| Overall Rating | Bronze - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 43.88 |
| Liaison | Matt Wolsfeld |
| Submission Date | Jan. 30, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Saskatchewan
PA-8: Affordability and Access
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 4.00 |
Margret
Asmuss Sustainability coordinator The 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 any policies and programs to minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students:
The university’s students have access to federal and provincial student aid programs, which include grants for students from low-income families. These loan and grant programs are needs-based. Students with permanent disabilities are eligible for additional financial assistance for education-related costs.
Many scholarships and bursaries are available to U of S students, some of which consider financial need.
A variety of employment opportunities exist for students on campus, including positions as research assistants and teaching assistants.
Aboriginal students have access to scholarships, bursaries, awards, emergency loans and band funding through the Aboriginal Students’ Centre.
As a publicly funded institution the university’s tuition rates are affordable taking into account the sources of assistance mentioned above.
A brief description of any programs to equip the institution’s faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:
Our faculty, administrative, advising and counseling staff who frequently see students who demonstrate financial need are informed by regular communication of the existence of bursaries, on-campus work opportunities and emergency loans for students in distress.
A brief description of any programs to prepare students from low-income backgrounds for higher education:
Our recruitment, admissions and awards staff provide workshops to high school students on applying for admission to university, the cost of attendance, options for financing including government student loans, and applying for student awards. The university's website also provides budget planning and other "money matters" information.
A brief description of the institution's scholarships for low-income students:
The University of Saskatchewan offers a wide variety of institution-funded and donor-funded awards to students with financial need in all program years. These awards are offered both at the university-wide and the college or program level.
A brief description of any programs to guide parents of low-income students through the higher education experience:
Our recruitment, admissions and awards staff provide workshops to parents of high school students on applying for admission to university, the cost of attendance, options for financing including government student loans, and applying for student awards. The university's website also provides budget planning and other "money matters" information.
A brief description of any targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:
Recruitment staff travel to First Nations communities in remote areas of the province to provide Aboriginal students with specific and culturally sensitive information. Aboriginal students are among those with the lowest family incomes. Recruiters also visit high schools that serve students from a wide variety of income levels.
A brief description of other admissions policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
Students are admitted into undergraduate programs as "direct from high school", conditionally after Grade 11 and finally after Grade 12; as "mature students" or "special admission" after several years post-high school; and into graduate programs according to academic potential. All admissions are need-blind and are based solely on academic merit.
A brief description of other financial aid policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
Students who experience financial crises that cannot be anticipated or planned for (e.g. a death in the family requiring travel, a robbery) may qualify for emergency student loan aid.
A brief description of other policies and programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students not covered above:
Does the institution have policies and programs in place to support non-traditional students?:
A brief description of any scholarships provided specifically for part-time students:
Many U of S scholarships, awards and bursaries are accessible to both full-time and part-time students. These can be accessed through:
http://students.usask.ca/money/scholarships.php?award=301667CB01
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:
There are currently two daycares on the University of Saskatchewan campus.
Campus Daycare provides daycare for children of campus students, staff and faculty. It has spaces for 45 children. The daycare incorporates some teaching into the program, offering music Mondays (provided through the College of Education), swimming lessons, campus outings, and skating during the winter at the Rutherford Arena. The operation is managed by a parent–run board although its space in the Education Building is provided by the university for a nominal rent that includes janitorial services.
The USSU (Students' Union) Childcare Centre operates independently as an affiliated organization with a separate Board of Directors. It is government subsidized and licensed for 66 children aged six months to six years and exists primarily to serve the needs of undergraduate students. The daycare is within walking distance to the University and conveniently located on a bus route.
The University of Saskatchewan is currently investigating opportunities to expand childcare spaces on campus.
A brief description of other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:
Special (Mature) Admission is available to applicants who do not qualify for Regular Admission. All direct-entry colleges except the College of Education consider applicants under Special (Mature) Admission.
The University Learning Centre provides help and advice to mature students.
http://www.usask.ca/ulc/newstudent/mature
Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 of this credit (accessibility and affordability indicators)?:
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:
The website URL where information about the institution's affordability and access programs is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.