University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
PAE-10: Affordability and Access Programs

TRiO Programs TRiO programs at UWGB consist of both the Upward Bound program and the Regional Center for Mathematics and Science, an Upward Bound - Math and Science Program. Both programs are sponsored through federal grants from the U.S. Department of Education. Precollege Programs at UWGB are sponsored through a combination of grants from the State of Wisconsin - Department of Public Instruction. TRiO and Precollege Programs at the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay (UWGB) are focused on bringing low income and first generation college students to UWGB. The Upward Bound program at UWGB offers tutoring labs during the academic year to its high school students at East, West, and Preble High Schools in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Additionally, the Upward Bound program takes its students on tours to colleges around the Midwest throughout the year, provide assistance in finding and filling out college financial aid applications, help students find and complete ACT and SAT prep courses if desired, take students on various community service activities throughout the year. During the summer Upward Bound brings its students to UWGB for a six week residential learning experience where they live in the dorms and take courses from veteran teachers and university professors. The RCMS program at UWGB runs a six week residential program concurrently with Upward Bound. In addition to a collegiate experience and challenging courses during its summer session, RCMS provides its students with assistance in applying for financial aid, in applying to colleges, and in bettering ACT and SAT scores through prep courses. As RCMS students come from all over the Midwest its academic-year interaction with its students takes the form of challenge questions and newsletters. BOTH programs run their summer programs from June through August, June 26 through August 6 for 2011. Precollege Programs The Precollege Programs at UWGB consist of two-week, residential experiences at UWGB where students live in the dorms on campus and attend classes during the week. Students participate in one of three programs: Young Writers Workshop, Stars of the Future/ Estrellas del Futuro, Learning with Legos. All three run concurrently, from June 12 through June 24 for 2011, and share dorm staffs.

All students are encouraged to apply for federal and state aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Eligibility for different grant programs is determined by the results of the FAFSA. We do not have specific institutional aid programs geared toward the "low income" however, we do not require new traditional students to live on campus, so a local, low income student (or any new student) could lower costs by commuting from home.

An all-campus "retention summit" was conducted in January 2011, and a session on student financial aid was held. It was well received, particularly because most faculty have little knowledge of the daunting financial circumstances facing low income students.

Precollege Programs The Precollege Programs at UWGB consist of two-week, residential experiences at UWGB where students live in the dorms on campus and attend classes during the week. Students participate in one of three programs: Young Writers Workshop, Stars of the Future/ Estrellas del Futuro, Learning with Legos. All three run concurrently, from June 12 through June 24 for 2011, and share dorm staffs. In addition, the Phuture Phoenix program encourages local at-risk students, starting at the fifth-grade level, to complete high school and attend college, thus boosting the percentage of NE Wisconsin graduates who continue onto college. UW - Green Bay also participates in the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program AVID, that is designed to give support to students, particularly those in the academic middle, so that they can go to college and reach their fullest potential. It also serves to level the playing field for minority and low-income students, as well as students who may be the first in their families to potentially attend college.

There are several University scholarships that are designated for students who show financial need according to their processed FAFSA application. The definition of low income versus financial need may vary and need is one criteria that would be considered in awarding most scholarships.

General information sessions are held twice daily year around on campus. These information sessions include how-to's on navigating through the higher-ed application and student aid processes.

The Phoenix Start Program is an admissions program which works with students who show promise for success. These largely first generation and low-income students who do decide to come to UW - Green Bay continue to participate in this high-touch program where the receive advising and monitoring to achieve success. In addition, the campus American Intercultural Center works to recruit multi-cultural students from urban and inner city areas.

The Inclusive Excellence Project and the Equity Scorecard Projects both seek to share information to promote a broadly inclusive campus community and a focus on equitable outcomes for all learners, with a particular emphasis on low income, first generation and underrepresented students. The admission programs and processes are very comprehensive, hands-on/high touch, accommodating and sensitive to individual needs.

Students are encouraged to apply for financial aid early each year as some federal and state programs are limited in fainancial resoures so funds do run out. By applying early, students are giving themselves the best opportunity to be considered. We have a wide variety of policies and specific programs. For example, the Gear UP program is for high need students who have been involved in specific programs in high school and have not transitioned to college. The Talent Incentive Program Grant is a combination state and federal program for high need students as well. Two relatively new programs in Wisconsin are the Fund for Wisconsin Scholars (FFWS) and the Wisconsin Covenant Foundation and/or Scholars Grant. The FFWS is privately funded by a generous donor and provides millions of dollars annually throughout the state to needy (Pell Grant eligible) students. The WI Covenant Foundation is part of the Wisconsin Covenant program this is privately funded and is for the highest need students. The Wisconsin Covenant Scholars (state funded) program is for specific students that signed a WI Covenant pledge and met other criteria. Some students will show need to get it while others may receive a smaller amount if they do not have need.

UW-Green Bay runs a local, award-winning program called Phuture Phoenix with the following goals and objectives: To encourage at-risk students, starting at the fifth-grade level, to complete high school and attend college, thus boosting the percentage of NE Wisconsin graduates who continue onto college To provide positive role models for at-risk students and allow UW-Green Bay students the opportunity to perform community service To create a relationship between the community, university and area youth. To provide fifth graders an opportunity to visit and experience their public university To increase the number of pre-teens and young teens who view education as a path to a brighter future To provide scholarships for Phuture Phoenix students who graduate from high school and attend UW-Green Bay