Students at private institutions like Elizabethtown College often must consider the high costs that contrast those of technical schools or their public-school counterparts. In some cases, the fear can sway people away from attending a college that could have a good program or suit their needs. One way that private colleges attempt to aid those students with financial need is by being a part of associations that can advocate for their needs and get greater funding from the state and federal government.
Etown is a part of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP) alongside universities such as Allegheny College, Westminster College, Bucknell University, Muhlenberg College, King’s College, Messiah University, Brynn Mawr College and many other colleges throughout the state.
The 90 schools in this group have a significant impact across the state. Forty-six percent of all low income, Pell-eligible students seeking a bachelor’s degree and 54% of all minority students seeking a bachelor’s degree attend these schools. Economically, the school’s supported 195,525 jobs in Pennsylvania and generated $1.1 billion in state and local taxes. For volunteering, as Etown especially values, students and staff at these schools contribute over 5 million hours of community service per year.
AICUP holds a yearly “Day on the Hill,” which this year will happen on April 25, in which students from those private intuitions gather at the capitol building in Harrisburg, Pa. and advocate on both their college’s behalf and on behalf of the programs that financially support the students. The day goes from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with events including the student legislative meetings and the AICUP press conference where students get the chance to give speeches. It centers on giving college students, and those with passion for education, politics or funding, a chance to be involved in the changes happening around them. Their goal this year is to double the amount that the Pell grant offers students, and such a raise would give way to more students attending private institutions and would make community college free for all students. It would benefit all sectors of higher education.
Plenty has been accomplished by these efforts over the years. Generally, it has increased the amount of money students can receive and keep. The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) that distributes the PA state grants means better equality for students who want to attend private institutions but do not wish to be in great debt. Students are then more able to complete their degree in a timely manner and find jobs in their field.
While the current year’s talking points are not out yet, in prior years, students were advised to tell their own story and focus on the Pennsylvania-specific grants and scholarships. Students this year who have an interest in the event will get the chance the week of March 20 to speak with representatives and prepare themselves for the event. If students are not available during that time, they will be told what has been said during that meeting and use that to their benefit during the larger event.
Etown Senior Assistant Director of Financial Aid and Campus Coordinator Jocelyn Martin believes that students should participate because it encourages their skills in “advocacy for sure as they are speaking up for something that is important. It is a safe environment because [the campus coordinators] are there to help students. Most students who are interested in participating are already very persuasive in speech although this opportunity allows them to fine tune that skill as well.” As the campus coordinator, she serves to promote the event, provide students with their talking points, schedule meetings and transport the students.
Students who are interested should reach out to Martin at martinjocelyn@etown.edu and express interest as well as ask any additional questions they may have.
