Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 43.28
Liaison Adam Maurer
Submission Date Dec. 18, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

South Seattle College
PA-7: Affordability and Access

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 4.00 Adam Maurer
District Sustainability Coordinator
Office of 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:

13th Year Promise Scholarship increases access to higher education for our community's students, particularly those from underrepresented groups (e.g. students of color, low-income students, and first-generation college students). The scholarship is open to all graduates from participating high schools, regardless of GPA, income or other factors. All participating students are guaranteed to have one year of in-state tuition covered through a combination of need-based financial aid and scholarship funds. Once enrolled as full-time students, participants can pursue the program that best fits their interests, including academic transfer degrees to prepare for transfer to a four-year college or university, and professional/technical career training for a fast-track into the workforce. http://www.southseattle.edu/13th-year

The primary purpose of the TRiO programs is to prepare students from disadvantaged backgrounds to successfully enter, persist, and complete a post-secondary education. In general, these programs identify low-income, first-generation, and students with disabilities and provides them the assistance, support, and encouragement necessary to enter and complete a college education.

South Seattle College has largest community college foundation in the state; a mix of need, merit, and affinity scholarships are offered through the Foundation to help low-income and under-represented students. http://www.southseattle.edu/foundation/

South Seattle College offers a tuition payment plan with no interest

South Seattle College has an opportunity grant which supports 11 professional and technical programs.


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

Mandatory training for staff each year on the college's specific populations.

Resources for staff on how to become adept at managing school related expenses.


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

TRiO Student Support Services, formerly Student Academic Assistance (SAA), assists with the personal, academic and professional growth of first–generation college students, low–income college students, and college students with disabilities. The program helps underserved students complete an associate degree and/or successfully transfer to a 4–year college program.The 13th year scholar program also gives assistance to low-income students preparing to enter college.

Outreach department partners with local high schools to provide materials to help students transition into college.

South Seattle participates in the Roadmap Project; a regional college access program that aims to boost college attainment in south Seattle.

Orientation is focused on student success at the South Seattle. Intro to South brings high-school juniors onto campus for a day to talk about how to prepare for college education.

Basic and Transitional studies helps students move into college level programs from ESL, they also help them as they transfer.


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

13th Year Scholar Program http://www.southseattle.edu/13th-year/

Program specific scholarships are offered through multiple programs at South Seattle College and are need based.

General need based scholarships are offered through the Foundation. http://www.southseattle.edu/foundation/support.aspx

Childcare grants for need base students who have children in childcare at South Seattle College.

South Seattle College has an Emergency Fund which helps pay one-time costs for tuition and books that would otherwise prevent students for attending South Seattle.


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

13th Year Promise Scholarship increases access to higher education for our community's students, particularly those from underrepresented groups (e.g. students of color, low-income students, and first-generation college students). The scholarship is open to all graduates from participating high schools, regardless of GPA, income or other factors. All participating students are guaranteed to have one year of in-state tuition covered through a combination of need-based financial aid and scholarship funds. Once enrolled as full-time students, participants can pursue the program that best fits their interests, including academic transfer degrees to prepare for transfer to a four-year college or university, and professional/technical career training for a fast-track into the workforce. http://www.southseattle.edu/13th-year

The primary purpose of the TRiO programs is to prepare students from disadvantaged backgrounds to successfully enter, persist, and complete a post-secondary education. In general, these programs identify low-income, first-generation, and students with disabilities and provides them the assistance, support, and encouragement necessary to enter and complete a college education .


A brief description of the institution’s other policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:

N/A


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:

General need based scholarships are offered through the Foundation. http://www.southseattle.edu/foundation/support.aspx


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:

The South Seattle College Preschool and Child Care Center has been serving the diverse needs of South Seattle College families since 1976. It is a state-certified center and is funded in part by college and student funds. The center is a place where children can develop positive attitudes about themselves and others, participate in age-appropriate learning experiences and opportunities, gain skills to deal with life situations, and develop knowledge about their world while their parents pursue educational and professional goals.

South Seattle College students and employees with children between the ages of 18 months - 9 years old (primarily serve 18 months to age 5) are eligible to apply for enrollment. Enrollment is based on the number of spaces available and the parent's
schedule. Children are enrolled on a pre-arranged, reserved schedule. Applications for enrollment are handled through the Child Care Office in Building 148. We welcome telephone inquiries and in-person visits.

For students, rates range from $4.75/hour to $5.75/hour based on age of the child(ren). Each child must be enrolled in a minimum of 20 hours per week.


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

South Seattle has a Veterans Affairs Office on site. The office provides assistance regarding veteran-entitled benefits, such as, preparing VA application forms and documentation required by the Department of Veteran Affairs. The office also provides assistance in documenting military training for college credit.

The Student Veteran Center coordinates with the campus Veterans Affairs department and serves as a resource referral to campus departments and community organizations for veterans.

South Seattle also has a President's Advisory Committee on Veterans, which reports directly to the President and informs and advises her/him on all student veterans matters. This advisory committee commits to promote, support, and serve the diverse needs of its veterans to include students, staff, and faculty.


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

The percentage of entering students that are low-income (0-100):
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The graduation/success rate for low-income students (0-100):
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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):
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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:

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.