State University of New York at Fredonia
PAE-10: Affordability and Access Programs

The Upward Bound Program at SUNY Fredonia was established in 1989. Since its inception, it has been successfully funded during each grant competition cycle. Most recently the program received approval for the 2007 to 2011 grant cycle. The program at SUNY Fredonia is only one of 940 funded programs across the nation.Since the Upward Bound Program began at SUNY Fredonia, it has and continues to provide help to students in overcoming class, social and cultural barriers to higher education. http://www.fredonia.edu/upwardbound/ Fredonia offers students that fall below our general admissions criteria the opportunity to attend through our Full Opportunity Program (FOP). The Admissions Office makes an effort to identify and recruit students from underrepresented groups, students with talents in the fine arts and athletics, and students who have participated extensively in school and community affairs. Many of these students are admitted to SUNY Fredonia under the Full Opportunity Program. SUNY Fredonia’s Educational Development Program (EDP) provides economically disadvantaged and academically underprepared students the opportunity to attend college. EDP is an academic support services program for underprepared and financially disadvantaged students. Students benefit from advising and financial support services as participants in this program.

Institutional financial aid awarding practices are governed by awarding the best sources of financial aid (grants and work) to those students with the highest need who file their annual FASFA on a timely basis.

SUNY Fredonia’s Educational Development Program (EDP) provides economically disadvantaged and academically underprepared students the opportunity to attend college. EDP is an academic support services program for underprepared and financially disadvantaged students. Participants in this program benefit from financial support services, academic advising, supplemental instruction, counseling, peer mentoring, and tutoring. These services are designed to enhance academic achievement, assist in meeting the cost of education, and provide guidance and direction in the development of social, interpersonal, and career skills to students from low-income backgrounds. http://www.fredonia.edu/edp/

The majority of institutional scholarships that are awarded are based on academic merit and leadership, community service, etc. related involvement. There are limited institutional scholarships that are need-based (The FSA Emergency Grant and The Foundation Grant are examples of two need-based institutional scholarships) and priority is given to those candidates with the highest need. There are additional departmental-based scholarships across majors that are awarded based on analysis of a student’s FAFSA determined EFC.

The Financial Aid Office does extensive “financial literacy” related programming and outreach throughout the academic year to our current students and into Summer Orientation for both our newly “admitted/paid” freshman and transfer students. Our website is a comprehensive information portal that walks our students and prospects through the federal, state and institutional financial aid delivery process. In addition, we are one of the few institutions across the country that distribute an annual (28) page Financial Literacy Guide publication to both new and returning students that covers a wide variety of topics tied to the FAFSA application process, scholarship opportunities, debt management, identity theft, etc.

SUNY Fredonia employs a full-time minority recruiter ( Admissions Counselor). This admissions professional recruits throughout New York State’s urban centers and focuses her efforts on low-income, first generation, or underserved populations. She is also our liaison for our Educational Development Program. Part of her responsibilities include working closely with our Office of Multicultural Affairs to coordinate various recruitment initiatives throughout the year. Some of those programs include Multi-Cultural Weekend where we bus 50 students from New York City, Buffalo and other urban centers to campus to spend the weekend shadowing a current student. Our LEAP 2 Success program outreaches to Hispanic and Latino students from Dunkirk, NY as early as middle school and discusses the importance of maintaining good grades and introduces them to the college admissions process. The Office of Admissions also developed a view book in Spanish for the families of Hispanic students. Efforts are underway to convert our web site to Spanish as well. The Office of Admissions also hosts a Diversity Celebration each fall that brings minority students from Western New York high schools to campus to celebrate SUNY Fredonia’s diversity.

SUNY Fredonia’s Educational Development Program (EDP) provides economically disadvantaged and academically underprepared students the opportunity to attend college. EDP is an academic support services program for underprepared and financially disadvantaged students. Students benefit from advising and financial support services as participants in this program. Fredonia also offers students that fall below our general admissions criteria the opportunity to attend through our Full Opportunity Program (FOP). The Admissions Office makes an effort to identify and recruit students from underrepresented groups, students with talents in the fine arts and athletics, and students who have participated extensively in school and community affairs. Many of these students are admitted to SUNY Fredonia under the Full Opportunity Program. Once at Fredonia, FOP members can take advantage of academic support services provided through the Learning Center. In addition to drop-in tutoring, FOP students can opt for one-on-one assigned tutoring in a subject. Seats in English Composition (ENGL100), Introduction to Psychology (PSY129) and Freshman Seminar are guaranteed for first semester FOP students. Members also receive weekly electronic newsletters detailing important academic news and deadlines and social and cultural events happening on campus. Staff members offer help with course selection and registration, mentoring, and advisement to Full Opportunity Program participants. http://www.fredonia.edu/edp/ http://www.fredonia.edu/tlc/fop/ http://www.fredonia.edu/finaid/