Frequently Asked Questions About ACCESS
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What are the eligibility requirements for ACCESS?
In order to be eligible for the ACCESS program, a student must be a first-time freshman at Appalachian, attend full time (12 semester hours or more every semester), be a resident of North Carolina, have a FAFSA "Expected Family Contribution" (EFC) of 0, and have their guardians’ adjusted gross income (AGI) not exceed 100% of the federal poverty guidelines set forth by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services each year. Please visit www.access.appstate.edu for more detailed information about these guidelines.
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What costs are covered by ACCESS?
ACCESS-eligible students will receive financial aid covering 100 percent of their institutional charges (tuition, fees, room, and board). For those students who do not have health insurance prior to enrollment, ACCESS will also cover the health insurance fee. Visit healthservices.appstate.edu/health-insurance-information for more information about the health insurance plan offered by the University. ACCESS will cover these costs for 8 consecutive semesters, not including summer terms, as long as the student remains financially and academically eligible for the program.
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What costs are not covered by ACCESS?
ACCESS does not cover such expenses as computers, parking permits, bus passes, additional class supplies, etc. Please note: the textbook rental fee is included in tuition and fees, so students will only be purchasing additional textbooks required by their classes that are not on the rental system. These costs can vary greatly from semester to semester and ACCESS students will need to be prepared to cover these educational expenses on their own. ACCESS is occasionally able to help students purchase these additional books, but it is not a guarantee. Additionally, ACCESS only covers up to the High meal plan. In both of these cases, the student would only be responsible for the difference in the charges (see the ACCESS website for more information on these charges)
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What types of financial aid will ACCESS students receive?
ACCESS-eligible students will be awarded federal, state, institutional, and/or private grants and scholarships. Additionally, students who qualify will be awarded the amount of Federal Work-Study that can be earned by working approximately 6-10 hours per week in an on-campus job.
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How will students cover other educational and non-educational expenses?
Unless their financial need is met with grants and outside scholarships, as a member of the ACCESS program, students will be offered an on-campus job through the Federal Work-Study program. We strongly encourage ACCESS students to accept this offer.With a work-study job, students can work 6-10 hours per week and earn up to $1800 per academic year, in the form of bi-monthly paychecks, to cover some of their personal expenses. We also encourage our students to work over the summer in order to save money for the academic year.
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Is the ACCESS award renewable or is it only good for the freshman year?
To receive a financial aid award under ACCESS as a sophomore, junior or senior, a student who has been designated as an ACCESS student must:
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Continue to meet financial aid eligibility requirements as determined by Federal regulations,
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Continue to be enrolled as a full-time student and be making satisfactory academic progress at Appalachian State
and
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Continue to fulfill all the participation requirements outlined in the ACCESS student contract.
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What does the ACCESS program expect of its students?
In order to be officially admitted into the ACCESS program, each student must sign and return an ACCESS contract. The contract is a signed agreement that both the program and the student will fulfill the expectations outlined in the contract. The following is a sample list of expectations the student agrees to when joining the ACCESS program:
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Attendance at Summer Orientation and Welcome Weekend
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Enrollment in and satisfactory completion of courses
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Regular attendance at tutoring sessions if/when advised to do so by your advisor or one of your professors
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Attendance in mentoring and active study group during your freshman year or other services when determined as part of your ACCESS program
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Regular meetings with your assigned academic advisor
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Attendance at meetings and professional development opportunities for program participants
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Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards as set by Federal Financial Aid guidelines
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Agreement to not accept any student loans while enrolled at Appalachian State University as an ACCESS student
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Whhat can ACCESS students expect at Orientation?
In each orientation session, all participants for that session are divided into smaller groups. All potential ACCESS students are assigned to the same orientation group within an orientation session. This group will move through the orientation schedule of events together, led by an orientation leader who is a current ACCESS student. This group will also meet with a member of the ACCESS staff for academic advising sessions. Here, you will be able to see your class schedule, make changes if necessary, learn about the academic policies and procedures at ASU, and ask questions about both academics and the ACCESS program.
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How can parents/guardians get additinoal information and questions answered regarding the ACCESS program?
Parents/guardians of ACCESS Students are encouraged to attend a special orientation session for parents during ASU’s summer Parent Orientation time. During the orientation session, parents will be given information about the ACCESS program’s benefits and expectations as well as a chance to ask questions of ACCESS staff members. Upon arrival to Parent Orientation, please check the schedule for the time and location of this important session. Visit http://parents.appstate.edu/orientation for information about the orientation as well as how to register. If parents/guardians are not able to attend Parent Orientation, they may contact our office with questions.