University of Massachusetts Amherst
PA-7: Affordability and Access

The cost of attendance is based on enrollment, residency and housing, however, the campus has institutionally funded need based aid programs to assist students in covering educationally related costs.

As mentioned in previous entry all faculty and staff are given the opportunity to take part in Workplace Learning and Development programs that provide employees with the opportunity to improve their cultural competence and awareness of issues related to equity, diversity, and inclusion (including issues of socio-economic difference among students, faculty, and staff within departments and throughout the university).

To assist first generation and low-income students with transitioning from high school to the UMass Amherst campus, all Community Scholarship students are given the opportunity to participate in the school's Power Up For Success program, which provides a three-day orientation on navigating the university, study skills, resources the university provides for academic success and co-curricular and experiential programs. Students are also given the option to live in EPOCH, the all-freshmen residence hall. In addition, UMass Amherst provides an academic support program specifically geared toward first generation college students through the Committee for the Collegiate Education of Black and Other Minority Students (CCEBMS, pronounced “SEBBS”). CCEBMS was designed and developed in 1967 by a group of concerned Black faculty and staff members from the Five College area. The first CCEBMS class, in 1968, consisted of 125 black students. Over the years, thousands of 1st generation students from various ethnic and economic backgrounds, including white and nontraditional students, have completed their college education with the support of the CCEBMS program. The program enhances the quality of student life in and outside the classroom, through planning, implementing, new innovative academic enrichment programs for students who are largely under-represented at the university. The program provides students with a welcoming and supportive environment that enables them to excel in their academics and complete their studies.

The campus has institutionally funded need based aid to assist low income student in paying for educational expenses. In addition, the campus participates in Federal Title IV and State financial aid programs. The Amherst campus provides Community Scholarships to first generation and low-income students. This is an annual $5000 award renewable for four years. The flagship campus budgeted $1,140,000 dollars to support this program annually.

We visit most high schools in the state of Massachusetts, specifically in the cities of Boston, Lowell, Worcester, Springfield, Lawrence, and Holyoke, where many low-income students attend high school. Additionally, the Visitor’s Center hosts over 2,000 students each year that are participants in college preparatory programs such as Talent Search, Upward Bound, and Gear Up. These programs are typically for students from low-income families.

ANNOUNCED FEB 17, 2017: https://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/article/umass-amherst-joins-national-initiative As part of UMass Amherst’s ongoing efforts to expand educational access and diversify its student body, the campus has joined the American Talent Initiative (ATI), an effort to substantially increase the number of talented low- and moderate-income students at the nation’s top-performing undergraduate institutions with the highest graduation rates. Formed last year with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, ATI now numbers more than 50 public and private institutions. School leaders, including Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy, will participate in an inaugural president roundtable on Feb. 22 in New York City. Former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, the founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies, is scheduled to take part in the session. By 2025 the members of the American Talent Initiative intend to attract, enroll and graduate 50,000 additional high-achieving, lower-income students at 270 colleges and universities with graduation rates of 70 percent or higher. According to the most recent federal data available, there are around 430,000 lower-income students enrolled at these 270 institutions. ATI intends to increase that number to 480,000 over the next decade. Colleges and universities participating in ATI will further the national goal of developing more talent from every American neighborhood through: -More robust recruitment of students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds -Making need-based financial aid a priority -Implementing proven practices to enroll and keep lower-income students that are admitted -Minimizing or eliminating gaps in progression and graduation rates During the meeting, the presidents will discuss a variety of topics, near- and long-term goals for ATI, the challenges related to increasing access and opportunity for lower-income students, researching issues of access and success and identifying solutions to address gaps in those areas for low-income students. The initiative is co-managed by the Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program (www.aspeninstitute.org/college-excellence) and Ithaka S+R (www.sr.ithaka.org).

