University of Iowa
PAE-10: Affordability and Access Programs

TRiO Programs- Upward Bound and Student Support Services foster the success of first-generation and low-income pre-college and college students. TRiO Student Support Services at the University of Iowa serves 350 low-income, first-generation students and/or students with disabilities each year with the goal of increasing persistence and graduation rates of these students. As a part of TRiO, Student Support Services is funded by the U.S. Department of Education. http://diversity.uiowa.edu/cde/trio-student-support-services

Two major goals of the University are to provide access for those with limited financial resources and to attract students who will contribute to the quality and diversity of the student population. To help accomplish these goals, The University of Iowa awards institutional scholarships to students based on a variety of factors including pre-admission test scores, high school rank, financial need, special talents, and academic achievement at The University of Iowa. Institutional grants may also be provided to students who demonstrate exceptional financial need with little or no ability to provide family financial resources to attend The University of Iowa. The opportunity to annually renew their scholarships and grants helps students to continue their education each year and to graduate from The University of Iowa. http://www.uiowa.edu/financial-aid/aidtypes/index.shtml The UI directs parents and students to the UI Net Price Calculator, which can be accessed through the UI Office of Student Financial Aid website, www.uiowa.edu/financial-aid/calculator, or though the UI Admissions website, www.admissions/uiowa.edu/finances. The Net Price Calculator allows parents and their prospective students to enter financial information about their family and to also enter information about the student’s academic record, such as ACT score, High School GPA, rank in class, and other factors.

Upward Bound is a federal TRiO program for high school students who are committed to being successful in high school and who are interested in attending college. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and The University of Iowa. The University of Iowa Upward Bound Project is under the auspices of the Chief Diversity Office and is part of the Center for Diversity & Enrichment. Upward Bound provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance. The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in their precollege performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits. Upward Bound serves high school students from low-income families and high school students from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor's degree. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education. Mentoring of all sorts can greatly enhance students’ experience and assist them in actively engaging in “educationally-purposeful activities,” which are known to improve their success. Mentoring can assist students in engaging as part of a larger community; it can strengthen their ability to recognize their skills, abilities, and interests, and assist them in thinking through and accomplishing long-term goals. Student mentoring occurs in a myriad of ways at The University of Iowa, below are a few of the more formalized programs designed to assist in student success. http://provost.uiowa.edu/mentoring/students.htm

The Center for Diversity & Enrichment provides leadership and coordination for outreach and service to minority communities and students who participate in federally-funded Upward Bound programs. The office provides precollege student development, assistance with facilitating the enrollment process, and programs and activities that support the ability of underserved students to increase their skills to thrive and succeed at the University of Iowa.

The University of Iowa offers more than 2,000 scholarships each year to outstanding undergraduate students based on financial need, academic merit, or both. Students may receive multiple scholarships, and receiving a UI scholarship will not disqualify students from also receiving need-based grants or loans offered through the UI Office of Student Financial Aid. http://admissions.uiowa.edu/finances/scholarships The University of Iowa invites members of the Tribes/Nations historic to Iowa to attend the university and pay in-state tuition, regardless of where they live. These tribes/nations currently include: Iowa Kickapoo Menominee Miami Missouri Ojibwa (Chippewa) Omaha Otoe Ottawa (Odawa) Potawatomi Sac and Fox (Sauk, Meskwaki) Sioux Winnebago (Ho Chunk)

Parents Association Established in 1955 as the Dad's Association, the UI Parents Association was created in 1971 to bring about a closer relationship among parents, students and the University. The Association's on-campus office is parents' connection to University departments and offices that can answer specific questions and respond to concerns. The Parents Association is staffed by the Office of the Vice President for Student Life and works closely with many offices all over campus. Parent Orientation Parent and guest orientation sessions, which are concurrent with student programs, focus on academic opportunities, University billing and financial issues, student health and safety information, and ways for parents to become part of the University community while helping their students make a successful transition to college life.

