Governor Cuomo Announces $3.2 Million to Promote College Access to Low Income Students
"Increasing access to higher education for all New Yorkers is a top
priority of this administration, and this funding will help put more lower
income students on track for a college career," Governor Cuomo said.
"Working with our partners in government, we will continue to invest
in our home-grown talent to provide students with the education they deserve."
The funding from the College Access Grant Challenge Program will support
strategies for student success through five projects implemented at specific
organizations across the State:
Providing college-ready, low-income students with customized information and assistance throughout the college application process, and match students to colleges that best align with their academic potential. Award recipients for this project are:
- Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY - $49,988
- New York City Outward Bound Center, Inc., LIC, NY - $183,772
- Henry Street Settlement, New York, NY - $85,000
Facilitating FAFSA completion to help low-income students access financial aid. Award recipients for this project are:
- New Settlement Apartments (The Crenulated Company, Ltd.) Bronx, NY - $124,740
- Veterans Outreach Center, Inc., Rochester - NY $72,980
- D'Youville College, Buffalo, NY - $72,898
- YMCA of Greater New York, New York, NY- $136,860
Providing intensive college preparation, enrollment and persistence counseling, coaching and direction on the transition to college beginning in middle school through the end of freshman year of college. Award recipients for this project are:
- Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation, Brooklyn, NY - $75,000
- Yonkers Partners in Education, Yonkers, NY - $492,489
- Long Island University – Brooklyn, Greenvale, NY - $49,680
- Sports and Arts in Schools Foundation, Queens, NY - $49,680
- Kingsbridge Heights Community Center, Bronx, NY - $162,535
- Good Shepherd Services, New York, NY - $213,900
- Harlem Center for Education, Inc., New York, NY - $74,897
- Sunnyside Community Services, Sunnyside, NY - $109,179
- Bottom Line, Inc., Brooklyn, NY - $200,000
- SUNY College at Farmingdale, Farmingdale, NY - $270,000
Reconnecting adult learners to postsecondary education opportunities through services that increase their college completion rates and reduce time to complete their degrees. Award recipients for this project are:
- Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region, Albany, NY - $270,941
- Orange County Community College – SUNY, Middletown, NY - $53,630
Establishing new and creative uses of technology to increase college opportunities for low-income students. The award recipient for this project is:
- Excelsior College, Albany, NY - $449,439
Details about the College Access Innovation Grants can be found at
HESC.ny.gov/CACG.
"Through these college access grants, New York has been able to work
in partnership with exceptional community-based organizations to provide
low-income students with the tools and motivation to plan for, apply to
and graduate from college," said Elsa Magee, Acting President of
HESC. "Over the past 6 years, New York State has successfully applied
for six awards totaling $35.5 million, which has allowed us to continue
to support students in their communities. We're pleased to be able
to continue that support through the program's final year."
Congressman Charles B. Rangel said, "I thank Governor Cuomo for his
unyielding commitment to opening doors for students in our community to
gain access to higher education. Ensuring college access is the greatest
investment we can make to help them succeed. In Congress I will keep fighting
for legislative efforts to make college affordable to everyone in our
great State and Nation."
Congresswoman Louise Slaughter said, "A person's income should
never limit their potential or access to higher education, especially
if that person is a veteran of the U.S. military. I am glad that we are
undertaking a comprehensive effort to make college more affordable, and
especially thankful that the Veterans Outreach Center will be able to
help local veterans access a college education. As chairwoman of the House
Rules Committee in 2009, I was proud to bring the Post-9/11 GI bill –
legislation that expanded opportunities for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans
to go to college – to the House floor for a vote. We must continue
to support our veterans and invest in accessible higher education, just
as this grant does."
Congressman Eliot Engel said, "College graduates generally earn more
than those who only have a high school diploma, but higher education is
still a distant dream for far too many low-income students. These federal
funds will help make college more accessible by giving students the guidance
they need to navigate the financial aid process and better prepare for
college. Yonkers Partners in Education has worked hard to provide these
types of services, and I am pleased that they are among the recipients."
Congressman José E. Serrano said, "Oftentimes, promising students
from disadvantaged backgrounds can't reach the next academic level
simply because they don't have access to the information, counseling,
and resources they need to apply to college. We have to invest in these
students to help them reach their full potential. The funds announced
today by Governor Cuomo will help thousands of New York City students,
including students from the Bronx, access greater academic opportunities
and successfully graduate from college."
Congressman Jerrold Nadler said, "Many deserving students are unable
to attend college simply because they cannot afford the rising costs.
I am pleased my district has been selected to receive a CACG grant so
that low–income New Yorkers will have the support to start down
the pathway to success. These grants strengthen our community and the
city as a whole. New York ought to be a place where good students, no
matter their income, can afford to go to college. Those who aspire to
the highest levels of education are vital to enriching our world, and
we should do all we can to empower them."
Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney said, "I want to thank Governor
Cuomo for taking a bold step to help young people afford higher education.
A college education is the gateway to better opportunities in life. This
much-needed funding will help thousands of low-income and at risk students
who might otherwise be unable to gain access to the halls of higher learning.
Applying to college can be daunting without someone to help guide you.
With these newly allocated funds the state is taking steps towards demystifying
the process so that everyone has a fair shot at improving their future."
Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez said, "Tuition and college
costs can be a significant hurdle for working families and young people
seeking a college education. I am pleased to see these federal resources
go to community-based organizations that are dedicated to helping more
New Yorkers overcome financial barriers and obtain a college degree."
Congressman Joe Crowley said, "Making college more accessible is
fundamental to closing the opportunity gap that exists for our low-income
communities. At a time when rising tuition costs are hindering our youth
from pursuing higher education, these federal grants will go a long way
toward making sure students are not only taking advantage of any financial
assistance available to them but that they are also adequately prepared
for college entry. An investment in education is an investment in our
future and I thank Governor Cuomo and the New York State Higher Education
Services Corporation for making sure these support programs are there
for those who need them."
Congressman Brian Higgins said, "Financial barriers should never
dictate whether or not a student can pursue higher education. Western
New York is home to some of the best colleges and technical schools in
the nation, attracting students from around the world. It is important
that we provide as many resources as possible to first generation and
low income students to receive the financial assistance to apply, attend,
and advance at these institutions."
Congressman Paul Tonko said, "To secure economic prosperity for future
generations, college must be an opportunity to all Americans, instead
of just accessible to a privileged few. Here in the Capital Region and
across the nation, institutions like Excelsior College and Trinity Alliance
execute phenomenal programs that develop our communities and prepare New
Yorkers for the next step in their careers – but they need our support.
I thank Governor Cuomo for recognizing that quality and affordable access
to higher education is the key to a happy and successful life maintaining
a well-trained workforce in nationwide."
Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney said, "Each and every New Yorker
deserves the opportunity to further their education and achieve the American
dream. This investment for SUNY Orange removes barriers to a college education
that stop too many adults from achieving a college education, while growing
our middle class and boosting our economy."
About HESC: HESC is New York State's student financial aid agency that helps people
pay for college and a national leader in providing need based grant and
scholarship award money to college-going students. At HESC's core
are programs like the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), numerous state
scholarships, federal college access grants and a highly successful College
Savings program. HESC puts college within the reach of hundreds of thousands
of New Yorkers each year through programs like these and through the guidance
it provides to students, families and counselors. In 2013-14, HESC helped
more than 388,000 students achieve their college dreams by providing more
than $984 million in grants, scholarships and loan forgiveness benefits,
including $935.5 million awarded through the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).