| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 47.57 |
| Liaison | Keaton Schrank |
| Submission Date | June 9, 2011 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Westminster University - Utah
PAE-10: Affordability and Access Programs
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
Kerry
Case Environmental Director Environmental Center |
Does the institution have policies and programs in place to make it accessible and affordable to low-income students?:
A brief description of the institution’s participation in federal TRIO programs:
Westminster College actively supports and participates in the Ronald E. McNair program. This grant helps prepare first-generation, low-income college students for doctoral studies through faculty mentors, research experiences, and other scholarly studies.
A brief description of the institution’s policies and programs to minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students?:
Westminster College awards merit-based and need-based scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study to make a Westminster education affordable, even for those with limited financial resources. Westminster annually awards more than $40 million in financial aid to student based on family income as well as merit-based awards. Westminster also offers a free May Term and reduced priced summer classes for full time fall/spring term students.
A brief description of the institution’s programs to equip the institution's faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:
The Diversity Counsel supports low-income under-represented groups throughout their experience at Westminster College.
Faculty members working with the McNair program support those under-represented students from low-income backgrounds and helps guide those students with the process of getting a doctorate education.
A brief description of the institution’s programs to prepare students from low-income backgrounds for higher education:
The McNair program guides low-income under-represented students through the process of getting a doctorate education.
Westminster supports and works with GEAR UP which provides support to high-poverty middle and high-schools
A brief description of the institution's scholarships for low-income students:
Westminster College offers 100 scholarships as well as grants based on financial need.
Grants Include:
Federal Pell Grant
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
Westminster College Grants
Website for Grants:
http://www.westminstercollege.edu/financial_aid_undergraduate/index.cfm?parent=4210&detail=7018
Shcolarship info can be found online as well:
http://www.westminstercollege.edu/financial_aid_undergraduate/index.cfm?parent=4210&detail=4217
Students can also apply for federal, state, and institutional aid programs by completing a FAFSA.
A brief description of the institution’s programs to guide parents of low-income students through the higher education experience:
Westminster College has an Office of Parent Relations which helps parents stay up-to-date with campus events and feel more closely connected with their student and the college. More than 93% of graduates confidently recommend Westminster to others giving parents the reassurance that the Westminster College can provide a rewarding education for their child.
A brief description of the institution’s targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:
Westminster College works with the federal program GEAR UP.
GEAR UP is a grant to states and partnerships to provide services at high-poverty middle and high schools. GEAR UP grantees serve an entire group of students beginning no later than the seventh grade and follow the group through high school. GEAR UP funds are also used to provide college scholarships to low-income students.
About 97% of Westminster's entering freshmen receive some form of merit-based and/or need-based financial aid. The average award for 2008-2009 was $18,533. This fact gives most incoming students the drive to get attend Westminster College because the institution provides large merit based scholarships.
A brief description of the institution’s other admissions policies and programs:
A brief description of the institution’s other financial aid polices or programs:
Westminster students are based on past academic achievement and award scholarships according to merit and need-based criteria.
2011-2012 General Scholarship Information
Award Designation Award Amount Cumulative Transfer GPA
Westminster Scholarship $11,000 3.5+
Westminster Scholarship $10,000 3.25-3.49
Westminster Scholarship $7,000 3.0-3.24
Westminster Success Grant $5,000 2.75-2.99
Even if you don’t meet the minimum merit aid requirements, there is need-based financial aid available that is awarded on an individual basis to students who have filed the FAFSA and have demonstrated financial need.
Westminster College Award for Exemplary Achievement
Three awards of $25,000 per year will be awarded to students who intend to attend Westminster College as members of the Fall 2011 entering class. Both freshman and transfer students are eligible to apply.
In rewarding exceptional achievement, the College seeks to honor students who will enrich our community of learners as they embody the high value we place on excellence. Special consideration will be given to applicants who have overcome hardships, a disability, a difficult personal situation, or faced other disadvantages.
General Scholarship Fund
In addition to annually-funded scholarships, the college maintains a General Scholarship Fund that consists of a series of financial gifts made to Westminster by individuals and families who support the college. The General Scholarship Fund is used to support the Institutional Scholarships awarded each year. Listed below are the individuals, families, and corporations who are now supporting the College's General Scholarship Fund: Albert J. Alt Memorial Scholarship, George Bailey Memorial Scholarship, Victor Blumberg Memorial Scholarship, Bess W. Fisher Scholarship, Margaret Freece Scholarship, Fuller Reading Scholarship, Mr. and Mrs. G.T. Hansen Scholarship, Edith Wade and Frederick J. Hart Scholarship, Thomas F. Hawk Scholarship, Alfred Hendrickson Scholarship, Hoag Scholarship, Rosa Bird Marimon Scholarship, Mountain Fuel Supply Company Scholarship, Morris B. Rosenblatt Memorial Scholarship, Samuel Rosenfeld Memorial Scholarship Fund, Mr. and Mrs. L.S. Skaggs Scholarship, Bradley and Elizabeth Skinner Memorial Scholarship, Charles L. Wheeler Memorial Scholarship, Westminster College Memorial Scholarship Fund, and Henry T. and Helen I. Zeider Scholarship.
A brief description of the institution’s other policies and programs not covered above:
The website URL where information about programs in each of the areas listed above 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.