Student Response to CARES Act
Federal Letter
May 11, 2020
We, the undersigned representatives, recognize the immediate relief the CARES Act provided while calling upon our elected officials to support the long term needs of students, viability of student work, and the guarantee of state support of post-secondary education.
As college campuses closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students lost more than access to libraries and lecture halls; they lost jobs, homes, and the resources to support their everyday lives. Income earned by students is crucial: 43% of full-time students and 81% of part-time students report being employed. Coronavirus layoffs are disproportionately impacting Americans between 16 and 24 years old as students lose the jobs they rely on to make ends meet.
The CARES Act, while invaluable for institutions, left behind the majority of America’s students by omitting dependents older than 17 years who represent the 18.4 million college enrolled students. As students transition into the summer unable to find part time jobs or internships, they no longer have access to the CARES Act money stipulated for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations. The closure of campuses, lack of opportunities to generate income, and general economic uncertainty require action.
We strongly urge our representatives in Washington to consider:
An Emergency Student Recovery Benefit: A cash transfer directed to financially eligible college students would alleviate pressures to pay rents, loans and necessities while directly injecting money into the American economy.
A Student Service Grant: Given the need to find employment away from campus, students who find employment despite hazardous conditions should be matched with federal grants towards their future education.
State Commitment of Effort Stipulations: As the economic implications of lockdown policies fully manifest, state governments have and will continue to be strained. To foster collaboration, states should continue to be expected (with emergency exceptions) to match a percentage of prior years investment in order to receive federal funding.
Extending support to students is a critical step in maintaining commitment to higher education and ensuring resilience as our country and economy reopen.
Sincerely,
Joseph Anderson, President, Cornell Student Assembly
Austin Ostro, President, The State University of New York (SUNY) Student Assembly
Timothy Hunter, Chairperson, The City University of New York (CUNY) University Student Senate
Anika Aftab, President, Rochester Institute of Technology Student Government
Boem Joon Baek, President, Columbia College Student Council
Casey Smith, President, Tompkins Cortland Student Government
Justine Hastings, President, Syracuse Student Association
Justyna Gorka, President, University of Rochester Students’ Association
Lawson Castaldo, President, Niagara University Student Government Association
Raj Kittusamy, President, New York University Student Government Assembly
Robert Russel, President, Hobart Student Government
Rudaba Ahmed, President, Student Association at State University of New York at Plattsburgh
Tommy Keith, President, Hamilton College Student Assembly
Ani Freedman, Vice President, William Smith Congress
Austin Ruffino, Senator, Ithaca College Student Governance Council
Michael Lilholt, Vice President of Student Affairs, St. John Fisher College’s Student Government Association
Abii-Tah Bih, President, Michigan State University
Anagha Kikkeri, President, University of Texas Student Government
Anjali Patel, President, Ramapo College Student Government Association
Anthony Joseph, President, The Student Assembly of William & Mary
Anthony Polcari, President, Richmond College Student Government Association
Austyn Ramsay, President, University of Rhode Island’s Student Senate
Brandon Henderson, President, University of Missouri-Kansas City Student Government Association
Chantell Armijo Cruz, President, The College of St. Scholastica
Claire Mitchell, President, University of South Florida
Curtis Cohen, President, Washington State University
Dakshatha Daggala, President, Baruch College Undergraduate Student Government
Hafzat Akanni, President, Boston University
Harriet Amofah, President, Georgia Gwinnett College Student Government Association
Jasmine Khademakbari, President, University of Houston Student Government Association
Julia Nall, President, University of Arkansas Associated Student Government
Kendall Archer, President, President, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Monica Aguilera, President, LSU Alexandria Student Government
Truman Fritz, President, University of Southern California Undergraduate Student Government
New York State Letter
June 15, 2020
We, the undersigned representatives, recognize the COVID-19 relief efforts of Governor Andrew Cuomo, the New York State Senate, and the New York State Assembly thus far, while calling upon our state government to support the needs of students.
As college campuses closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic across New York state, students lost more than access to libraries and lecture halls; they lost jobs, their ability to pay for housing, and the resources to support their everyday lives. Income earned by students is crucial: 43% of full-time students and 81% of part-time students reported being employed prior to the pandemic. Coronavirus layoffs are disproportionately impacting New York residents, with students losing the jobs they rely on to make ends meet.
Simultaneously, the New York State Division of the Budget has announced that the initial budget control actions outlined in the Fiscal Year 2021 Enacted State Budget Financial Plan will reduce state spending by $10.1 billion. We recognize this dilemma, however, acknowledge an investment in students now will lead to greater prosperity for New York State in the future.
We strongly urge our representatives in Albany to consider:
A Public Hearing on the Needs of Students: New York students have been uniquely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. A virtual public hearing will enable collaboration between elected student representatives and government officials in Albany.
A Rent Relief Fund For Students: Given the enormous loss of income that has come as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential that New York students have access to a student specific rent relief fund to enable their future academic success.
Emergency Support for eligible DACA student recipients: While excluded from CARES Act funds under Title IV of the Higher Education Act, eligible students should be granted financial assistance by New York State through a subsidized loan program specifically developed to assist students that fall under the New York State DREAM Act.
Continued Funding for TAP, EOP, and Excelsior Scholarships: As students are further economically disadvantaged by the COVID-19 pandemic, New York State should match last year’s higher education funding for TAP, EOP, and Excelsior scholarships.
Extending support to all students is a critical step in maintaining commitment to higher education and ensuring resilience as New York State and its economy reopens.
Sincerely,
Joseph Anderson, President, Cornell Student Assembly
Austin Ostro, President, The State University of New York (SUNY) Student Assembly
Timothy Hunter, Chairperson, The City University of New York (CUNY) University Student Senate
Casey Smith, President, Tompkins Cortland Student Government
Justine Hastings, President, Syracuse Student Association
Justyna Gorka, President, University of Rochester Students’ Association
Lawson Castaldo, President, Niagara University Student Government Association
Austin Ruffino, Senator, Ithaca College Student Governance Council
Rudaba Ahmed, President, Student Association at State University of New York at Plattsburgh
Tommy Keith, President, Hamilton College Student Assembly
Amarachi Iheanyichukwu, President, Colgate University Student Government Association
Michael Lilholt, Vice President of Student Services, St. John Fisher College Student Government Association
Patrick Kohn, President, St. John’s University Student Government
Support Broadband Connectivity for College Students in Need
"We, as representatives of the Cornell Student Assembly, affirm our support for the Supporting Connectivity for Higher Education Students in Need Act, a bill which would establish an Emergency Higher Education Connectivity Fund to assist in providing today’s students with much needed broadband access. Cornell’s Office of Student Government Relations represents a diverse student body from across the country and is committed to promoting equity in higher education access during this time. The Supporting Connectivity for Higher Education Students in Need Act would provide a much-needed boost to students’ educational needs.“
New York State Response
Find more New York State resources here:
Economic Impact of COVID19
Students, as all other Americans, will be tremendously impacted by the virus and its subsequent response. To help this population and the large economy more needs to be.
