Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 51.10
Liaison Kristin Larson
Submission Date Aug. 1, 2012
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.2

San Diego State University
PAE-10: Affordability and Access Programs

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Sarah Campbell
Sustainability Center Intern
Center for Regional Sustainability
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Does the institution have policies and programs in place to make it accessible and affordable to low-income students?:
Yes

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A brief description of the institution’s participation in federal TRIO programs:
http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/sds/triosss/ SDSU TRiO Student Support Services Project: Student Support Services is one component of the TRIO program, a federally funded group of outreach programs developed to increase participation and provide academic support to students in higher education. The SSS Project for Students with Disabilities at San Diego State University serves more than 200 students each year by supplementing legal accommodations through intensive, individualized support services to students with documented disabilities. Contact Information Mailing Address: Student Support Services for Students with Disabilities Student Disability Services San Diego State University 5500 Campanile Drive San Diego, CA 92182-4740 Telephone: (619) 594-5315 Fax: (619) 594-4314 Office Location: Love Library 205 Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm, Friday 8:30 am - 5 pm

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A brief description of the institution’s policies and programs to minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students?:
Financial Assistance Students seeking admission to EOP are required to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form is used to determine the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and allows the campus financial aid office to determine financial aid eligibility and consider the student for an EOP grant for up to $500 per semester. You must file the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1, 2010, and before the CSU financial aid priority filing date of March 2, 2010.

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A brief description of the institution’s programs to equip the institution's faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:
Not listed

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A brief description of the institution’s programs to prepare students from low-income backgrounds for higher education:
BEST (Building essential skills and talents)and Transfer Bridge Program @ SDSU supports historically low-income and educationally disadvantaged undergraduate students who need admission assistance or support services to succeed in college are admitted to EOP. They must demonstrate academic potential and motivation, be California residents, and meet the income criteria. Since 1969, the Center for Academic Assistance and Training (CAAT) has been an integral part of The Office of Educational Opportunity Programs and Ethnic Affairs (EOP). CAAT's major purpose is to support EOP students' ability to persist and succeed at San Diego State University. EOP has seven full-time, professional counselors who are committed to the academic success of students. Counselors provide academic, career and personal counseling as well as facilitate academic success workshops on topics such as campus resources, note-taking, time management, test taking, stress reduction, career exploration, relationships and interpersonal communication. Counselors also teach University Seminar classes designed for EOP Learning Communities students. First Contact is a mandatory orientation to the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). It is designed for all newly admitted SDSU/EOP students (first-time freshmen and community college transfers) and should not be confused with San Diego State University’s (SDSU) New Student Orientation, which is designed to reach all new, incoming SDSU students.

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A brief description of the institution's scholarships for low-income students:
Graduate Equity Fellowship A California grant program administered by the SDSU Graduate Division to help graduate students needing financial support, especially for groups underrepresented in their respective disciplines. Applicants must— Be a legal California resident. Be admitted to a master's program at SDSU (not for second doctorate or master's degrees). Be enrolled in at least 6 units (fall and spring) applicable to your degree program. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before application deadline (See How to Apply at the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships Web site). Have at least $1,000 in financial need. Demonstrated potential to succeed and complete your master's program based on undergraduate work and letters of recommendation. http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/scholarship/index.html

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A brief description of the institution’s programs to guide parents of low-income students through the higher education experience:
The Educational Opportunity Programs and Ethnic Affairs (EOP) staff and students wish to express our sincere appreciation to you and your family for the time spent and interest in learning about the excellent EOP Program and services offered to students throughout the state of California. A search of our home page will reveal various academic retention programs offered to enrolled EOP students at San Diego State University. All of the information provided on our home page is important reading for parents of future EOP students. We encourage all students and their families to not only review the information on the EOP webpage but to also read about admission requirements, financial aid/scholarships and the excellent academic programs referenced on the main SDSU home page. Access to the EOP Home Page offers you the opportunity to link up to other websites where you will find information on higher education opportunities, scholarships, SDSU Study Abroad programs, as well as student and community organizations that may be helpful in your studies at the university. The EOP Home Page is intended to serve as an electronic information-sharing resource to assist students with making informed decisions when planning their university program. We would be extremely delighted if you choose us as your first-choice program and campus. Please be sure to call our office if you need additional assistance! Sincerely, Reginald S. Blaylock Director Welcome to the Office of New Student and Parent Programs We are pleased that you have chosen to become part of our community, and look forward to assisting you in your transition to life at SDSU. As a department within the Division of Student Affairs, our programs are intended to assist students and parents in understanding the goals and expectations of this dynamic University community, and to introduce you to the valuable services and programs available on campus. We support new SDSU students in the achievement of their academic goals and enrich their university experience through quality orientation programs in preparation for their academic journey. We provide programs and services to parents of SDSU students through our Aztec Parent programs. We are committed to: Ensuring a smooth transition to the university experience; Keeping you informed about SDSU; Connecting you to our Aztec family; Opening channels of communication between you and the university; Enhancing student programs based on your feedback. We respond to changing student needs, expectations, and resources through evaluation of New Student and Parent Programs services and communications.

