Nader Sayegh: “Keeping our College students in College”

Friends,

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted education at every level and for many New Yorkers put attending college financially out of reach. This is especially true for students who have to work to support themselves while attending college, so community colleges and their students have been especially hard hit.

I know from personal experience where education can take a person, starting out in Yonkers Public Schools and making it all the way through graduate schools including a Law Degree. We must not allow this generation of college students to fall through a COVID-19 pandemic crack.

That is why I am so enthused about the President’s Economic Stimulus Package now approved by the Congress. It earmarks $40 billion for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund to keep students in college while making sure our colleges, especially community colleges, can maintain their academic programs. Colleges and universities are being advised to use half of the money they receive in direct aid to their students.

If you are attending college or university, or are considering enrolling in college in the fall, contact the school’s financial aid office for information on the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund to learn what support is available to help keep you in school.

If you have not yet applied for New York’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) do so before June 1 at this website: hesc.ny.gov. At this website you can also schedule a phone call to speak with someone about any questions you may have.