Eligibility Criteria for Members

To fulfill our mission to increase college access, affordability, and success for all students—particularly those from historically under-represented groups—the Coalition has strict eligibility criteria for our member schools.

Coalition member colleges and universities must provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.

By meeting these rigorous standards, our members prove that they are dedicated to improving the college application process and to promoting access to higher education, making them smart college choices.

What we mean by a commitment to access, affordability & success

 

Access

  • Open to students of all backgrounds, including, but not limited to cultural, socio-economic, and geographic backgrounds

  • Engage significant under-served and under-resourced populations

 

Affordability

  • Offer In–State Tuition or

  • Meet Full Demonstrated Need and/or

  • Graduate their students with Low to No Debt and Low Loan Default rates

 

Success

  • Achieve High Graduation Rates, including strong rates for low income and under–represented students

Members must

 

Be an accredited, four-year, public or private, non-profit, degree-granting institution with reported access and success metrics through the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Members must also be fully compliant with Title IX — with no documented exemptions with the Department of Education.

Minimum Qualifying* Criteria

 

Access

  • Percentage of under–represented or Pell eligible students enrolled greater than or equal to 10% (NCES: IPEDS)

 

Affordability

  • Title IV Debt < $30,000 (College Scorecard Data: National Student Loan Data System)

  • Loan Default Rate 10% or less (Cohort Default Rates: Office of Federal Student Aid)

 

Success

  • Overall graduation rate of 60% or higher (NCES: IPEDS) or

  • Enrolls more than 33% under-represented or Pell eligible students, with graduation rates greater than or equal to 50% (NCES: IPEDS and National Student Loan Data System)

 

*If a state has no qualifying four–year public universities, its public university with the highest metrics on these standards is automatically invited.

Interested in joining the Coalition?

Complete this form for institutions interested in becoming Coalition members, and we’ll be in touch.