Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 32.82
Liaison Katharine Glenn
Submission Date March 6, 2020
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Paul Smith's College of Arts & Sciences
PA-7: Affordability and Access

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.83 / 4.00 Katharine Glenn
Sustainability Coordinator
Center for Campus Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have policies and programs 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:

N/A


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

N/A


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

The Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) requires that all new students who enter into the program (As Freshman) attend a four week summer session at Paul Smith's College. The summer session consists of 5 non-credit courses to assist students in being college ready. Courses include Math, English, Science, HEOP Seminar course, and a course on Inclusion and Diversity. The HEOP Summer course includes an overview of study skills, financial aid, career development, as well as several other topics which help prepare students for college. Students are living on campus during this time, and courses are taught by Paul Smith's College Faculty.


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

We have two programs that focus specifically on supporting students who are identified as low income, The Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) and TRiO Student Support Services (TRiO SSS).

Students who qualify for the HEOP program must meet specific low income guidelines (determined by income/ number of members in household) and academic achievement ( GPA or admitted to Paul Smith's College under the Transitional program) and be New York State residents, as this is a NY State program. Students who are qualify and are admitted into the program are given a scholarship which covers the cost of tuition, room and board, and books. In addition students in the program are required to also apply for their maximum eligible Stafford/federal loan. https://www.paulsmiths.edu/heop1/

Students who qualify for the TRiO SSS program must be either low income (as determined by being PELL Eligible, Federal Student Aid Eligibility Requirements), first-generation (first in their family to attend college) or have a disability, or some combination of the three to qualify for the program. TRiO SSS offers scholarships of at least $1000 or more to students who qualify and participate in the program. Participation includes attending regular meetings with an assigned TRiO Counselor and completing several online educational programs including financial literacy. https://www.paulsmiths.edu/trio/


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

Paul Smith's College Admissions Counselors continually make all potential students aware of the programs and services on campus to support students who qualify as Low-Income. This is advertised on the college webpage and during all recruitment and outreach events. HEOP also sends a staff member to various high schools for one week in the Fall and one week in the Spring, to recruit students who qualify for the program. Most high schools the program recruit from are CBI Schools or college bound initiative schools.


A brief description of the institution’s other policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
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Does the institution have policies and programs to support non-traditional students?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s scholarships provided specifically for part-time students:

N/A


A brief description of the institution’s on-site child care facility, partnership with a local facility, and/or subsidies or financial support to help meet the child care needs of students:

N/A


A brief description of the institution’s other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:

Paul Smith's College recruits non-traditional students, specifically Veterans. Veterans Services include the assistance of a dedicated admissions counselor to support veterans while applying for and attending Paul Smith's College. Paul Smith’s College has personnel ready to help veterans understand and utilize the benefits available to them. Whether they are using the Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30), Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31), Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), or the Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606), our VA Certifying Official can guide Veterans through the process of applying for benefits and is available to assist with any questions they may have. Paul Smith's is a member of the Yellow Ribbon Program, which is a government program that covers tuition and fees for those eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

The college also has a Veterans Resource Center, the VRC is dedicated solely to veterans for both work and play. It features an area for gaming, lounging and watching TV, as well as computers and work areas where students can concentrate. There is also a Veterans Club, which is student run and they organize community service projects for the local community, as well as for our military oversees. https://www.paulsmiths.edu/veterans/


Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 of this credit (tracking accessibility and affordability)? (If data is not available, select 'No'):
Yes

The percentage of entering students that are low-income (0-100):
43

The graduation/success rate for low-income students (0-100):
40

On average, the percentage of need that was met for students who were awarded any need-based aid (e.g. as reported to the U.S. Common Data Set initiative, item H2) (0-100):
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The percentage of students graduating with no interest-bearing student loan debt or for whom no out-of-pocket tuition is required (i.e. the percentage of graduates who have not taken out interest-bearing loans) (0-100):
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Estimated percentage of students that participate in or directly benefit from the institution’s policies and programs to support low-income and non-traditional students (0-100):
30

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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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.