| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 61.60 |
| Liaison | Mike Versteege |
| Submission Date | Feb. 3, 2012 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Alberta
PAE-10: Affordability and Access Programs
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
Lisa
Dockman Program Lead (Outreach & Engagement) Office of Sustainability |
Does the institution have policies and programs in place to make it accessible and affordable to low-income students?:
A brief description of the institution’s participation in federal TRIO programs:
Not applicable to Canadian Institutions.
A brief description of the institution’s policies and programs to minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students?:
ACCESS FUND
http://www.su.ualberta.ca/services/accessfund/
The Student Financial Resources Centre (SFRC) includes a variety of services on campus associated with supporting those from low-income backgrounds and/or with financial need, such as the Access Fund, a non-repayable financial assistance for undergraduate students at the University of Alberta. The Access Fund provides assistance to students who are either ineligible for student loans, have reached the maximum in their student loan amounts, or simply do not have access to sufficient funding. Established in 1995, the Access Fund exists to bridge the gap between public student financial assistance programs and legitimate financial hardship to enable undergraduate students to continue their education. Supported by mandatory undergraduate student contributions of $17.99 per student per term*, more than $800,000 was distributed to over 350 students in 2010/2011. This per student contribution will be $14.37 beginning in the 2011/12 year.
STUDENT FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION CENTRE
www.su.ualberta.ca/services/sfaic/
The Student Financial Aid Information Centre (SFAIC), a service of the Students’ Union, employs staff who have training and expertise in financial aid and loan programs. These staff act as a resource to all students by answering phone and drop-in questions about financial planning, loan options, and bursary programs. By having money management and access services in a centralized location for those in need, post-secondary education becomes more financially accessible. SFAIC also houses a database of campus award programs to provide accurate and up to date information to those interested. SFAIC was just recently given responsibility for the Students' Union Awards program which awards funds largely based on leadership and involvement. Half of the awards must given to a student in "financial need."
SFAIC hosts a series of workshops on financial planning and budgeting. These learning sessions help equip students and campus organizations with skill sets for developing fiscal responsibility. Workshops are hosted in conjunction with events such as New Student Orientation and leadership conferences; these learning opportunities are especially important to those from low-income backgrounds.
UAlberta participates in both provincial and federal student loan programs and provides services and support via SFAIC to make the application and dispersal process easier.
UNIVERSITY BURSARIES AND EMERGENCY FUNDING
http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/ubef/
University Bursaries and Emergency Funding (UBEF), a service of the University of Alberta, administers bursary programs and provides needs-based, zero-interest emergency student loans to undergraduate and graduate students. More than three million dollars in bursaries are administered through this office annually. Bursaries make more cost-prohibitive faculties, such as Medicine & Dentistry, more economically accessible. Emergency Student Loans provide interest free loans to students experiencing delays in funding or unexpected expenses.
CAMPUS FOOD BANK
http://www.campusfoodbank.com/
The Campus Food Bank (CFB) is a registered charity that distributes food items and toiletries to all members of the university community on a biweekly basis, making university life more economically accessible for many. The CFB is also a depot for the WECAN Food Basket Society, providing healthy and inexpensive food baskets to those who are interested.
In addition to the above programs, there are many faculty-specific bursaries and scholarships that are administered in a decentralized way, but in collaboration with the central financial supports. The Graduate Students Association (GSA) and the International Centre also operate unique bursary, emergency funding, and scholarship programs for their students.
* Students can choose to opt out of the program fee.
A brief description of the institution’s programs to equip the institution's faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:
Biannual resource fairs are hosted by the Students’ Union and the Office of the Dean of Students that specifically connect faculty and staff to all campus services. This includes education on financial supports and services available.
A brief description of the institution’s programs to prepare students from low-income backgrounds for higher education:
See the description of services and workshops provided for students by the Student Financial Aid Information Centre (SFAIC) as described above.
A brief description of the institution's scholarships for low-income students:
OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR
www.registrarsoffice.ualberta.ca/
Approximately 25 million dollars in undergraduate entrance awards are distributed annually through the Office of the Registrar. These scholarships are distributed to new students as part of the recruitment process with varying eligibility criteria. Certain scholarships focus on leadership competencies and academic excellence, while some are awarded based on financial need. In addition, specific scholarships focus on recruiting traditionally underrepresented groups such as rural and Aboriginal students.
A brief description of the institution’s programs to guide parents of low-income students through the higher education experience:
STUDENT FINANCIAL RESOURCES CENTRE
As mentioned previously, the Student Financial Resources Centre is open regular work hours year round and provides information services for students and parents.
CENTRE FOR STUDENT DEVELOPMENT PARENT ORIENTATION
www.su.ualberta.ca/services/orientation/parent/
Also, the Centre for Student Development (CSD), another service of the Students’ Union, hosts Parent Orientation every summer term to equip parents of incoming students with the knowledge they require for their children’s success. Financial workshops, hosted by SFAIC have regularly been a part of Parent Orientation. The CSD also hosts a Transition to the University program tailored to new students that also meet the needs of their parents through a parent-specific module.
A brief description of the institution’s targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:
U-SCHOOL
http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/senate//pdfs/U_School_booklet_lo_res_final.pdf
While the American TRIO program does not apply to Canadian institutions, the University of Alberta does have a program to prepare students from inner-city schools for higher education. U-School, an initiative of the University of Alberta Senate, provides hands-on, experiential learning with university professors, graduate and undergraduate students and staff acting as resources for the students. They present their fields of study and their research in an engaging and age-appropriate manner. U-School is designed to provide a range of new learning and discovery opportunities and to put the prospect of post-secondary education on the horizon for students and parents who may never have considered it.
A brief description of the institution’s other admissions policies and programs:
STUDENT REFUGEE PROGRAM
www.registrarsoffice.ualberta.ca
The Office of the Registrar also hosts a Student Refugee Program where one international refugee, chosen based on suggestions provided by the on-campus group World University Service Canada (WUSC), is provided with a full scholarship for the duration of their degree.
A brief description of the institution’s other financial aid polices or programs:
Not applicable.
A brief description of the institution’s other policies and programs not covered above:
Not applicable.
The website URL where information about programs in each of the areas listed above is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Responsible Party Information
STUDENT FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION CENTRE (SFAIC)
Name: Sirina Hamilton-McGregor
Department: Student’s Union
Position: SFAIC Manager
ACCESS FUND
Name: Sirina Hamilton-McGregor
Department: Student’s Union
Position:SFAIC Manager
OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR
Name: Michelle Bukmeier
Department: Office of the Registrar
Position: Supervisor, Student Awards
UNIVERSITY BURSARIES AND EMERGENCY FUNDING (UBEF)
Name: Shelley Mackay
Department: Student Financial Resources Centre
Position: Office Manager
Name: Rachel de Leon
Department: Student Financial Resources Centre
Position: Bursary Program Coordinator
Responsible Party Information
STUDENT FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION CENTRE (SFAIC)
Name: Sirina Hamilton-McGregor
Department: Student’s Union
Position: SFAIC Manager
ACCESS FUND
Name: Sirina Hamilton-McGregor
Department: Student’s Union
Position:SFAIC Manager
OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR
Name: Michelle Bukmeier
Department: Office of the Registrar
Position: Supervisor, Student Awards
UNIVERSITY BURSARIES AND EMERGENCY FUNDING (UBEF)
Name: Shelley Mackay
Department: Student Financial Resources Centre
Position: Office Manager
Name: Rachel de Leon
Department: Student Financial Resources Centre
Position: Bursary Program Coordinator
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.