Starbucks College Achievement Plan FAQs from CAC Advisers

Page created by Annette Silva
 
CONTINUE READING
Starbucks College Achievement Plan
                               FAQs from CAC Advisers
                                 (Updated March 31, 2016)

       * Note: Some language for this document was pulled from the SCAP FAQ document (written by
                                  Starbucks) and the ASU Online website.

How long will it take for a student to obtain their bachelor’s degree through
SCAP? How many classes can they take as part of the SCAP benefit?
A student’s academic level at the beginning of their participation in the program
determines their maximum number of credits available for the Starbucks College
Achievement Plan Scholarship and Reimbursement Grant. A student’s academic level is
determined by the number of credits earned and accepted as transferred before the
time of admission to ASU (SCAP FAQ document, pg. 3).

While not required, it is recommended that scholars maintain at least a half-time course
load (15 credit hours and approximately 5 courses) every year that they take part in the
program in order to stay on track towards graduation. An enrollment counselor can
advise students on the time commitment they should expect to make for their course
load (SCAP FAQ document, pg. 12).

How does a student start the process of becoming eligible for the SCAP benefit?
To participate in the SCAP program, a student would first need to apply for and
receive a job at Starbucks. Starbucks partners may express their interest in taking
advantage of the SCAP benefit at any time, including immediately upon gaining
employment with the company. Once they indicate their interest in the program, they
will receive a call from an enrollment counselor (or they can reach out to one on their
own at 844-ASU-SBUX [278-7289]) who can help them in exploring degrees, applying
to ASU, and preparing to start classes.

Upon gaining employment, a student would need to be paid for 240 hours of work
over the course of three consecutive months in order to become benefits eligible.
Partners become eligible the first of the month following the month in which the hours
audit was run (SCAP FAQ document, pg. 6-7).

	
                                                1
Example: A Starbucks barista is paid for 240 hours of work (total) during the months of
May, June, and July. An hours audit is completed on August 1st, for a benefit eligibility
start date of September 1st (SCAP FAQ document, pg. 7).

How many hours, at minimum, would a partner need to work in order to stay
benefits eligible while participating in the SCAP program?
To remain benefits eligible, Starbucks partners must work a minimum of 20 hours/week
for a minimum of 520 paid hours in a six-month period (SCAP FAQ document, pg. 7).

Is an online degree as valuable as a traditional degree?
At ASU, the diploma and transcript a student earns online are identical to one they
would earn on campus — in other words, they say “Arizona State University,” not
“Arizona State University Online.” Courses are taught by the same award-winning
faculty, but are re-designed especially for effective and rigorous online learning, with
the traditional semester broken into two 7.5-week sessions so that students’ progress is
assessed continuously (SCAP FAQ document, pg. 2).

Are there other partner institutions that students could apply to other than ASU?
No, the SCAP benefit can only be applied to coursework taken through ASU’s Online
program.

Will a student’s existing credits transfer to ASU?
ASU will accept transfer credit for traditional course work a student has successfully
completed at regionally accredited institutions of higher education as documented on
an official transcript. The transferability of credit will be determined at the time of
admissions once ASU has received a student’s official transcripts. Please keep in mind
that the applicability of a specific transfer course toward an ASU degree program
depends on the requirements of the department, division, college or school in which
the student is enrolled at ASU. Students will work with an academic advisor to
determine the applicability of their transferable credit once they are admitted to ASU.
For detailed information about how credit transfers to ASU, please visit
http:transfer.asu.edu/credits (SCAP FAQ document, pg. 10).
	
  
Why might a student choose to participate in this program, rather than going to a
community college or enlisting in the military?
As with making the decision to choose any postsecondary college or career path,
students might choose to participate in the SCAP program over other paths for a
variety of reasons. One example of a student who might benefit from the SCAP

	
                                          2
program would be a student who meets all of the criteria to attend a four-year
university, yet due to obligations at home, may need to work during his/her time in
college. Participating in the SCAP program would give the student the opportunity to
earn money and gain work experience at Starbucks while receiving a tuition-free
bachelor’s degree from ASU Online. Additionally, students might choose to participate
in an online program because it gives them more flexibility in their course schedule and
more control over their timeline for learning the content. As with any program, the
reason for participating in this specific degree program will vary from student to
student.

Does a student have to complete their degree in a certain amount of time?
While not required, it is recommended that scholars maintain at least a half-time course
load (15 credit hours and approximately 5 courses) every year that they take part in this
program in order to stay on track towards graduation. The scholar’s enrollment
counselor can advise them on the time commitment they should expect to make for
their course load (SCAP FAQ document, pg. 12).
	
  
Can a student pursue multiple degrees, including advanced degrees, through the
benefit?
No, the Starbucks College Achievement Plan is designed to help partners complete
their first bachelor’s degree (SCAP FAQ document, pg. 9).

If a student has not taken the SAT or ACT, can they take it as a Starbucks partner
to be eligible for SCAP?
Yes! Additionally, please note that while students who do not meet all criteria for
admission to the ASU Online program will be evaluated through a process called
Individual Review, the submission of an ACT or SAT test score is highly recommended
(https://students.asu.edu/freshman/requirements).

