University Grants
University Grants are need-based awards.
Resident Set-Aside and nonresident Set-Aside grants are awarded to students who are at least half time undergraduates.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). The FSEOG Program provides need-based grants to help low-income undergraduate students finance the costs of postsecondary education.
The Pell Grant is need-based financial aid. Pell Grant funding is guaranteed for all Pell eligible students. Pell grants may be awarded to eligible undergraduate students who are enrolled less that full time for the term. The award amounts are pro-rated based on enrolled hours.
Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a need-based program that provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses.
A brief description of any programs to equip the institution’s faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:
Faculty and Staff can contact the Student Support Services to connect with resources for serving students from low-income backgrounds.
A brief description of any programs to prepare students from low-income backgrounds for higher education:
NAU supports traditional 2 + 2 programs with community colleges and partners with every Arizona community college. One particularly developed relationship is between NAU and Coconino Community College through the CCC2NAU President's Scholarship, a fund that will support students who attend both institutions on their path toward earning a bachelor's degree. http://www.coconino.edu/news/217-ccc-and-nau-presidents-form-new-initiative-to-ensure-student-success
NAU participates in pipeline partnerships with Arizona high schools through the Upward Bound program. Upward Bound is a program designed to prepare students from low-income backgrounds for higher education. It 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:
Administered through Office of Financial Aid, there are many scholarships available for diverse student population targeting, for example, first generation students, single parents, and low-income students.
The Inclusion and Multicultural Services 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.
Additional grants and scholarships:
University Grants
University Grants are need-based awards.
Resident Set-Aside and nonresident Set-Aside grants are awarded to students who are at least half time undergraduates.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). The FSEOG Program provides need-based grants to help low-income undergraduate students finance the costs of postsecondary education.
The Pell Grant is need-based financial aid. Pell Grant funding is guaranteed for all Pell eligible students. Pell grants may be awarded to eligible undergraduate students who are enrolled less that full time for the term. The award amounts are pro-rated based on enrolled hours.
Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a need-based program that provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses.
A brief description of any 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.
Additional resources are available through the Office of Inclusion and Multicultural Student Services; Native American Student Services, Gateway Center, and University College.
A brief description of any 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).
Other resources are:
Upward Bound (described above)
Upward Bound Math and Science
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.
http://nau.edu/Four-Corners-UBMS/
Nizhoni Acadamy.
The Nizhoni Academy, is a pre-college enrichment program designed to prepare Native American High School students to become successful college students. The program is comprised of an annual four-six week academic and residential program held on the campus of Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. The academy emphasizes rigorous STEM academic instruction, a clear understanding of the demands of college studies, and high academic competency and study skills necessary to be successful student in post-secondary education. http://nau.edu/Nizhoni-Academy/
A brief description of other admissions policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
Policies and programs are primarily offered through the Office of Admissions working closely with Office of Financial Aid
Since the fall 2010 semester, Northern Arizona University has implemented a 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 other financial aid policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
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.
http://nau.edu/Admissions/Financing/Western-Undergraduate-Exchange/
A brief description of other policies and programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students not covered above:
The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Scholarship
Students who meet the university’s admission criteria and live in one of 14 Western states states can receive a tuition rate of 1.5 times the cost of resident tuition. All students are evaluated for eligibility during the admissions process. Eligible students, once admitted, will automatically receive the WUE tuition rate.
Educational Aid Registration Permits (EARPs)
The EARP is used for reduced tuition at NAU, ASU, and the U of A. Only eligible employees, the employee's spouse, domestic partners, and the employee's dependent children qualify for this benefit.
The Office of Student Financial Aid processes all EARPs, but the Human Resources department holds the information to eligibility, credit hour limits, fees, etc. More information can be found at the Education Assistance web page.
http://nau.edu/FinAid/Other-Programs/For-Employees/
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:
Part-time students can participate in a variety of NAU scolarships.
http://nau.edu/FinAid/Scholarships/
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:
No on-site child care facilities; Student Life administers child care vouchers for students.
A brief description of other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:
NAU offers Family Housing for full-time students.
https://nau.edu/Residence-Life/Housing-Options/Family-Housing/
University College
University College promotes an enhanced learning experience for students. Faculty, staff, and students create a challenging and supportive environment to enable a successful transition to the university and a solid foundation for continued academic success. You are automatically a part of University College when admitted to Northern Arizona University.
http://nau.edu/University-College/
The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid offers tribal scholarships.
http://nau.edu/FinAid/Scholarships/Tribal/
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 | 31.10 |
| The graduation/success rate for low-income students | 49 |
| The percentage of student financial need met, on average | 62 |
| The percentage of students graduating with no interest-bearing student loan debt | 36 |
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.