Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 66.59
Liaison Chris Bond
Submission Date Oct. 30, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Unity Environmental University
PA-8: Affordability and Access

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.50 / 4.00 Steve Kahl
Director of Sustainability
Sustainability
"---" 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 any policies and programs to minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students:

90% of Unity College students receive financial aid. We attract and enroll many first-generation college students, the greatest number of which come from Maine. Various financial aid packages and incentives focus on supporting Maine students and students of limited means. These aid packages and related discount rate often make costs for a Unity College education comparable to that of state public institutions.


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

We have an ongoing relationship with National Endowment for Financial Education since 2008 that provides financial literacy to faculty and staff on assisting low income students.


A brief description of any programs to prepare students from low-income backgrounds for higher education:

The school offers significant Learning Resource Center and Counseling Center services to support all of our students. These services are frequently directed to support under-prepared students from low-income backgrounds. The financial aid office also provides guidance for scholarship opportunities


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

All Maine residents are eligible for the Unity Access Scholarship for Maine Residents based on their financial aid application.

Most Unity College scholarships are merit based.

http://www.unity.edu/Admissions/Financing/FinAid/EnteringScholarships.aspx


A brief description of any programs to guide parents of low-income students through the higher education experience:

Parents and incoming students receive resource lists for financing education in their financial aid packages. New Student Orientation, visiting day programs, and communications from the Student Affairs office include appropriate information sessions and materials for parents regarding a successful college experience for their students.


A brief description of any targeted outreach to recruit 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:
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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 do not screen applicants for need, so this need-blind policy is supportive of enrolling low income students.


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?:
No

A brief description of any scholarships provided specifically for part-time students:
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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:
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A brief description of other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:

We have the Osher Foundation Scholarships specifically for non-traditional students. We provide scholarships to students who already have BA degrees, unlike many institutions. Also, the VA yellow ribbon program supports typically non-traditional students.


Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 of this credit (accessibility and affordability indicators)?:
No

Indicators that the institution is accessible and affordable to low-income students::
Percentage (0-100)
The percentage of entering students that are low-income ---
The graduation/success rate for low-income students ---
The percentage of student financial need met, on average ---
The percentage of students graduating with no interest-bearing student loan debt ---

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:
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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.