University of Massachusetts Amherst
PAE-10: Affordability and Access Programs

Reestablishing TRIO programs on the UMass campus is a Chancellor's priority. In accordance with our formal partnership with the City of Springfield, our TRIO programs would specifically work with the Springfield Public Schools. In December 2010, UMass submitted a 60 page proposal for an Educational Talent Search grant. We are presently working to develop proposals to reestablish an Upward Bound program and to create Upward Bound Math & Science and Veteran's Upward Bound programs. The Upward Bound proposals will be followed by Student Support Services (SSS) and McNair applications.

The cost of attendance is based on enrollment, residency and housing, however, the campus has institutionally funded need based aid programs to assist students in covering educationally related costs.

The campus has institutionally funded need based aid to assist low income student in paying for educational expenses. In addition, the campus participates in Federal Title IV and State financial aid programs.

The admissions office regularly visits high schools in major urban areas throughout New England, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, California, Texas and select cities across the country. These visits include meeting with students and their parents, and school counselors at individual high schools and college fairs. For the fall 2010 travel season, UMass Amherst freshman admissions staff participated in 1228 various admissions related events including college fairs, high school visits, and off-campus receptions. In particular, we visit most high schools in the state of Massachusetts, specifically in the cities of Boston, Lowell, Worcester, Springfield, Lawrence, and Holyoke, where many low-income students attend high school. Additionally, the Visitor’s Center hosts over 2,000 students each year that are participants in college preparatory programs such as Talent Search, Upward Bound, and Gear Up. These programs are typically for students from low-income families.

The Admissions Office also has extensive contacts with the Community Colleges in the Commonwealth. The Community College Compact (CCC) was introduced to expand and reinforce access to university through the existing Joint Admissions Program and the Mass Transfer Program. Community college graduates are guaranteed admission if they meet certain criteria. The CCC also provide priority review of their application, transfer credit, financial aid consideration and access to certain housing and registration options. Throughout the admissions process, the university seeks to recruit and enroll students that will support the University’s mission: “The University's mission is to provide an affordable and accessible education of high quality and to conduct programs of research and public service that advance knowledge and improve the lives of the people of the Commonwealth, the nation, and the world”.

Community College students accepted as a Joint Admissions or MassTransfer graduate with a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA, are eligible for the Tuition Advantage Program. This provides a 33% tuition waiver from the state of Massachusetts, and additionally UMass Amherst will waive the remaining 67% of in-state tuition, resulting in a full tuition waiver if the student meets the following requirements: Attend UMass Amherst no later than one year after graduation Enroll at UMass Amherst continuously until graduation Maintain a 3.0 or higher UMass Amherst GPA after enrollment Benefits are for up to two years for full-time students and may be adjusted to a longer period for part-time students.

http://www.umass.edu/umccc/