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A brief description of the institution’s targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:
#1 EOP Campus T.O.U.R.S. Translating Opportunity to Uplift Rising Stars Our Early Outreach efforts aim to “Plant the Seed” with students at the elementary and middle school grade levels. We invite elementary, middle school, and community organizations’ students to see and experience SDSU by taking a campus tour. Visiting a college campus can be one of the first steps for a young student on their path to higher education. #2 hat is EOP Transfer Bridge Program @ SDSU EOP Transfer Bridge Program (TBP) is an intensive transitional program offered for free during the summer prior to the beginning of the fall semester to new admitted EOP students transferring into San Diego State University from various local community colleges. The purpose of the program is for students to effectively utilize academic advising/counseling during TBP. At the conclusion of the program students should be able to: identify graduation requirements for their major, effectively identify and use library support services, demonstrate financial literacy in areas of financial aid, scholarship searches, and credit report as well as demonstrate the value of peer relations to support their university transition. #3 BEST (Building Essential Skills and Talents) Each Summer a select group of new EOP freshmen students are given an opportunity to get a head start on their college education and experience life at SDSU. Students participate in five weeks of intensive academic studies designed to earn up to six academic units and to develop needed writing, math, and study skills focused toward meeting SDSU’s writing and math competency requirements. Participants in the residential program live on campus, and those in the commuter program live at home, but still participate in all activities. All students get a chance to familiarize themselves with the university and explore the city of San Diego. This is a great way to begin at SDSU. You will meet students like yourself from throughout California, develop essential educational skills, and participate in social and recreational activities. With your enthusiasm and a five-week commitment, you can become one of EOP’s BEST students at SDSU. EOP’s BEST Summer Bridge Program at San Diego State University is regarded as one of the nation’s finest summer transitional programs. BEST students generally have higher grade-point averages and lower academic probation rates than other SDSU students. BEST alumni have gone on to graduate school or successful employment as professionals in varied fields.

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A brief description of the institution’s other admissions policies and programs:
See the SDSU Admissions website: http://arweb.sdsu.edu/es/admissions/

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A brief description of the institution’s other financial aid polices or programs:
Financial Aid Student financial aid programs are intended to provide assistance to students who do not have the necessary financial resources to meet educational costs. If you think that you or your family will not be able to pay for all of your educational costs, you should apply for financial aid. Instructions on how to apply and other information about financial aid can be found at the SDSU Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships Web site. The following is a list of some of the topics covered on the Web site: ■Federal financial aid ■State, local, school and private aid ■Financial aid for study abroad programs ■Application instructions and eligibility ■How aid is awarded and disbursed ■Rights and responsibilities of recipients ■Terms and schedules of loan repayment, as well as required exit counseling ■Terms and conditions of student loan deferments ■How to maintain academic progress and reestablish eligibility ■Terms and conditions of student employment (Federal Work Study) On the Web site is a printable copy of this information in the SDSU Guide to Financial Aid. Print a copy for yourself or request one from the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships by submitting your name and address, or send an e-mail request to fao@mail.sdsu.edu. Attention California Residents By submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the G.P.A. Verification Form by March 2, you may be eligible to receive a Cal Grant, which is free money you can use for college. Contact your high school counselor or your community college financial aid office for the appropriate forms or find them online at www.fafsa.edu.gov and www.csac.ca.gov. How to Apply for Financial Aid Anytime after January 1, you can apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is all you need to begin the application process. You may apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Paper FAFSA applications are also available and may be picked up at high school counseling offices and college financial aid offices. http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/scholarship/index.html

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A brief description of the institution’s other policies and programs not covered above:
Mission The Office of Educational Opportunity Programs and Ethnic Affairs is committed to supporting first-generation, low-income students through innovative outreach and retention programs that encourage them to persist towards the goal of a university degree. Core Values ■To foster communication that allows for growth and development of people and programs ■To promote an environment of diversity and cultural empowerment ■To function with respect and integrity ■To cultivate a community of lifelong learners ■To focus on learning outcomes and accountability SOAR (Success, Opportunity, Academics, Relationship) is the Mentor Program of The Office of Educational Opportunity Programs and Ethnic Affairs (EOP). Through its components of success, opportunity for academic development, retention and graduation it allows EOP students to SOAR. The SOAR Mentor Program pairs trained upper-class student mentors with incoming freshmen called protégés. Mentors serve as guides to assist new students through the maze of rules, regulations, expectations, and activities of general college life. SDSU Guardian Scholars Program The SDSU Guardian Scholars Program is committed to helping students exiting the foster care system by providing a comprehensive, holistic support program to help them achieve the goal of a college degree. SDSU helps Guardian Scholars navigate the unknown waters of a college education through access to key campus resources when they are most needed. For a portion of these students, this support will include a significant scholarship to supplement their financial aid package and reduce reliance on student loans. In addition, arrangements have been made to provide Guardian Scholars living in the residence halls with on-campus housing between semesters and during the summer. SDSU’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) serves as the main resource for Guardian Scholars, offering ongoing services such as academic advising, tutoring, skills assessment, and math and writing labs. In addition, EOP counselors will link the students to other critical services available from departments and programs throughout the university that are prepared to serve the unique needs of former foster youth.

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The website URL where information about programs in each of the areas listed above is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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