University of Rochester
PA-8: Affordability and Access

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): FSEOG is a joint program between the federal government and the University to provide additional funding to those students whose families demonstrate the highest need. Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) Grants: HEOP is a joint program between New York State and the University to provide grant funding for admitted state residents coming from disadvantaged socioeconomic and educational backgrounds. Rochester National Grant: In addition to the federal and state grant programs, the University of Rochester commits significant funding to its own need-based grant program. Federal Perkins Loan: The Perkins loan program is a joint program between the federal government and the University designed to provide low-interest loans to assist students whose families demonstrate the highest need. Federal Work-Study Program: Federal Work Study is a joint program between the federal government and the University providing opportunities for students to work during the school year to earn money to help cover their educational expenses.

The University’s programs for equipping faculty and staff to better serve students from underrepresented and/or low-income backgrounds are not administered centrally, but located within each of the separate schools, (Arts, Sciences & Engineering; Eastman School of Music; Simon School of Business; Warner School of Education; and the Schools of Medicine & Dentistry, and Nursing). They focus primarily on the classroom and academic affairs, and are offered both by faculty and by professional staff to graduate teaching assistants, faculty, and student services staff

National Hispanic Institute/Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative Session (NHI/LDZ) Admissions is an active member in this national organization focused on building leadership and life skills in rising high school juniors and seniors, to develop dynamic and engaged Latino leaders for their local, regional, and national communities. http://www.nhi-net.org Focus on Rochester: Focus on Rochester brings together community members and University of Rochester staff and students to discuss how we might better partner on behalf of City youth, their success in completing high school, and in planning for their futures. http://enrollment.rochester.edu/admissions/connect/community/programs.shtm. Native American Summit: The Summit is a bridge building event between the University and local Native American community to share the ways that Uof R can be a resource for them and their students in helping to complete high school and plan for their futures. Hillside Work Scholarship Student Sponsorship: This partnership offers employment and support for an at-risk youth, to assist their effort to stay in school and graduate with the skills and confidence necessary to enter college.www.rochester.edu/news/printable.php?id=1836

Rochester Promise: The Rochester Promise programs offers a $25,000 tuition benefit annually to admitted Rochester City School District graduates (85% of district students fall within federal poverty parameters). www.rochester.edu/community.html Rochester Pledge: The Rochester Pledge program offers partial funding of tuition for veterans qualifying for the post 9-11 GI Bill. http://enrollment.rochester.edu/admissions/apply/veterans.shtm Kaerns Center Scholars The Kearns Center Scholars program currently supports undergraduates interested in pursuing baccalaureate degrees in arts, sciences and engineering. In addition to funding, students receive intensive academic advising, study groups, career mentoring, and other enrichment opportunities. Kearns Center/NSF Scholarships: With funding from the National Science Foundation administered through the David T. Kearns Center, the UR has provided scholarship support to 70 STEM scholars; 100% of whom are low-income or first–generation college students and 60% of whom are members of underrepresented minority groups.

Financing College Outreach: The Financial Aid Office holds information sessions and workshops for prospective students, their parents or guardians, secondary school officials, Community Based Organizations, and others leaders aim to increase access to higher education by explaining both financial barriers and planning strategies

College Prep Center at East High School: The Kearns Center Pre-College Programs and the UR Office of Enrollment, in collaboration with the Rochester City School District and East High School, sponsor a college preparatory center at East High. The center assists East High School to establish a college going culture by providing its students with college preparation and advisement. Staffed by professionals from the Kearns Center, the Office of Admissions, and the Office of Financial Aid, as well as college student volunteers, the College Prep Center is open during regular school hours, to assist students at East in navigating the college admissions and financial aid processes College Horizons: College Horizons is a college access program for Native American rising junior and senior high school students, the only college access program of its kind serving students nationwide. www.collegehorizons.org Pre-College Program Experience (PCPE): College Admissions holds information sessions and workshops open to potential applicants to any higher education institution, to learn about the college admissions process, financial aid, application essays, interviewing, career paths, etc. http://enrollment.rochetser.edu/admissions/precollege.shtm Soy Unica Soy Latina: Offered in partnership with Latinas Unidas, a community organization whose goal is to empower Latinas ages 7 to 18, Soy Unica Soy Latina brings young ladies and their parents to campus to attend workshops on healthy-living topics and meet with admissions and financial aid counselors to discuss college access, funding and preparatory programs. http://enrollment.rochester.edu/admissions/connect/community/programs.shtm

UR distinguishes between two types of financial assistance: support based on merit and support based on need. Merit-based assistance usually takes the form of scholarships, while need-based aid is typically awarded as grants, loans, work study, etc. The College of Arts, Sciences and Engineering awards all merit-based scholarships. The Financial Aid Office evaluates eligibility for need-based assistance and sends award notices. A financial aid offer from the University often includes both types of aid. Merit-based aid is automatically reapplied to financial packages each year; however, since family financial situations often change from year to year, need-based aid must be reapplied for each year. • Every application is individually reviewed so that factors such as assets, family size, and number in college are considered, in addition to the family income. • Merit-based aid is awarded regardless of a family's demonstrated financial need. • Like most private universities, the UR uses an Institutional Methodology (IM) to calculate an expected family contribution (EFC). This means the EFC at Rochester will be different from that provided by other sources, depending on each family's individual circumstances. • Students who complete all application materials on time and are admitted to the University will receive a financial aid award letter shortly after their notification of admission.

Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP): This program, run by the Office of Minority Student Affairs, serves students of diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds whose economic and educational circumstances may have inhibited them from considering attending the University of Rochester. Jointly sponsored by the University and the New York State Education Department since 1969, the HEOP office provides eligible students with a strong support network that includes academic advising, personal counseling and substantial financial assistance. The Early Connection Opportunity Program (ECO), run by the Office of Minority Student Affairs, and one of the student support services offered through the HEOP, this is a summer bridge program that gives students a head start on course work and the campus experience. Participants spend four weeks on campus the summer prior to their first year, engaged in college courses that provide an example of the rigor to be expected during the academic year. At Rochester, in an effort to increase the numbers of low-income students persisting in science, the experience is enhanced through a collaboration with the Kearns Center, which provides extra focus on the science and mathematics components of the program.

The Children's School at URMC is open from 6:30am-6pm Monday through Friday every week. This facility has programs for children ranging in age from 6 weeks to 6 years. Their main objects are to teach the children math, music, and phonic and reading.

Part-Time students are eligible for Federal Aid and University of Rochester employees are eligible for tuition benefits allowing them to take up to two courses per semester at no charge if it applies to their current position or receive an 80% discount if it does not directly apply.

http://www.rochester.edu/college/kearnscenter/ http://www.nhi-net.org http://enrollment.rochester.edu/admissions/connect/community/programs.shtm. www.rochester.edu/news/printable.php?id=1836 www.rochester.edu/community.html http://enrollment.rochester.edu/admissions/apply/veterans.shtm www.collegehorizons.org http://enrollment.rochetser.edu/admissions/precollege.shtm http://enrollment.rochester.edu/admissions/connect/community/programs.shtm Detailed numbers on low-income student indicators were not available at the time of submission.