University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
PA-8: Affordability and Access

Financial aid is money provided to help meet the costs of attending college, and may consist of any combination of grants, loans and work study. Aid is intended to help make up the difference between the students' educational costs and the amount their family is expected to contribute, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Financial Aid Office strives to ensure all students receive the most favorable aid award possible according to their individual needs and aid availability. Aid is awarded on a priority basis (neediest students receiving more in grants, work study and low-interest loans), and not all students will be eligible for need-based aid.

The Center for Academic Excellence and Student Engagement (CAESE) seeks to foster a learner-centered culture of teaching at UWSP by engaging faculty and staff in an ongoing, collaborative process of instructional professional development. We do this by: Assisting faculty and staff with pedagogical innovation in teaching, learning and technology Providing pedagogical development opportunities in support of the new General Education Program Coordinating instructional development opportunities that support meaningful assessment Promoting the development of best practices in student engagement

We currently reach out to all Low Income/First Generation Freshman students. We meet with them individually and provide personal counseling. They are also eligible for free content area tutoring through the Tutoring-Learning Center (TLC). The Upward Bound program is designed to improve high school students’ academic skills and decision making skills while building the self-confidence necessary to prepare them to obtain a college education. Students must also meet one or ideally both of the items below: 1. Potential First Generation College Student - means that a participant comes from a family where no parent has earned a four-year degree. AND/OR 2. Low Income - a participant’s family income is at or below federally determined low income levels. The UPWARD BOUND PROGRAM consists of academic year assistance, postsecondary planning, and summer sessions annually where participants enroll in classes to improve their skills and take part in career exploration/self-development exercises. Additionally, a multitude of cultural and recreational activities are offered. Students receive a weekly stipend during summer sessions. Stipend Awards are contingent upon a student displaying good academic attitude and positive behavior. The Solid Foundations Program will provide low income/first generation students an excellent template for academic success. Through outreach, best advising practices, and academic support, students will learn how to successfully navigate the higher education system. There are many new UWSP first year programs that students in our program will have the opportunity to participate in. UWSP offers a First Year Seminar program, which has small class size, which will help faculty connect with first year students. In addition to exciting and relevant topics that are interesting to students, the course also incorporates student study skill instruction and fosters student involvement in campus activities as well as resources that support part of their course requirements.

The UWSP Foundation website lists campus-wide scholarships and their eligibility requirements. Several are based on financial need, including the "Jack & Evelyn Burroughs Scholarship", the "Gordon M. Haferbecker Antigo High School Scholarship", and the "NCS for Success" scholarship. There are also specific scholarships for freshman, several based on financial need and non-traditional students. We also have DPI Scholarships for summer programs for low-income middle and high school students. These scholarships are available to all students who are eligible for free or reduced school lunch. These scholarships pay all program costs except transportation to and from campus. These scholarships are considered to be recruitment tools.

The Financial Aid Office staff is available to help parents understand the financial aid process and answer questions. Answers to "Frequently Asked Questions" and resource links are found at the Financial Aid website.

The Upward Bound program targets 10 schools in a seven-county target area in central and northern Wisconsin. Upward Bound recruits new program participants at its various targets schools via recruitment presentations to groups of eligible 8th, 9th and 10th graders at a number of schools throughout December and early January. Applications for Upward Bound are available through guidance offices at all UB target schools as well as by contacting the Upward Bound office directly. Additional outreach materials include brochures, online videos, and events, such as college visits in the spring and fall. Over the past 30 years, UWSP has run a successful retention program (formerly called Student Support Services) serving low income/first generation college students. The SSS program was designed to increase retention rates, rates that were met and exceeded the program objectives and goals. Unfortunately the SSS funding source dissolved which prompted the inception of the Solid Foundations program (SF), which will be modeled after the SSS program. The Solid Foundations Program will provide low income/first generation students an excellent template for academic success. Through outreach, best advising practices, and academic support, students will learn how to successfully navigate the higher education system. We also have DPI Scholarships for summer programs for low-income middle and high school students. These scholarships are available to all students who are eligible for free or reduced school lunch. These scholarships pay all program costs except transportation to and from campus. These scholarships are considered to be recruitment tools.

We have a holistic admissions policy which means every student is evaluated on the whole picture of what they bring to our institution, not just test scores and high school GPA. Low income status is taken into account if the student mentions it in their essay.

The UWSP Office of Equity and Affirmative Action suggests that minority students inquiring about scholarships should be directed to the following sources: •Gates Millennium Scholarships •The American Psychological Association Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) •The American Geological Institute (AGI) Minority Geoscience Scholarships •The Association on American Indian Affairs Sequoyah Graduate - Fellowship (for American Indian or Alaskan Native full-time students working toward a graduate degree) UWSP also provides a list of 60 scholarships for diversity students. Additional state grant programs for low-income students include: *UW Academic Fee Increase Grant (incomes less than $60,000) *WI Covenant Scholars Grant *WI Higher Education Grant (need-based) *WI Indian Assistance (need-based) *WI Talent Incentive Grant (need-based & educationally disadvantaged)

UW-Stevens Point was awarded a Title III grant from the U.S. Department of Education in 2013. The $1.8 million, five-year grant will fund the program Strengthening Academic Success: More Graduates for Wisconsin. Title III is part of the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The grant is part of a Strengthening Institutions Program, which helps higher education programs expand their capacity to serve low-income students by providing funds to improve and strengthen an institution’s academic quality, institutional management and fiscal stability. There are two types of student employment opportunities: the College "Work Study" Program (federally funded) and "regular work." Only students who demonstrate financial need and request work study on the FAFSA can be considered for work study. Our Student Involvement and Employment Office is ready to assist with the work study program. Our student employment professionals are actively connected to on- and off-campus employers who are seeking part-time student help. Other sources of financial aid include vocational rehabilitation grants, Wisconsin Scholars fund, the Midwest Student Exchange Program, Academic Excellence Scholarships and others.

http://www.uwsp.edu/foundation/Pages/scholarships_nontraditional.aspx Alpha Phi Omega Scholarship Vivian and Lulu Kellogg Scholarship Fund Elizabeth Pfiffner Debot Memorial Scholarship Dick Toser Alumni Memorial Scholarship

The UW-Stevens Point Child Learning and Care Center has discounted rates for students.

The Non Traditional Student Office is available to assist students over 50 hours each week during the academic school year. The office is a great place to do homework, meet with study groups, and network with other nontraditional students, use student computers and printer free of charge. http://www.uwsp.edu/nontrad/Pages/default.aspx Business at Night Degree Completion program http://www.uwsp.edu/cps/conted/Pages/BusNIGHT/default.aspx Student Organization- Alliance for Nontraditional Students at UWSP http://www.uwsp.edu/nontrad/Pages/ants.aspx