APC Colleges 2010 TAP Campaign: Invest In Me!
Thank you for joining us as we urge state lawmakers to continue to invest in the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). As you may recall, we have faced cuts to TAP before, but none as serious as this year's proposed cuts, which are a direct hit to New York's educationally and economically disadvantaged students - the very students TAP was developed to assist. Make no mistake: the majority of our students will be negatively impacted by these proposals!
Together we must stand up and fight. Together we must remind our elected leaders that now is not the time to weaken the state's Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). TAP has proven to be a successful, beneficial program for hundreds of thousands of students. By investing in students, investing in effective programs such as TAP, we are investing in the future of New York.
With so many financial challenges in front of us, New York lawmakers must not forget about the students who, without TAP, would have no other way to continue their education and work to improve their lives. It is well documented that a high school degree is no longer enough. That is why we must continue to make sure TAP is available for students who need it the most, and we must keep working to fulfill our commitment to a more educated population - New York cannot excel without one.
Please take a few moments to fill out the information of the right hand side of this page and then click the "Send This Message" button to send this to Albany's legislative leaders. Thank you for participating in APC's 2010 TAP campaign!
Dear [ Decision Maker ],
With the last few days of session rapidly approaching and budget negotiations coming to a close, I am writing you and your legislative colleagues to stress the importance of the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).
TAP is an investment in New York students. It makes it possible for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers to afford college - and during tough financial times, TAP funding is even more essential. TAP can literally mean the difference between whether a student does or does not attend college.
While the Governor?s original budget proposal included many reductions to TAP, I am most concerned about the following:
o Reducing all TAP awards by $75; and
o Cutting the maximum TAP award for all students in two-year degree programs $5,000 to $4,000.
Please reject these two provisions - they deliver a one-two punch to educationally and economically disadvantaged students attending two-year degree institutions; these are the very students TAP was designed to aid in the first place!
If these proposals go forward, college will not be an option for many of New York's neediest students, primarily those who have the academic qualifications to attend college, but not the financial means.
In the past, you have always stood strong against proposed TAP cuts and for that I thank you. But make no mistake: we need your support this year more than any other. TAP is more than money for college. TAP is truly an investment in human capital with a high benefit-to-cost ratio that produces an end product: educated citizens. Once students graduate, they are able to get good jobs here in New York and become productive, taxpaying members of their communities.
Please restore the proposed TAP cuts - investing in our students is one of the best investments we can make.
Many thanks for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]
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