Wesleyan University
PAE-10: Affordability and Access Programs

The Upward Bound Math-Science program is designed to help low-income and first-generation college students recognize and develop their potential, to excel in math and science, pursue post secondary degrees, and ultimately careers in the math and science professions. Activities, trips, and involvement are designed to help students become more familiar with S.T.E.M. (Science Technology Engineering Math) education. The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program at Wesleyan University was established in 2007 and assists students from under-represented groups in preparing for, entering and progressing successfully through post-graduate education. Since 2007, the program has supported a total of 59 students: 20 male and 39 female. 40 of the students were first generation college attendees and 19 were from under represented minority groups.

Wesleyan offers only need-based aid. A student's/family’s cost is related to its income/assets and ability to pay based on Wesleyan's review of this information. Wesleyan meets 100% of demonstrated need; therefore, low-income students and families would expect to pay less. Wesleyan has made a commitment to its highest need students (for families that have a total income under $40K) by offering them need-based aid with no loans. The standard loan package for a graduating student reflects approximately $19K in loans; by comparison, the highest need students would graduate with $0 loan.

Wesleyan's Making Excellence Inclusive initiative is meant to assist the Wesleyan community in identifying ways to further institutional diversity and inclusion. MEI involves all parts of the University, including faculty and staff. With regards to students, this initiative focuses specifically on ways in which students currently explore issues of difficult differences (such as racial, ethnic, and gender inequality, or continuing struggles around the globe for human rights, freedom, and power), engagement in learning communities such as the Wesleyan Diversity Education Facilitation Program (Wes DEF) and certain student fora, implementation of programs and networks that promote awareness of and engagement with diversity on campus. For the past two years, the Chief Sustainability Officer, Director of Student Leadership Development, and the Dean of the Class of 2014 have co-led “Connections,” a program that pairs students with faculty and staff mentors, many of whom are part of AFCA (Administrators and Faculty of Color). Connections was initially aimed at men of color on Wesleyan's campus in response to feelings of isolation, but expanded in its second year to reach out to all students of color. The current model involves groups containing an employee, upperclass student, and first-year student to facilitate mentoring on multiple levels. This model has proved successful, with 22 mentors and 44 students participating in 2012-13. Connections' goal is to reach out to students before they begin to feel isolated, provide a safe space for discussing issues of inclusion and racism, and foster one-on-one relationships between classes. Connections hosts two forums each semester in which students and mentors can share a meal and discuss issues on campus. Connections also encourages mentoring groups to get together socially and to meet with other mentoring groups. In the 2013-14 school year, Connections will be open to all first-year students. The program's eventual goal is to develop mentoring "families," so that each group has a freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, faculty/staff mentor, and alumnus/a, all of whom can mentor one another in different ways.

The Upward Bound Math-Science program is designed to help low-income and first-generation college students recognize and develop their potential, to excel in math and science, pursue post secondary degrees, and ultimately careers in the math and science professions. Activities, trips, and involvement are designed to help students become more familiar with S.T.E.M. (Science Technology Engineering Math) education. The Prospect Math/Science Project is a comprehensive enrichment experience which includes field trips and Saturday workshops focusing on hands-on math and science activities during the school year; a four-week summer program with classes in math, science, language arts, foreign language, and visual and performing arts with classroom and field trips linked to a science theme; summer activities include science labs, field trips, brain teasers, math challenges, writing prompts, art projects, and instruction in a foreign language. Prospect emphasizes critical, analytical, and higher order thinking skills. Ascend is an exciting program designed to help students prepare for future educational goals through tutoring, hands-on enrichment programs, cultural field trips, and special events. Ascend is managed by Wesleyan University Public Schools Collaborative and is funded by Wesleyan University and the Middletown Board of Education. The program serves students at Bielefield School, Farm Hill School, and Macdonough School. Approximately twelve students from each school in grades 4 and 5 will be accepted into Ascend.

Wesleyan offers only need-based aid. A student's/family’s cost is related to its income/assets and ability to pay based on Wesleyan's review of this information. Wesleyan meets 100% of demonstrated need; therefore, low-income students and families would expect to pay less. Wesleyan has made a commitment to its highest need students (for families that have a total income under $40K) by offering them need-based aid with no loans. The standard loan package for a graduating student reflects approximately $19K in loans; by comparison, the highest need students would graduate with $0 loan.

Admission deans participate in programs across the country to talk about the admission and financial aid process and explain the value of a liberal arts education. Community based organizations (CBOs) often assist us with setting up these annual presentations and the students they work with tend to be low-income, first-generation students. Parents are always welcome at these programs.

Admission deans travel broadly to meet students from a variety of backgrounds in both private and public schools. They also work directly with CBOs across the country while they are on the road to sponsor programming and actively recruit students from low-income backgrounds. The Travel Assistance Program (TAP) brings low-income students to campus for Wesleyan's two fall open house dates. TAP applicants come from across the country, and the program gives them the chance to be on campus, learn more about Wesleyan and experience student life for two days. Wesleyan also offers travel grants in the spring for admitted students who have not had the chance to visit campus. These students are provided with transportation, housing, and meals, and participate in WesFest, Wesleyan's admitted student celebration. The Wesleyan admission office hosts a CBO Conference annually, transporting 25-30 CBO directors to campus from across the country. Wesleyan brings in a guest speaker, and the admission deans, along with people from other departments on campus, run sessions to discuss best practices and issues of access in higher education. This program has been very successful, and the CBO directors are able to return to their organizations and share what they learn with their staff so that they are better able to assist the low-income students they work with.

Wesleyan is a QuestBridge partner school. QuestBridge matches high achieving, low-income students with some of the top colleges across the country. These students apply early using a special application, and if admitted, Wesleyan commits to meeting their full need with no loans. Wesleyan is also a partner with the Venture Scholars program. The Venture Scholars Program works with high achieving underrepresented students and first-generation students who are interested in pursuing careers in math and science. These students are connected with partner schools, like Wesleyan, and they are given the tools they need to be successful in a selective admission process. Wesleyan also has a long standing relationship with A Better Chance (ABC) and Prep For Prep. These CBOs place low-income, underrepresented, and first-generation students into some of the best college prep schools in the country. These students receive a quality education for free, and get significant help with the college search and application process. Wesleyan works closely with ABC and Prep For Prep students, and has admitted several of their scholars over the years.

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Upward Bound Math-Science: http://www.wesleyan.edu/ubms/math_science/index.html Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program: http://www.wesleyan.edu/mcnair/) Prospect Project: http://www.wesleyan.edu/ubms/prospect/index.html Ascend: http://www.wesleyan.edu/ubms/ascend/index.html Making Excellence Inclusive: http://www.wesleyan.edu/partnerships/mei/overview.html"