Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 70.15
Liaison Kelly Wellman
Submission Date Dec. 19, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Texas A&M University
PA-7: Affordability and Access

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.28 / 4.00 Jennifer Reyes
Director
Vice President & Associate Provost for Diversity
"---" 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:

We have a number of programs that seek to assist students from low SES, including, but not limited to: Kids to College, Aggie Summer Institute, Regent's Scholarship, College Bound Sunday, ISD and High School Scholarship, Community Connections Scholarship, and Aggie Assurance. These programs are designed to teach low SES students what college path is best for them, which types of financial aid are available to them, how to write applications for financial aid, and to provide financial incentives for low SES students.

• The College of Liberal Arts is offering 100% need-based scholarships to undergraduate
students to support students from lower income groups who would like to attend college.
We see this as an equity effort that provides educational access to low-income students.
• Texas A&M at Galveston (TAMUG) completed a study of student debt for TAMUG
graduates (N= 1,429) from the past five years (2010-2015).
• Student Business Services, in the Division of Academic Affairs, began offering a series of
Financial Literacy classes to help students understand the psychology of money and to offer
long-term insight into financial decisions that can be made today to assist in obtaining future
goals.
• The College of Science includes graduate students as members of departmental committees
such as graduate admissions and programs committees. Student office space is evaluated to
make sure there are no unintentional inequities. Graduate student leadership organizations in
each department are provided funding for their activities. Biology added a student
representative to monthly faculty meetings. Finally, in findings from campus climate
research, graduate students reported high stress related to finances and a desire for
professional/leadership development. All PhD students in the college receive a monthly
stipend.


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

Texas A&M provides wide variety of programs across the university, in several different formats, to equip faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds. For example, Human Resources provides training on interpersonal communication skills and cultural competence (https://training.tamu.edu/courses/). Texas A&M’s Human Resources and Organization Effectiveness (HROE) has developed behavioral indicators for diversity and respect competencies.

The Office for Diversity provides lectures and seminars on topics about social justice, equity, and campus climate. http://diversity.tamu.edu/Enhancing-Diversity-Seminars


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

There are several programs which seek to prepare students from low SES backgrounds for higher education, such as: Kids to College, MEDALS, and ExCEL. In these programs, we strive to assist students in finding the right college programs for their needs, as well as how to accomplish their goals with a college education. In addition, these programs help students in acquiring financial aid for their goals, teach the value of a college education, and motivate and support students as they transition into college.


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

We have several scholarships that target low-income students such as the Regent's Scholarship, Community Connections Scholarship, Century Scholars. These scholarships are designed to supplement and financially assist students during their four years in college. Each scholarship provides funding between $1000 and $5000 per year for students from low SES backgrounds.


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

Several colleges within the university offer outreach to recruit students from low SES backgrounds. The College of Education, the College of Engineering, the College of Science, and the College of Veterinary Medicine offer the ExpLORE, E12, and GK 12 programs respectively. These programs target low SES as well as underrepresented students in order to promote interest and enrollment for these groups.


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

The Continuing Student Academic Excellence Award application is available to students with at least one semester completed at Texas A&M. Awards range in value from $500 to $1,500 and are available to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students currently enrolled at Texas A&M. Some awards are limited to certain fields of study and to individuals who have attained a necessary academic classification, while others are unrestricted. Awards are made to outstanding students based on a combination of academic achievement, campus/community involvement, campus leadership roles, and, for some scholarships, financial need. In addition to scholarships offered through the Scholarships & Financial Aid office, many colleges, departments, the Corps of Cadets, and the Texas A&M Foundation use the Continuing Student Academic Excellence application for award consideration. Students are encouraged to complete the Continuing Student Scholarship Application, beginning in October via the scholarships website. The deadline for submitting applications is February 1, prior to the academic year for which the student will be awarded.

A student who is awarded a competitive university scholarship of at least $1,000 for the academic year or summer for which the student is enrolled and who is either a nonresident or a citizen of a country other than the United States of America may be entitled to pay the fees and charges required of Texas residents without regard to the length of time the student has resided in Texas. This scholarship must be awarded by a scholarship committee officially recognized by the Texas A&M University administration, and each waiver must be approved. For applicable recipients, selective service registration is required.