What happens if a student has to stop working at Starbucks for some reason? Are
they reimbursed through that semester? What are their options for continuing at
ASU?
Once a student leaves employment with Starbucks, he/she will no longer receive the
Starbucks College Achievement Plan Scholarship and will no longer be eligible for
receipt of a Reimbursement Grant for future semesters. He/she will not be required to
reimburse ASU or Starbucks for any CAP Scholarship or Reimbursement Grant received
prior to separation from employment. Students who leave Starbucks before graduating
from ASU may continue with their coursework, however they will not be eligible for
SCAP funding to assist with their tuition.

	
                                         3
If a student is rehired at Starbucks and becomes eligible for the program once again,
he/she will begin receiving the CAP Scholarship and become eligible to receive the
Reimbursement Grant again, too. Any credits taken while not employed at Starbucks
will not count toward a Reimbursement Grant and will not qualify for the CAP
Scholarship. To receive a CAP Reimbursement Grant, a student must be employed at
the time payment is made. Payments are processed within six weeks of the end of each
semester (SCAP FAQ document, pg. 9).

Do students have to start ASU as freshmen to be eligible for the SCAP benefit, or
can they transfer from community college or after earning an associate’s degree?
If a student chooses to start or complete an associate’s degree at another college, they
may be able to transfer to ASU and participate in the SCAP program. An enrollment
counselor will be able to talk to students and answer questions about the process for
admission and possible credit transfer. Enrollment counselors can be reached at (844-
278-7289) (SCAP FAQ document, pg. 9).

Do classes run year-round or are they on semester terms? If on terms, are summer
sessions available?
ASU Online offers six start times every year. There are two starts during the spring
semester, two during fall and two during the summer. Check the academic calendar for
specific dates: http://students.asu.edu/academic-calendar.
	
  
Would students have to meet the minimum SAT/ACT test score requirements for
acceptance into the program?
The minimum ACT and SAT test scores for admission into ASU Online are as follows:
ACT = 22 (24 nonresidents), and SAT Reasoning = 1040 (1110 nonresidents). Please
note that students who do not meet these minimum scores will be evaluated through
the university’s Individual Review process.

Is there a four-year cap on tuition reimbursement? Is there a maximum number of
courses that can be taken?
There is not a four-year cap on tuition reimbursement. However, a student’s academic
level at the beginning of his/her participation in the program determines his/her
maximum number of credits available for the CAP Scholarship and CAP
Reimbursement Grant. A student’s academic level is determined by the number of
credits earned and accepted as transferred before the time of admission to ASU (SCAP
FAQ document, page. 12).

	
                                         4
Are scholarships available to SCAP program scholars?
ASU features scholarships on their website, for which scholars may apply. For a list of
these scholarships, please visit: https://scholarships.asu.edu. Additionally, students
participating in the program may also apply for outside scholarships as they would if
they were participating in an on-campus program. SCAP scholars are encouraged to
consult with their Financial Aid Counselor to assist with finding ways to cover out-of-
pocket finances.

How long does it take to complete the program?
The length of time it takes to obtain a bachelor’s degree from ASU Online may vary
from scholar to scholar. Each scholar’s timeline may look a little different based on
his/her work schedule, major, and the number of credit hours taken each semester.
Although not required, scholars are encouraged to maintain a least a half-time course
load each year (15 credit hours/approximately 5 courses) to stay on track towards
graduation. Scholars should consult with their Enrollment Counselor for more advice on
their course load (SCAP FAQ document, pg. 12).

How can students still have “the college experience” while participating in an
online program?
It is understood that part of the “college experience” includes having the ability to
interact with other students. ASU’s faculty and course instructors use a variety of
methods to share materials, monitor student progress throughout the course, and
facilitate student interaction (https://asuonline.asu.edu/faq-category/online-student-
experience). Additionally, Starbucks has created an online tool for SCAP scholars to use
to find and interact with each other.

Activities like study abroad might be difficult for SCAP scholars to participate in, given
the need to maintain their store hours in order to remain benefits eligible and receive
the CAP scholarship. However, these opportunities are available to ASU Online
students. Scholars should consult with their Success Coach and Academic Advisor for
support in making sure they are making the most of their college experience.

Can students reapply to ASU Online if they are not accepted the first time?
Yes! Additionally, students should consult with an Enrollment Counselor for more
information on how to become a stronger applicant for admission into the program.

	
                                           5
Is there an example of a payment plan for ASU Online to assist with explaining
program finances to students?
Yes! We have created an out-of-pocket cost estimate sheet to assist with explaining
program finances to students. It has been added to the SCAP Toolkit on the Adviser
Resources page of the College Advising Corps website. Additionally, students are
encouraged to consult with a Financial Aid Counselor for additional assistance.

