Lately my e-mail inbox has been been getting filled with notices about reductions in financial aid. I am currently a full covered HEOP 4th year student. There are only a few “scholarships” that fund my education. TAP, the Tuition Assistance Program, is one of those biggest provider. They provide me with almost three thousand dollars in aid every year. This may seem little compared to the $33,000 cost of attendance; but every little bit counts. I cannot afford to pay this loss. So please, on behalf of yourself, the future students and your classmates, write to your legislator urging them to reject a mid-year reduction in TAP awards. This is very crucial! The article below provides a little more in-depth detail.
College Students are New York’s Best Investment
Act now to protect student financial aid from mid-year reductions
The mid-year budget cuts that have been proposed by Governor Paterson include, among other proposed cuts in higher education programs, a reduction of $120 in Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) awards for all current TAP recipients in this academic year. While we appreciate the serious financial difficulties facing New York State, we believe that college students should not have to shoulder this additional burden with a mid-year reduction in their financial aid support. More than 3,500 RIT students currently receive TAP awards. The proposal would reduce overall support to our students by over $400,000.
Although the Governor and Legislature have yet to agree on a mid-year budget reduction plan, it is likely that some mid-year cuts will be made when the Legislature returns to Albany again next week. Therefore, we need your help to ensure that the voices of our students and the RIT campus community are heard to protect against the proposed reduction in TAP awards. Now more than ever it is important for the State to invest in its future workforce as represented by our college students.
You can help by sending a message to your state elected officials via the following link: http://capwiz.com/cicu/home/, and urging them to reject a mid-year reduction in TAP awards.
Our legislators have always been very supportive of student financial aid, and specifically the TAP program. However, in light of the current budget situation it is important to remind them how important this program is and why it should remain a priority for the State. Please take a few minutes to voice your interest in this matter to your State legislators. Thank you.