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:

The Educational Release Time Program enables eligible employees who are registered as students to attend classes, with appropriate approval, during their regularly scheduled workday. This program provides employees with more flexibility to further their growth and advancement, enhance their involvement in the life of the University, and to further their education to become a more productive and knowledgeable workforce.

Texas A&M University Staff and Faculty who are located in College Station and who are budgeted for at least 50% effort (including those with joint appointments) are exempt from paying:

student center complex fee
recreational sports fee
health center fee
All military personnel assigned to full-time Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) duty in the military science department at Texas A&M University, who enroll as students will be granted the same exemption as is granted to the full-time employees (System regulation 26.01.2.1). This exemption does not include civilian personnel in the ROTC.

Staff and Faculty who choose to claim this exemption forego the privilege of using the services provided by these fees, and may not choose to pay for specific services at student rates.


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:

http://studentlife.tamu.edu/agoss.adultnontradresources

Campus Based Family Housing

The Gardens apartments are designed with married students, students with dependent children, and students who are U.S. Military veterans in mind.

Family Friendly Events in B/CS

Searching for something fun to do with the whole family? Check out these family friendly upcoming events.

Searching for Childcare

Texas A&M University and the Bryan/College Station community have several options open to parents in need of childcare services. This page connects student parents with childcare options including parent’s night out, the Becky Gates Children’s Center, and community childcare listings


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

Adult and Non-Traditional Student Services

Texas A&M is home to over 7,000 non-traditional students; our non-trads broaden the diversity of opinions and experiences both inside and outside the classroom. We define a non-traditional student as anyone:
•over the age of 25
•married or partnered
•having dependents
•who served in a branch of the Armed Forces
•who is financially independent
•who works full-time
•who is enrolled part-time

The Office of Adult, Graduate and Off Campus Student Services provides support, resources, and programming for our non-traditional students. We also welcome our non-trads to campus by hosting a non-traditional student session at each Transfer New Student Conference. Please view our programs, publications and resources pages to find more information relevant to non-traditional students; if you have any additional questions, feel free to contact our office at 979-845-1741

Pinnacle National Honor Society is a national honor society that recognizes non-traditional students for their academic and co-curricular accomplishments. Texas A&M University has been a chartered institutional member since 1995. Adult, Graduate and Off Campus Student Services accepts applications and nominations for the spring class of Pinnacle each January.

Non-Traditional Student Listserv

The Non Traditional Student Listerv is a great way to connect with other non traditional students. AGOSS sends out bi-monthly e-newsletters with information for non traditional students and occasional e-mails about events for non traditional students. Subscribe to the listserv.

Aggies With Kids

Are you a parent and a student? Do you feel disconnected from other students because of your life experiences? The Aggies with Kids listserv provides an outlet to help student parents connect with others. You can post questions, share advice and visit with other parent students. Join today and get connected! Subscribe to the listserv.

Non-Traditional Student Facebook Group

We invite all non-traditional students to join the Texas A&M Non-Traditional Student Facebook group. This group is updated regularly by AGOSS to ensure that students know about upcoming events, programs and information relevant to non-traditional students. The group also allows non-traditional students to connect with one another and find other students with similar experiences. Join the group!

Campus Based Family Housing

The Gardens apartments are designed with married students, students with dependent children, and students who are U.S. Military veterans in mind.

Family Friendly Events in B/CS

Searching for something fun to do with the whole family? Check out these family friendly upcoming events.

Searching for Childcare

Texas A&M University and the Bryan/College Station community have several options open to parents in need of childcare services. This page connects student parents with childcare options including parent’s night out, the Becky Gates Children’s Center, and community childcare listings.

Restaurant Discounts

Looking for a cheap place to eat around town? This document lists some of the restaurants that offer military and student discounts.


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):
21

The graduation/success rate for low-income students (0-100):
74

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):
72

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):
61

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):
27

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.