University of California, Merced
PAE-10: Affordability and Access Programs

Through its Center for Educational Partnerships, UC Merced participates in Upward Bound, which provides support to participants in their preparation for entrance to college. UC Merced partners with area high schools (summer of 2012 will be Hoover and McLane High Schools in Fresno) to implement a series of academic enrichment activities focused on language arts, mathematics, foreign language, history, and science for incoming 10th, 11th, and 12th graders.

The UC Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan covers educational and student services fees for California residents whose family earns less than $80,000 a year and who qualify for financial aid. Access Grants are designed to provide enough gift aid to cover annual fee increases for students who meet relevant income guidelines but who do not qualify for the Blue and Gold Opportunity Program. Golden Bobcat Grants and Scholarships are available for eligible undergraduate students with funding provided by the Regents of the University of California and the State of California. Award amounts are determined based on family income and financial need.

Since 2010, UCM’s Center for Research on Teaching Excellence (CRTE) and Merritt Writing Program have sponsored a working group called the Freshman Year Experience Faculty. We focus on developing and providing professional development support to instructors teaching lower-division courses. Our group focuses on the needs of our diverse demographic, including low-income factors. fyefaculty.ucmerced.edu

UC Merced participates in the UC Scholars EAOP Program which provides students with ongoing academic advising to ensure they successfully complete the required college preparatory courses. UC Scholars EAOP students and their families receive the necessary information and motivation to prepare for a postsecondary education, including assistance in the application and financial aid processes. The program serves 2,156 first-generation, low-income students throughout the Central Valley. These students are identified by school personnel at each UC Scholars EAOP partner school.

The UC Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan covers educational and student services fees for California residents whose family earns less than $80,000 a year and who qualify for financial aid. Access Grants are designed to provide enough gift aid to cover annual fee increases for students who meet relevant income guidelines but who do not qualify for the Blue and Gold Opportunity Program. Golden Bobcat Grants and Scholarships are available for eligible undergraduate students with funding provided by the Regents of the University of California and the State of California. Award amounts are determined based on family income and financial need.

UCM’s Parent Empowerment Program (PEP) was established in 2004 through a grant from the California Student Aid Commission and EdFund. In March, 2012, the program received $33,00 to continue and expand the program into other areas of need. The program involves parental interventions based on an eight-session curriculum focusing on higher-education matters. Since 2004, the Parent Empowerment Program has served 1,349 parents at 17 schools. As part of this curriculum, 985 parents have also participated in campus visits to 19 colleges/universities. These interventions serve families who do not fully support their students’ desires to enroll at a postsecondary institution because of deeply rooted cultural values.

UCM’s Center for Educational Partnerships received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education to implement the Talent Search Program at Delhi, LeGrand, Orestimba, El Diamante, Strathmore and Corcoran High Schools. The Talent Search serves 600 total students from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds that have the potential to succeed in higher education. The program provides academic, career and financial counseling to its participants and encourages them to graduate from high school and continue on to the postsecondary school of their choice.

UCM’s Center for Educational Partnerships coordinates the Transfer Scholars Program which seeks to empower high school students who are community-college bound on aspects related to transferring from a community college to a four-year college/university. The program works with students while they are in high school by separating community college and four-year college/university bound students soon after the traditional Nov. 30 application deadline for most colleges and universities. Each student participant receives an electronic Individual Academic Plan (IAP) highlighting community college courses that must be completed in order to transfer to a four-year college/university. Activities such as campus visits and workshops are also offered through this program.

The University of California, Merced administers a large number of scholarship funds designed to benefit undergraduate students. These scholarships are provided through the generosity of UC alumni; friends of UC Merced; corporations, businesses, professional associations; and the University itself. All new students must have at least a 3.25 GPA and all continuing students must have at least a 3.0 GPA to be considered for scholarships.

The P-20 Regional Alliance Program was established in 2003. The program partners with intersegmental entities to address issues affecting student achievement on a regional, rather than school, level. This work encompasses the counties of Tulare, Kings, Fresno, Madera, Merced and Stanislaus (counties near UC Merced that have traditionally had lower than average college-going rates compared to the rest of the state of California. As one of the lead agencies bringing together P-20 partners to establish regional alliances, UC Merced was instrumental in receiving commitment from the newly formed Alliance for Regional Alliances to Heighten Educational Success (ARCHES) to hold the first Central Valley P-16 Conference.