If a student applies to and is accepted by ASU Online as part of the SCAP
program, but does not do well academically, what happens? Are they removed
from the program and if so, can they re-apply at a later point?
Scholars who would like to switch majors or who have failed/need to withdraw from a
course will be reimbursed for eligible expenses including the cost of the classes they
failed and/or from which they withdrew. However, it is important to remember that
these courses will still count toward the maximum number of credits for which each
student can be reimbursed – this number is based upon a scholar’s academic level at
the time of his/her admission to the ASU Online program.

Do students still receive a wage/income from Starbucks?
Yes! As with any other employee, SCAP scholars still receive a paycheck for the hours
they work at Starbucks while participating in the program.

Is this program only for US citizens?
Students must complete a FAFSA in order to participate in the SCAP program.
Students who have questions about their citizenship or immigration status and how it
relates to Federal Student Aid and SCAP should contact the ASU Financial Aid and
Scholarship Services office through the Service tab on MyASU at
https://my.asu.edu/service or by sending an email to CAP@asu.edu. Students may also
contact 1-844-278-6693 for assistance (SCAP FAQ document, pg. 8).

Is there an age requirement to participate in the program?
No. A scholar must only meet the benefits eligibility criteria and be accepted into ASU
Online in order to participate in the program. There is no age requirement.

Are there additional resources if a student is struggling with their schoolwork?
As with a traditional degree program, students are encouraged to engage with their
professors and classmates and actively participate in their courses. This includes
contacting professors or faculty members whenever they have questions about
coursework. Scholars are also encouraged to collaborate with their classmates and
other SCAP scholars for support through online community tools (such as the SCAP

	
                                         6
scholar hub, made available by Starbucks). Additionally, scholars should contact their
Academic Advisor and Success Coach for assistance in creating a plan to successfully
complete their coursework.

Will Starbucks work with students to schedule their hours around their new school
schedule and online classes?
SCAP scholars are encouraged to communicate their participation in the SCAP
program to their managers, keeping in mind that they still have to work an average of
20 hours per week in order to remain benefits eligible. Scholars are also encouraged to
contact their Success Coach and Academic Advisor for support while taking classes and
working at Starbucks.

What is the value of an online degree from ASU? Will it lead to gainful
employment? How much will students really benefit/learn?
ASU Online students earn an identical diploma and transcript to students participating
in an on-campus program. Diplomas and transcripts from ASU Online simply say
“Arizona State University.” Courses are taught by the same award-winning faculty, but
are re-designed especially for effective and rigorous online learning, with the
traditional semester broken into two 7.5 week sessions so that students’ progress is
assessed continuously (SCAP FAQ document, pg. 2). According to their website, more
than 250 leading employers actively recruit ASU graduates. For more information
about why a student might choose to attend ASU Online, please visit:
https://asuonline.asu.edu/become-student/why-choose-asu.

How hard is it to be successful in online classes? Is it challenging to balance online
classes and work?
ASU has developed their program in a way that optimizes student success
(https://asuonline.asu.edu/why-choose-asu/course-experience). Courses are designed
using “state-of-the-art technology and tools,” providing students with a direct
connection to the knowledge and expertise of faculty. Balancing online classes and
work can be challenging. For a 7.5 week session, a student should be prepared to
spend 6 hours per week on coursework for every 1 course credit
(https://asuonline.asu.edu/how-it-works/learning-online-at-asu). SCAP scholars are
encouraged to seek support from their Success Coach and Academic Advisor as well as
well as from fellow SCAP scholars.

	
                                         7
Do SCAP scholars have to live in Arizona? Can they walk at ASU’s on-campus
graduation if they want to attend?
Students do not have to live in Arizona to participate in the SCAP program. Scholars
are welcome and are encouraged to attend and walk as part of the on-campus
graduation ceremonies at ASU.

How does the online program actually work? Do students communicate with their
teacher via webcam? Do they complete essays, projects, etc.?
Professors teaching as part of the ASU Online program use Blackboard as a home base
for students. Here, they post course syllabi, coursework and assignments, as well as
messages for students. Courses are delivered using media tools like Zaption, where
professors can create engaging and interactive video activities by adding text, images,
quizzes and discussions to existing video content. Students interact with each other via
message boards on Blackboard and collaborate with each other using tools such as
Google Drive and Google’s Apps for Education. For more information on the ASU
online course experience, visit https://asuonline.asu.edu/why-choose-asu/course-
experience.

After a student’s tuition is paid in full (after any federal aid has been applied), is
there any money left for students to receive a refund check?
The amount of money remaining from financial aid after tuition has been covered
varies from student to student. Scholars are encouraged to apply any remaining funds
toward out-of-pocket costs for their program (such as books) and toward the next
semester’s tuition.

Will scholars have to take out loans during their first semester of the program
since they do not receive reimbursement until after the first semester is complete?
Whether or not a scholar will have to take out a loan to finance their initial semester’s
tuition will depend on the level and type of aid they receive after submitting the
FAFSA. As with students attending a traditional on-campus program, the amount and
type of aid a student receives will vary from student to student.

	
                                          8
You can also read