Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 26.10
Liaison Rachael Budowle
Submission Date April 29, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Wyoming
PA-7: Affordability and Access

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.26 / 4.00 Rachael Budowle
Campus Sustainability Committee Chair
Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have policies and programs to make it accessible and affordable to low-income students?:
Yes

A brief description of any policies and programs to minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students:
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A brief description of any programs to equip the institution’s faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:
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A brief description of the institution’s programs to guide and prepare students and families from low-income backgrounds for higher education:

Student Educational Opportunity (SEO) is a unique department within Academic Affairs hosting both campus-based programs and statewide outreach projects. The common purpose that unites the programs is service to special student populations who aspire to enter and succeed in college, such as students who are or are from:
-Economically disadvantaged
-Ethnic Minorities
-Veterans
-First-generation college students
-Students with disabilities
-Underrepresented populations
SEO helps eligible students access educational opportunities and achieve academic success. SEO is composed of numerous projects, many of them funded by federal grants, and all working to provide services that promote access to higher education in Wyoming.

Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) is a federally funded, statewide grant in Wyoming that provides services to 2,000 7th-12th grade, income-eligible students each year. The goal of GEAR UP is to increase the number of eligible students who are prepared to enter and succeed in post-secondary education by:
-providing academic support, college preparation, and family services through GEAR UP offices located in each of the seven community colleges in Wyoming.
-providing educator training and school improvement initiatives.
GEAR UP Wyoming is funded through a grand from the U.S. Department of Education totaling $3,430,000 annually with an additional $3,430,000 annually provided by in-kind and scholarship contributions.


A brief description of the institution's scholarships for low-income students:

Hathaway Scholarships
The State of Wyoming has established a generous scholarship program, in the name of former Wyoming Governor Stan Hathaway, that rewards eligible Wyoming students with scholarship money to attend the University of Wyoming or a Wyoming community college. The program provides merit- and need-based awards to eligible students.

Students qualifying for the merit portion of Hathaway Scholarships who have completed and supplied the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), may qualify for additional need-based Hathaway Scholarship monies. “Unmet need” is calculated in the following way:
UW Cost of Attendance
Less: Estimated Family Contribution (determined by FAFSA)
Less: Hathaway Scholarship merit award per year
Less: Grants and Scholarships awarded to student
Less: $2,000
= Unmet Need
Qualifying students will receive a percentage of this unmet need based on their eligible scholarship level.

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant
This is a grant for undergraduates with exceptional need, that is, the students with the lowest Expected Family Contribution who are also eligible for a Federal Pell Grant. By federal law, students may receive up to $4,000 a year depending on eligibility and funding level, although at UW $2,000 is normally the highest SEOG grant.


A brief description of the institution’s targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:
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A brief description of the institution’s other policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
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Does the institution have policies and programs to support non-traditional students?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s scholarships provided specifically for part-time students:
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A brief description of the institution’s on-site child care facility, partnership with a local facility, and/or subsidies or financial support to help meet the child care needs of students:

University of Wyoming Early Care and Education Center
The UW Early Care and Education Center is a state of the art facility serving families of the University of Wyoming as well as the Laramie community. Administered by the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, it is also works in partnership with the College of Education.


A brief description of the institution’s other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:

Nontraditional Student Center
The Nontraditional Student Center is a multi-purpose space housing a student computer lab; a full-size refrigerator for quick lunches and commuter student use; a microwave and coffee pot; and a student work table. In addition, there is a reference library for student use and a brochure holder with child care, health, and other resources for adult learners. A community feeling or "home away from home" is a goal of the center. Programs are sponsored throughout the year to help adult learners build their skill set such as using technology, time management, financial aid and scholarships, career and job and internship offerings; family issues, etc.

Non-Traditional Student Council
The NTSC is an organization of students who advocate for the non-traditional student community of the University of Wyoming by identifying concerns, increasing awareness, and providing a collective voice to have an active role in the success of non-traditional student of the University of Wyoming.

Osher Foundation Reentry Scholarship
The Bernard Osher Foundation recently awarded $1 million to the University of Wyoming to establish an endowment to support scholarships for nontraditional students re-entering the university. The grant permanently establishes the Osher Re-entry Scholarship Program and follows the foundation’s two-year expendable award of $50,000 per year that, to date, has supported a total of 36 students. The program provides scholarship support for students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree after a significant break in their studies.

UW also provides a McNair Scholars program for traditionally underrepresented students.


Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 of this credit (tracking accessibility and affordability)? (If data is not available, select 'No'):
Yes

The percentage of entering students that are low-income (0-100):
20.22

The graduation/success rate for low-income students (0-100):
45.40

On average, the percentage of need that was met for students who were awarded any need-based aid (e.g. as reported to the U.S. Common Data Set initiative, item H2) (0-100):
60.20

The percentage of students graduating with no interest-bearing student loan debt or for whom no out-of-pocket tuition is required (i.e. the percentage of graduates who have not taken out interest-bearing loans) (0-100):
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Estimated percentage of students that participate in or directly benefit from the institution’s policies and programs to support low-income and non-traditional students (0-100):
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

Information taken from "Fall 2011 Cohort" as recorded in UW's 2018-19 Common Data Set.
http://www.uwyo.edu/oia/cds/


Information taken from "Fall 2011 Cohort" as recorded in UW's 2018-19 Common Data Set.
http://www.uwyo.edu/oia/cds/

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.