Weber State University
PA-8: Affordability and Access

As mentioned in section 3, we have numerous outreach and support efforts to engage underrepresented students on campus. We are unique in that we also offer the Dream Weber Program for students who are unable to receive full funding from the Pell program. The Dream Weber program provides free tuition and general student fees to students whose annual household income is $40,000 or less by using a combination of federal and state financial aid and money given to the university from generous donors. The purpose of the Dream Weber Program is to help students complete a college degree — which will improve their earning potential throughout their lives. Weber State University has the lowest in-state tuition of Utah's 4-year institutions.

1) The Nontraditional Student Center is intended to assist nontraditional students (25 years or older, married/divorced/widowed, or a parent) in making a successful academic and social transition to Weber State University. The center is designed to support students' academic progress and social adjustment to the WSU environment by utilizing university departments, faculty and staff, programs, and student organizations to provide assistance and encouragement. It is our vision to provide a welcoming, friendly, and comfortable environment. Our goal is to create a center that helps all students feel recognized, valued, and completely connected to the larger Weber State University community as much as possible.

2) We offer pre-college access and outreach programs that include K-16 partnerships and encourage under-represented students who are traditionally non-college bound to pursue and successfully complete a post-secondary education that meets the mutual needs of the university, public school system and community.

Develop and implement strategies for better coordination and linkage of k-16 pipeline outreach and transition activity partners for underrepresented students.
Develop strategies for monitoring and assessing the effectiveness of educational outreach initiatives.
Facilitate networking and discussion among campus and community entirely involved in outreach.
Develop a sustainable funding stream; support programs and expectation.

3) To insure an equal educational opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) provides access to all university functions, activities, and programs. SSD insures Weber State University's compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable regulations and guidelines under state and federal law associated with access for individuals with disabilities. The scope of our services is limited primarily to program access and the rights of people with disabilities to an equal education. The program's responsibility for architectural access is limited to advising appropriate campus and state agencies regarding known and/or anticipated architectural barriers.
This department provides specialized services, technology, and advisement to meet the specific needs of each qualified disabled student. These services cover all generally acknowledged types of disabling conditions including certain cognitive and emotional problems (subject to documented verification) in addition to visual impairments, hearing impairments, and mobility impairments. Individualized service programs are designed specifically to fit each student's needs and abilities. SSD supports a strong philosophy of individual independence and self-determination.

SSD serves as a resource for both the campus and surrounding community. The staff is well versed on the ethical principles and established federal guidelines related to the rights and responsibilities of people with disabilities. Students as well as faculty and staff can request advisement from highly trained personnel about issues related to disabilities. We also provide a wide range of adaptive equipment and technology designed to assist people with disabilities. This equipment may be made available to the public on a limited basis.