April 23–25, 2014

First National Conference

Where: the Renaissance Chicago North Shore Hotel

Please watch for call for presentations and registration details. All welcome.

Email Gloria Nemerowicz for more details.

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March 22–23, 2013

4th Annual Membership Meeting

Where: on the campus of Paul Quinn College, Dallas, Texas

Email Gloria Nemerowicz for more details.

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July 1, 2012

Yes We Must Takes on Issue of Retroactive Reduction in Pell-eligibility Time Limit

As of July 1, the time limit for receiving Pell grant support for attending college was reduced from 18 semesters to 12 semesters. As students have been receiving word from the DOE that they are no longer eligible, our colleges are scrambling to measure the magnitude of the impact and to counsel their students who never saw this coming. These are often students who spent considerable time in community college and are now pursuing a bachelor's degree. They are often first generation and students of color whose paths to college have been rocky. Many are entering their senior year but with no Pell, they will drop out. We know this is not the intention, but it is going to be the result. The EdTrust estimates that 100,000 currently enrolled students are being negatively impacted for academic year 2012-13.

We understand the battle that has gone on to preserve Pell at a higher level and greatly appreciate those efforts. It is the retroactive nature of this change that is unfair to students who thought they were following the rules and they were. 

The President and others have spoken out loud and clear about stopping the doubling of interest rates on student loans. But for the retroactive implementation of a time limit change that is so punishing to thousands of students who are finally nearing completion, there seems to have been no public discussion. Can't the new time rule be phased in so that the new rules are known, by both schools and students, when students begin their academic career? Can we at least consider grandfathering those who are within three semesters of completing a bachelor’s degree? 

To learn what you can do, contact Gloria Nemerowicz.

 

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March 23–24, 2012

3rd Annual Meeting of Yes We Must Coalition Members

Where: on the campus of College of St. Mary, Omaha, Nebraska

 

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April 2, 2012

Roundtable Discussion with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan

Where: at the White House, Washington, DC

Yes We Must Coalition members only.

For information contact Gloria Nemerowicz