| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 67.17 |
| Liaison | Hannah Rushing |
| Submission Date | Feb. 17, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Sterling College (VT)
PA-8: Affordability and Access
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.70 / 4.00 |
Tim
Patterson Director of Admission Admission |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
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Does the institution have policies and programs in place to make it accessible and affordable to low-income students?:
Yes
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A brief description of any policies and programs to minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students:
In 2014-15, we committed $2.3 million of institutional funds--36% of our overall budget--for financial aid. It is our single largest budget item. 98% of Sterling College's students receive some sort of financial aid, and our tuition and room and board is about 20% less than other private New England colleges. Additionally, because we are a federally-mandated Work College, students earn a minimum of $1650 toward their college costs.
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A brief description of any programs to equip the institution’s faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:
The Work Program allows faculty and staff to work with students from all backgrounds one-on-one, to create community together. The community needs the cooperation and the skills of everyone involved to prosper.
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A brief description of any programs to prepare students from low-income backgrounds for higher education:
Sterling College is small enough to allow greater one-on-one time with individual advisors. We also have a Dean of Community who is a resource for students of all backgrounds with issues with time management, study habits, and dealing with stress. Sterling College also has a half-time Learning Resource Coordinator; a Writing Center with writing tutors; and a math tutor as well.
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A brief description of the institution's scholarships for low-income students:
We award Sterling College Grants to students based on need, as determined by FAFSA and the Sterling College financial aid application. The average Sterling Grant for a student for the 2014-15 academic year is $18,400.
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A brief description of any programs to guide parents of low-income students through the higher education experience:
Sterling College puts a great emphasis on individualized contact with parents and families. Our Admission and Financial Aid offices work one-on-one with low-income families to guide them through being admitted, and then what to expect once their student is enrolled.
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A brief description of any targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:
The Admission Office does targeted outreach to students from low-income backgrounds by getting names from the College Board of students who have an interest in our majors and come from low-income families. We also do outreach to students from these backgrounds when we travel; and our affordability and that we're a Work College are messages we send to students from low-income backgrounds.
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A brief description of other admissions policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
Sterling works closely with students and families to plan an affordable path to graduation. We believe that access and hard work are linked and allows the college and its students to collaborate in keeping the costs of tuition, room, and board more reasonable than at other comparable institutions. We are need-blind with regard to admission.
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A brief description of other financial aid policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
We offer an extensive program of need-based financial aid.
None
A brief description of other policies and programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students not covered above:
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Does the institution have policies and programs in place to support non-traditional students?:
Yes
None
A brief description of any scholarships provided specifically for part-time students:
-
None
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:
We have a program on campus called Coyote Kids. Coyote Kids offers environmental stewardship activities and outdoor learning to children on the Sterling College campus.
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A brief description of other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:
We also reach out to veterans, and about 10% of our student population is made up of veterans.
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Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 of this credit (accessibility and affordability indicators)?:
Yes
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Indicators that the institution is accessible and affordable to low-income students::
| Percentage (0-100) | |
| The percentage of entering students that are low-income | 58 |
| The graduation/success rate for low-income students | 78 |
| The percentage of student financial need met, on average | 100 |
| The percentage of students graduating with no interest-bearing student loan debt | 34 |
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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:
58
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The website URL where information about the institution's affordability and access programs is available:
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.