Grand Valley State University
PA-8: Affordability and Access

The Financial Aid Office establishes a packaging policy that addresses the needs of all students and targets grant dollars to low-income students. In addition to $25.2 million in institutional grant assistance, federal grant dollars were awarded to 13,093 low-income students in 2013-2014. $29.45 million in Federal Pell Grants. $897,000 in Federal Supplemental Grants. GVSU also provides Federal TEACH Grants, Federal Direct Loans, Federal Parent Loans, Federal Perkins Loans, Federal Nursing Loans and Federal College Work-Study and Michigan Competitive Scholarships to needy students. http://www.gvsu.edu/financialaid

Within the professional programs sponsored by the offices of Inclusion & Equity, Student Academic Success Center, Student Services, and Faculty Teaching & Learning Center, faculty and staff develop collaborative connections and initiatives to serve students from disadvantaged environments.

GVSU's Upward Bound program prepares underserved and/or first-generation college-bound students in grades nine through twelve for success in high school and enrollment in college. Once accepted, a student can participate until graduation from high school. All services are provided at no cost to participants. The program provides academic instruction, tutoring, counseling, and cultural activities designed to build the academic skills, motivation, and self-confidence necessary for success in college. The program also offers assistance in the search for financial aid and scholarships, as well as support in completing the college admissions process. Another program designed to improve access is the Freshman Academy program that is funded by institutional funds. Freshman Academy is a support program for students who have demonstrated a strong potential for achievement, but lack high school preparation to be successful in college. All participants in the program are first generation college students. About 80% of the participants are also considered low income students and receive the Pell Grant. The program provides intensive academic support including: specialized course sections with learning communities, tutoring services, developmental academic advising and assistance with study skill development. This fall program participants will be moving into campus a week to participate in an pre-semester institute designed to get students into the swing of college academic life early. It will use intensive cooperative problem solving to assist students develop time management skills, refine critical thinking skills, and elevate math, reading and writing skills. Students in the Institute work closely with faculty, staff and other students (forming a strong community early) and will obtain a very effective preparation for the academic rigor at GVSU. The program is offered at no cost to students. www.gvsu.edu/ub http://www.gvsu.edu/gvnow/?articleId=167B7B87-BC07-B0D1-358FFA91B7502040&print=true

GVSU provided $25.2 million in need-based grant assistance targeted to low-income students for the 2013-2014 award year. http://www.gvsu.edu/financialaid

In addition to school visitations by our Admissions, Financial Aid, and Upward Bound Program representatives, campus visitations are offered. A number of online resources are also made available to parents: http://www.gvsu.edu/ub/resources-for-parents-10.htm http://www.gvsu.edu/parentsfamilies.htm http://www.gvsu.edu/familyassociation

During the recruitment process, the Admissions Office uses the Teacher Cancellation Low Income Directory Report from the U.S. Department of Education to assist in identifying high schools with a high concentration of students from low-income families. Targeted recruitment activities include: high school visits by an admissions representative, onsite admissions decisions, and bus trips for groups to tour the Allendale Campus and experience campus life. http://www.gvsu.edu/admissions

Once admitted to the university and a FAFSA filed, all Pell eligible students are contacted by an admissions representative to ensure understanding of their financial aid award letter. Students are also introduced to the services and support programs of the Student Academic Success Center to enrich their higher education experience.

Dollars are available to students through GVSU merit based programs, GVSU departmental scholarships, GVSU athletic scholarships, other State of Michigan grant programs, endowed scholarships, scholarships from outside agencies and alternative loans through outside lenders. http://www.gvsu.edu/financialaid

To provide opportunities for graduates of the Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) to attend college, the Joan A. Panopoulos Scholarship was created to give qualified students assistance with the cost of their education at GVSU. The scholarship is designed to benefit GRPS students who have participated in the TRiO Upward Bound (UB) Program. Preference will be given to the Upward Bound student who has participated in the GVSU TRiO UB Program. If no one from the GVSU TRiO UB program applies, candidates that have participated in other TRiO programs offered in Grand Rapids (MI) and graduated from a Grand Rapids public school will be considered. Additionally, candidates who are former TRiO students who have graduated from a Grand Rapids public school and earned an associate’s degree from Grand Rapids Community College will be considered for this scholarship award.

GVSU offers around 10 scholarships that are available for part-time students. These scholarships are also available to full-time students. The average award from these scholarships is around $1,500.

The Children's Enrichment Center (CEC) is a campus-based child care facility that operates year round. It's been accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children since 2005. Currently the CEC offers student families tuition discounts, additional veteran discounts, accepts subsidies from the Department of Human Services to contribute to the cost of child care, and works in partnership with the Early Childhood Investment Cooperation/Great Start Collaborative to serve as a preschool site for county families receiving preschool scholarships.

GVSU offers a Student Parent Club, has a non-traditional task force that works directly with enrollment officers, has celebrated families with events such as Family Fun Night, Daddy's Do Best support group and non-traditional student week, a Veteran's Lounge and Veteran's Network, and a self-appointed faculty/staff committee that is currently reviewing policies/programs that support non-traditional students in an effort to recruit, retain and satisfy non-traditional students.