As part of its commitment to increasing access to higher education, UMass Amherst offers dozens of scholarships each year. Check out the UMass Scholarship Search. It's a simple tool that helps match students with scholarships. UWW scholarships for adult students: UMass Amherst UWW also offers its own scholarships for adult students. Here are some of the $500-$2500 scholarships our students have the opportunity to apply for each semester. Please visit the UWW Student Center for upcoming deadlines and to apply. Bonnie Lynn Scholarship Fund This annual award is designated for a student enrolled in UWW who is in good academic standing and demonstrates financial need. In the spirit and memory of Bonnie Lynn, the individual awarded this scholarship for adult students will be someone who exhibits a strong determination in the pursuit of their goals, and who has succeeded in the face of adversity without having sacrificed their humor and compassion. Chicopee Savings Bank Scholarship Through a generous contribution from Chicopee Savings Bank, UWW awards this scholarship twice a year to a UWW student living in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire or Hampden counties in Massachusetts who is in good academic standing and demonstrates financial need. David A. Cole Scholarship for Continuing & Professional Education and University Without Walls This scholarship for adult students is for those enrolled in CPE and University Without Walls programs at UMass Amherst who are making career changes and who have financial need. Edward J. Harris Lifelong Learning Fund Named in honor of the founding director of UWW, this scholarship for adult students is awarded to someone enrolled in the University Without Walls who is in good academic standing and demonstrates financial need. Jeffrey C. Taylor Educational Opportunity Fund Established by and named after Jeffrey Taylor, UMass UWW alumnus and founder of Monster.com, this scholarship for adult students is awarded fall and spring semesters to a student enrolled in the University Without Walls who demonstrates financial need. Completed application and essay of no more than 750 words required. Misty Catherine Bassi Memorial UWW Scholarship In the spirit and memory of 2009 graduate Misty Bassi, this scholarship for adult students is awarded fall and spring semesters to a student enrolled in University Without Walls who demonstrates financial need and is in good academic standing. UWW Faculty Student Scholarship Fund Established to honor the dedication and passion of the UWW faculty, past and present, this scholarship is awarded fall and spring semesters to a student enrolled in the University Without Walls student who demonstrates financial need and is in good academic standing.

Center for Early Education and Care The Center for Early Education and Care (CEEC) has provided quality child care services to the University community for almost forty years. This tradition of service is one that we take great pride in and look forward to continuing for many more generations of UMass children and families. CEEC provides high quality early childhood services for over 90 children from 15 months through five years of age. The Center is open from 7:30am—5:30pm Monday through Friday and offers full-day and flexible-schedule enrollment options on an academic and full-year calendar. The Center serves undergraduate and graduate student families, staff and faculty families, and families of the local community. CEEC provides a model educational program based on developmentally appropriate practices which meet the licensing regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care and the accreditation standards of the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs of NAEYC. https://www.umass.edu/studentlife/ceec

University Without Walls The University Without Walls (UWW) is an academic major at the University of Massachusetts Amherst designed to help adults complete their first bachelor's degree. The major was launched in 1971 and the average age of students is currently 37. UWW students design their own program of study, take courses in the format (online, blended, or on-campus) that their schedule can accommodate, and qualify for up to 105 credits for prior coursework, prior learning and work & life experience. https://www.umass.edu/uww/ Veterans Another group of non-traditional students that UMass Amherst actively supports is student veterans. Our Student Veterans Resource Center is open 9-5, Monday to Friday to answer questions, address concerns and assist veterans in navigating life in college. Military service and experience is credited towards college credit using the American Council on Education (ACE), CLEP, and DSST guidelines. The same standards are applied to credits for military education as those applied to coursework from accredited colleges and universities. UMass Amherst hosts a separate orientation for student veterans, offers a course for student veterans on transitioning to campus life and honing academic skills, and workshops on developing learning skills and career building. https://www.umass.edu/veterans/

http://www.umass.edu/umccc/ * http://www.umassulearn.net/programs/summer/powerup (please note: all Community Scholarship scholars have their fees for this program covered by the University) http://www.umass.edu/ccebms/CCEBMS_Services.html https://www.umass.edu/oir/sites/default/files/publications/factsheets/retention/FS_ret_03c.pdf