University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
PAE-10: Affordability and Access Programs

Federally funded TRIO program (1st generation, low-income and/or disabled students). The Federal TRIO Programs (TRIO) are outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO includes eight programs targeted to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post baccalaureate programs. TRIO also includes a training program for directors and staff of TRIO projects. TRIO-Funded Programs include Student Support Services and McNair Scholars.

The Financial Aid Office offers online guides to their programs and has staff available for drop-in hours, phone and email correspondence. For matriculating students, Student Support Services offers Financial Aid and Scholarship Assistance. If a student and/or family has a change in financial circumstances, such as a loss of income or increased expenses, individual circumstances may be considered in the re-evaluation of financial aid eligibility. In some cases, the Financial Aid Office may be able to adjust income information based on these “special circumstances.” Students and/or their families may also experience increased mandatory expenses, such as additional medical/dental/disability expenses, required educational expenses, and/or transportation expenses, etc. In some cases, the Financial Aid Office may be able to adjust the student’s estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) based on these “special circumstances” as well. The state maintains 13 UW College campuses to serve as low-cost 2-year campuses with the goal of transferring to 4-year campuses like UW Oshkosh. Cost savings are a major justification for attendance at a UW College. UW Oshkosh works with UW System to maximize transfer of credits from UW Colleges. UW Oshkosh also works with the state Technical colleges to develop transfer agreements and 2+2 programs for student wishing to transfer.

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) sponsors workshops and sessions to assist faculty members in understanding the developmental needs of first-year students and specialized populations. The Center integrates its work with other campus offices to assist faculty and staff to explore new ways to engage students for success. Work will continue to implement best practices and address obstacles identified by the university data about student achievement.

Center for Academic Support and Diversity (CASD) PreCollege Programs enroll middle and high students primarily from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and a majority are multicultural students. Recent programs include: Aspiring Pupils for Professional Leadership in Education (APPLE); Exploring Science, Technology and Engineering Education Majors (ESTEEM); Making Aspiration Turn to Honors (MATH); PreCollege Enrichment Program (PEP); Summer Mathematics and Reading Talent Scholars (SMARTS); Wisconsin Youth in Nursing (WYN); and Young Entrepreneurial Scholars (YES). For matriculating students, Student Support Services offers peer mentoring, tutoring, academic skills development, degree guidance, personal support, cultural/social activities, and referrals to other campus services. Student Support Services (SSS) is one of the federal TRiO programs funded through the U.S. Department of Education. The program has existed on the UW Oshkosh campus since 1975. The goal of SSS is to increase the college retention and graduation rates of the students it serves. The UW Oshkosh program serves a total 300 students annually. Students must meet prescribed eligibility criteria relating to family economic status and/or parental education attainment. Students with documented disabilities may also be served by the program. UW Oshkosh is the largest recipient of transfer students in the UW System. A common reason for transfer is a financial strategy of using non-residential UW Colleges and Technical colleges to accumulate one to several semesters of credits at reduced expense. The campus recently opened the Titan Transfer Center to assist students in their integration into the University through an augmented student transfer advising process. This will allow transfer students to become better aware of University academic and student support services.

The federally-funded Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program will prepare 25 UW Oshkosh undergraduates annually for doctoral study by pairing them with faculty mentors who assist the students in designing, implementing, and completing a significant research project. The program seeks to increase the attainment of advanced degrees by students from first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented groups. SSS Scholarships of $1,000 are awarded to Student Support Services students meeting the eligibility criteria: First or second year college student; Pell Grant recipient; 2.50 GPA; Fulltime enrollment (12 credits/semester); Attendance at a minimum of five academic seminars or cultural enrichment events per year; minimum of four contacts with an SSS adviser per year.

The Financial Aid Office staff is available to help parents understand the financial aid process and answer questions. They have established websites specifically for parents to explain financial aid, the costs of attendance, and information-sharing limitations imposed by the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

From pre-college programs to graduation and career activities, the Center for Academic Support and Diversity (CASD) offers an array of programs and services that provide academic and student support services to enhance recruitment, enrollment, retention and graduation of multicultural and qualified first-generation, low-income and/or disabled students.

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions lists specific guidelines for different types of applicants at their website: http://www.uwosh.edu/admissions/admissions-guidelines .

The Financial Aid Office administers need-based programs for Federal Work-Study, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Nursing Loan, and Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan. UW Oshkosh Foundation provides scholarships, many need-based. STEP: The Student Titan Employment Program (STEP) offers undergraduate and graduate students unique high-impact learning opportunities. Depending on the needs of the individual campus units, students may participate in projects in such areas as media services, student-faculty research, supplemental instruction, library assistance, instructional technology and academic computing support, and Web page development and maintenance. Course Fee Assistance: Course fees are generally excluded from the estimated cost of attendance figures. If students are assessed additional required course fees, they may submit a written request for consideration of a cost of attendance adjustment. If approved, their cost of attendance will be adjusted and aid eligibility recalculated.

The Financial Aid Office publishes a guide for students: http://www.uwosh.edu/fin_aid/financial-aid-guide/financialaidguide12.pdf