Ithaca College
PAE-10: Affordability and Access Programs

We do not currently participate in any federal TRIO programs.

The institution accepts students on a need-blind basis, and then works extensively with the accepted student family to craft an affordable financial aid package, factoring in any and all applicable scholarships/grants, loan programs, and work study options.

The Office of Academic Enrichment Services provides faculty and staff with training and tools to monitor student performance and mechanisms to report students at risk. The Early Alert program in particular provides useful tips to faculty and staff on signs of student distress to be watchful for. http://www.ithaca.edu/aes/EarlyAlert/

Academic Enrichment Services provides the following student-centered services: ■Free Individual and Group Tutoring in Core Courses ■Drop-In Tutoring in Select Courses ■Academic Coaching and Goal-Setting Consultation ■Study Skills Enhancement ■Note-Taking Techniques ■Effective Listening ■Improving Reading Comprehension ■Learning Styles Assessment ■Other Support for Student Success Free peer tutoring is available for a variety of Ithaca College courses, predominantly at the 100-level and 200-level. Academic Skills Enhancement AES professional staff or a study supporter help with building college-level study skills, improving time-management skills, or developing strategies to reduce test anxiety and stress. Academic Monitoring AES tracks the academic progress of all first-year students, ensuring that they are making the grades that will keep them in good academic standing. Students who are not performing well receive an Academic Alert message from the AES director encouraging the student to come in for assistance. The Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) program supports students coming from all parts of New York State including rural, urban and suburban areas, enrolled in a variety of majors. HEOP students receive a wide range of support services from the OSG Director, HEOP counselor, and paraprofessional staff, including ■Comprehensive Academic Monitoring ■Academic Counseling and Advising ■Individual and Group Tutoring ■Academic Success Workshops and Seminars ■Personal/Professional and Career Development ■Leadership and Character Development ■Social and Cultural Support HEOP students are required to attend a five-week pre-freshman Summer Institute offering two 3-credit academic courses which focus on mathematical and writing skills, a seminar course on "Exploring Psychology in Everyday Life" and academic success strategies. The Summer Institute provides career, cultural, social, and leadership development, along with recreational activities on the campus, in the Ithaca community, and regionally within New York State. The CSTEP program CSTEP increases student diversity and enriches the college community by enrolling CSTEP participants from historically underrepresented groups (African American, Latino American, Native American, and Alaskan Native) and students economically disadvantaged. The mission of CSTEP is to increase historically underrepresented groups in STEM fields and licensed professions. CSTEP provides experiential activities (research placements and internships) aimed at developing the skills needed for CSTEP-targeted careers. The Emerging Scholars program supporst students who aspire to career fields where women and individuals from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds havde been historically underrepresented. Students receive critical academic support services. The Ithaca Achievement Program supports ALANA students with assignment of academic consultants and counselors in order to develop individual educational plans, and offering leadership development and community involvement opportunities.

On average, 80 to 85 percent of incoming Ithaca College students receive financial aid, totaling over $60 million in scholarships, grants, jobs, loans, and private aid. All applicants are considered for merit-based scholarships of up to $16,000 per year. Up to 60 students receive Ithaca Leadership Scholarships of $7,000. The Ithaca College Leadership Scholarship recognizes a demonstrated record of leadership and academic performance. This renewable $7,000 award is offered each year to Leadership Scholars who maintain a 2.75 cumulative GPA and participate in all required elements of the Leadership Scholars program. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholar Program is open to academically talented students from ethnic and racial backgrounds that have been historically underrepresented in American higher education. Each MLK scholar receives up to full tuition in aid, with a minimum merit-based scholarship of $25,000. The Ithaca Access Grant is awarded on the basis of financial need. The W. G. Egbert Founder’s grant provides limited amounts of grant assistance to select students on the basis of high financial need as determined by the College. The Ithaca Opportunity Grant is awarded to economically disadvantaged students who are members of underrepresented groups. The Ithaca/NYS Higher Educational Opportunity Program (HEOP) grant is made to students who have been admitted to the College under the New York State Higher Education Opportunity Program. HEOP students are also eligible to receive a NYS HEOP Grant, based upon New York State guidelines. HEOP grants are based on financial need. These programs are detailed in this guide to financial aid for incoming students: http://www.ithaca.edu/finaid/docs/1112/INC_Guide/

Ithaca College is a participant in the Common Application system, a not-for-profit organization that serves students and member institutions by providing an admission application – online and in print – that students may submit to any of its 415 members. This helps reduce costs for applying to Ithaca College. The Admission system provides customized information for parents of prospective students, including an extensive FAQs section offering guidance on financial aid programs. http://www.ithaca.edu/admission/parents.php http://www.ithaca.edu/admission/faqs/category/90/ In addition, Financial Aid counselors are available for one-on-one consultation on applying for financial aid. The MyIthaca portal, which prospective students create, provides customized support throughout the college search and admission process. Family members are encouraged to attend and participate in special sessions designed to answer their questions and concerns during First Year Orientation. http://www.ithaca.edu/sacl/experience/orientation/family/ The Center for Counseling and Wellness offers resources specifically to parents of Ithaca College students. http://www.ithaca.edu/sacl/counseling/resources/forfam/

The Office of Admissions recruits extensively from secondary schools with high populations of low-income, underrepresented populations. Admissions staff stay in contact with guidance counselors from such schools. The Admissions office regularly attends College Fairs in urban centers with large numbers of such schools. Ithaca College is also very careful to present a diverse student "face", voice and experience in all its webpages. It is overt in its vision and fervent desire to create and sustain a diverse campus population.

All Ithaca College prospective and admitted students have access to online connectivity tools, such as MyIthaca, which connects students to one another for mentoring and guidance, and Fuse, a student-written magazine which helps answer students' questions and provide interesting insights into the campus and local community and the student experience.

The Office of Student Financial Aid offers step-by-step application for financial aid, as well as one-on-one financial aid counseling support. On-line modules guide users through determining the amount of aid needed (http://www.ithaca.edu/finaid/need.php) and the steps to apply for various funding programs.