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Student Letter 2010
This page will allow students to advocate for restorations to CUNY's New York State funding.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: CUNY students need your help to restore funding to CUNY budget
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
As a registered voter and student at a CUNY College, I urge you to support CUNY and restore funding so that CUNY may continue to increase the number of full-time faculty, counselors and student services. Specifically,CUNY is facing an $84.4 million reduction to senior colleges. Community Colleges are also facing a serious cut of $285 per FTE base aid cut at a time when their enrollments are soaring.
More full-time faculty will improve my college experience and provide for the academic support services I need in order to receive a quality education. Additional aid will support CUNY's Campaign for Student Success Initiative. The program concentrates on hiring full-time faculty; enhanced student advisement and counseling services, and improving technology to be more student friendly.
I also ask you to restore cuts to the Tuition Assistance Program currently recommended in the State budget. The New York State budget proposes $177 million reduction to the Tuition Assistance Program. Financial aid is an important factor in the affordability of higher education. The proposed change to TAP that most affects CUNY is the $75 decrease in all TAP awards. This would affect almost 69,000 students at CUNY.
Another proposed change includes increasing academic standards and minimum credits earned in order to be eligible for TAP. This proposal penalizes working students and students with family obligations who cannot take on heavier course loads. Almost forty percent of CUNY students work at least 20 hours per week in addition to pursuing a college degree. Financial aid is an important factor in the affordability of higher education. I may have to drop out of college if these cuts are enacted.
Please help support CUNY. Thank you.
Sincerely,
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