School and Community Partnership (SCP) Program The Center for Diversity & Enrichment (CDE) coordinates outreach efforts to underserved K-12 students from diverse backgrounds, including students of color, first-generation students whose parents have not received a baccalaureate degree, and students from low-income families. These efforts emphasize focused school and community partner contacts where a staff member from CDE can travel to a community and share college going information with students and their families. The program also supports campus visits and can sometimes provide transportation and develop specific programs depending on student interests. University of Iowa staff, faculty, and students are often invited to go into public schools, community colleges, and community-based education programs to engage students in college going discussions on a regular basis. These partnerships seek to advance the academic success of participating students and to increase the likelihood that these students will pursue their higher education. The UI Admissions Office works very closely with CDE in recruiting new students. The Admissions assistant director specializes in recruiting students from diverse backgrounds. The office also partners with various agencies, community organizations, and schools to bring students with broad varieties of backgrounds to the University of Iowa to enrich the educational experience of all students.

Keeping higher education affordable and accessible is a high priority of the University of Iowa. Students who demonstrate the greatest financial need will receive the most amount of financial aid and will receive priority consideration for need-based grants and scholarships. The UI offers close to $50 million in scholarships for undergraduate scholarships and grants. Close to another $28 million was received from private sources by undergraduate, graduate, and professional students during fiscal year 2013. The UI has created a number of resources and opportunities for parents and students to gain more knowledge about the process and to be as financially savvy as possible. Parents and students are directed to the UI Net Price Calculator which can be accessed through the UI Office of Student Financial Aid website, www.uiowa.edu/financial-aid/calculator, or though the UI Admissions website, www.admissions/uiowa.edu/finances. The Net Price Calculator allows parents and their prospective students to enter financial information about their family and to also enter information about the student’s academic record, such as ACT score, High School GPA, rank in class, and other factors. Regarding the financial aid process, first, the UI Office of Student Financial Aid usually begins awarding new first-time, first year admitted students in March preceding their freshman year. Second, the UI OSFA sends an award notification via email informing the student of the total estimated cost to attend the UI along with the awarded grants and scholarships, which results in the net price to the student (similar to the information provided by the Net Price Calculator). This award notification will then let the student know of their work-study eligibility as well as their federal loan eligibility. Last, the parent is informed of the option to borrow through the federal Parent Loan for Dependent Student (PLUS) loan.

The Advantage Iowa award is a merit-based scholarship for first-year students whose enrollment will contribute to a diverse learning environment. Eligibility criteria may include one or more of the following: race/ethnic background, socioeconomic factors, whether the student is a first-generation college student, and participation in a federally funded Upward Bound program. Awards range from $2,000 to full tuition, and may be renewed for up to 8 semesters as long as the student is enrolled full-time and maintains a cumulative 2.50 grade-point average. AIl scholars are also required to enroll in either The College Transition or a first-year seminar; meet regularly with a multicultural coordinator at the Center for Diversity & Enrichment; and attend academic and social programs sponsored by the CDE. For more information, please see: http://diversity.uiowa.edu/cde/advantage-iowa-award There is also a 2013-2014 Living Learning Community for first generation students. First Generation is a community that celebrates and welcomes first-generation college students. First Generation seeks to help students have a smooth transition from high school to college by providing a support system for residents that will continue throughout their years at the University of Iowa. For more information, please see: http://fye.uiowa.edu/admitted-now-what/living-learning-communities/first-generation

First Generation Iowa was created to: Provide a welcoming atmosphere and support to new and returning first generation college students. Provide a combination of social, academic, and service opportunities for members. Help students transition from high school to college and introduce them to the many campus resources and opportunities available. Connect first generation college students with other first generation college students across campus. http://uiowa.orgsync.com/org/firstgenerationiowa19503/About

For more information about financial aid available at the University of Iowa, please see: http://admissions.uiowa.edu/finances/scholarships http://www.uiowa.edu/financial-aid/