Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 36.77
Liaison Ashley Woolman
Submission Date Feb. 16, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Western Colorado University
PA-8: Affordability and Access

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 4.00 John Kawauchi
Vice President of Marketing & Institutional Advancement
Marketing & Institutional Advancement
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have policies and programs in place 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:
State-mandated institutional grant aid; state and federal aid is all "ear marked" as FAFSA outlines; Merit scholarships have increased in the past 5 years- higher dollar amounts have been offered to low-income students.

A brief description of any programs to equip the institution’s faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:
*see notes section

A brief description of any programs to prepare students from low-income backgrounds for higher education:
*see notes section kwalters@western.edu

A brief description of the institution's scholarships for low-income students:
Merit scholarship program is open to all students, need is not specifically considered. Has helped students of all income backgrounds, Grant funding is specifically for students in need.

A brief description of any programs to guide parents of low-income students through the higher education experience:
No specific outreach to community, but offer Financial Aid nights describing FAFSA process to help low-income students and their families as well as to make the community more aware of what is available to help them in the higher education process.

A brief description of any targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:
Due to our placement of recruiters, particularly in to Denver-Metro area, we have targeted and are making significant in-roads into underserved populations.

A brief description of other admissions policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
Because we have a low tuition, are already moderately-selective, and have diverse and robust support mechanisms once students are accepted, we do not have specific programs.

A brief description of other financial aid policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
n/a

A brief description of other policies and programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students not covered above:
n/a

Does the institution have policies and programs in place to support non-traditional students?:
Yes

A brief description of any scholarships provided specifically for part-time students:
(Sully Ramiro) No scholarships for part-time students as most are required for full-time students. Only federal Pell Grant is able for part-time students Growing Vets program. Currently piloting select courses at Delta Technical College and are looking into offering courses on military bases, as well as a satellite location in Colorado Springs.

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:
Limited- we have the ability to add it in to a student's budget for the year, tends to be presented in the form of a loan. Every student case is different, but there are allowances for child-care needs when applicable.

A brief description of other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:
See academics

Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 of this credit (accessibility and affordability indicators)?:
No

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.