Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 45.12
Liaison Stefanie Smith
Submission Date Aug. 13, 2012
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.1

Stark State College
PAE-10: Affordability and Access Programs

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Stefanie Smith
Sustainability Coordinator
Academic Affairs
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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:
TRIO - Student Support Services: TRiO is designed to help students achieve their educational goals at SSC and beyond. The TRiO Student Support Services Program is funded through a grant from the federal government and provides supportive services to eligible students. Website: http://www.starkstate.edu/trio TRIO - Upward Bound Math-Science: The UBMS Academy is a federal TRiO program that helps disadvantaged students prepare for and begin postsecondary education. The Academy provides access to academic support, pre-college advising, test preparation, co-curricular activities and enrichment so you’ll be ready to succeed in your educational pursuits beyond high school. Website:http://www.starkstate.edu/ubms

A brief description of the institution’s policies and programs to minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students?:
Stark State College has endowed scholarships available for students who are unable to meet their educational costs through full grant eligibility.

A brief description of the institution’s programs to equip the institution's faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:
Although Stark State College does not have a formalized session or training that is specifically aimed at this topic, understanding the student and meeting their needs is at the core of our events. For example: New Faculty Orientation includes a classroom engagement session conducted by the Teaching and Learning division. This session involves how to make our diverse student population feel as if they belong in the classroom and as part of the college community. A Handbook for Adjunct/Part-Time Faculty and Teachers of Adults is given to all attendees which includes a chapter on Teaching Adult Students and sections about diversity and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. JOLT (Joining Others in Learning and Teaching) this past year included a session on identifying who is the Stark State student and what their needs are. Case studies were completed by faculty members that involved how to support students with diverse problems. The case studies highlighted students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and their specific needs. 2012 Faculty Staff Retreat included a session where faculty and staff were asked to role play student/employee interactions. Socioeconomic issues were central to many of those role plays. Attendees were also asked to immerse themselves in an activity that was very foreign to them to help simulate how a new, first-generation student feels when entering the college environment for the first time. Additionally, a session on understanding Financial Aid was offered as a breakout session choice.

A brief description of the institution’s programs to prepare students from low-income backgrounds for higher education:
FAME, Focus on African-American Males: FAME is designed to promote college-going among African American males by strengthening social skills, emotional well-being, and academic achievement through high school and college academic support systems. Website: http://www.starkstate.edu/fame ECHS, Early College High School: ECHS is a program designed to offer Canton City high school students the opportunity to earn an associate degree while completing four years of high school. This program provides students valuable college readiness training, preparing them for the next step in their educational career. Websites: http://www.starkstate.edu/echs and http://earlycollege.ccsdistrict.org Stark County College Tech Prep: College Tech Prep is an exciting approach used in high schools and colleges to prepare high school students for the growing number of technical jobs that will require highly-skilled technical workers in the future. College Tech Prep expands options and opportunities with: • a direct path to a college degree • college credits earned while in high school • scholarship opportunities • team teaching and project-based instruction At the end of high school, College Tech Prep graduates are ready to choose a technical major and enter an advanced skills technical college degree program with stronger basic and occupational skills than graduates of general education or college prep programs. There are also articulation agreements in place with many colleges and universities where students may earn college credits while in high school and/or may transfer credits earned for an associate degree toward a bachelor’s degree. Students from all Consortium high schools are eligible to apply for admission to these high school programs on a tuition-free basis. Successful completion of the high school portion of this program presents the possibility of advanced standing for entry into specific college programs. For more information, visit www.starkcountytechprep.org.

A brief description of the institution's scholarships for low-income students:
Summer Bridge Scholarships: Summer Bridge will provide an opportunity for graduating UBMS students to take two college courses at SSC the summer after high school to increase their successful transition into postsecondary education.

A brief description of the institution’s programs to guide parents of low-income students through the higher education experience:
College Goal Sunday, 1 Day help with FAFSA: The free event, presented by the Ohio Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, assists students and parents with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Website: http://www.starkstate.edu/content/stark-state-will-host-college-goal-sunday-february-8

A brief description of the institution’s targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:
Men of Honor, African-American Male College Access & Success Day: A one-day conference for African-American males in pursuit of academic success. Targeted to males in high school and those currently enrolled at Stark State College, workshops, a community panel and keynote speaker are used to empower and support students to overcome barriers and continue to reach their academic and professional goals. Full STEM Ahead, Science Conference for Girls: The one-day conference is designed for girls in grades 6-12 who have an interest in science, technology, engineering and math. The purpose is to harness that interest and explore the academic and professional opportunities available to them by pursuing STEM majors in College. Specifically, the day exposes girls to professional mentoring and fun, hands-on activities that will further ignite their passion for STEM.

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

A brief description of the institution’s other financial aid polices or programs:
FEDERAL AND STATE AID PROGRAMS The following programs are grants and do not require repayment: Federal Pell Grant (PELL): The Federal Pell Grant is the largest federal grant program and is made available to students who demonstrate financial need. Grants range from $400 to $5350 per year and are awarded to both full-time and part-time students, based upon financial need. Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG: Pell Grant-eligible students who completed a rigorous high school program of study after January 1, 2005 and are enrolled full-time are eligible. First year award is $750; second year award is $1300. Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): According to federal regulations, students must be Pell-eligible to receive FSEOG funds. Funds are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis, so students should apply early to be considered for these monies. Award amounts vary up to $400 per year. Federal Work Study Program (FWSP): The Federal Work Study Program (FWSP) allows students to be employed at the College to earn money for educational expenses. Awards are based on financial need and student request. Military Grants: Branches of the U.S. military offer various financial aid opportunities. Veteran’s Educational Benefits: Stark State College is fully accredited under the laws that provide educational benefits for veterans. The Academic Records/Registrar’s Office certifies veterans’ eligibility. Scholarships: Stark State College offers a wide variety of scholarship opportunities for qualified students. Other Sources Of Aid Stark State College works closely with many local agencies to assist students in securing funds for college including the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR), the Workforce Initiative Association (WIA) and the Trade Adjustment Act (TAA). Additional information is available through the individual agency, on the Web or in the Financial Aid Office. LOANS Federal Stafford Student Loan Subsidized Stafford Loans Unsubsidized Stafford Loans Additional information about financial aid is available at www.starkstate.edu/finaid.

A brief description of the institution’s other policies and programs not covered above:
na

The website URL where information about programs in each of the areas listed above is available:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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