Rutgers Students Head to Capitol Hill April 15 to Advocate for Increases in Federal Work Study, Other Aid Programs

Twenty Rutgers students, more than half of whom receive some form of need-based financial aid; Rutgers President Richard L. McCormick; members of New Jersey’s delegation in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives

Undergraduate Student Advocacy Day, a one-day trip by Rutgers students to Capitol Hill to advocate on behalf of students at Rutgers and throughout the nation for more robust federal financial aid programs that help needy students pay for college. Rutgers President McCormick will join them at several meetings.

WHEN/WHERE:

Tuesday, April 15

8:43 a.m.: Students depart Metropark, Woodbridge, on Amtrak #185

11:45 a.m.: Briefing Lunch, Hall of States Building, 444 North Capitol St., Washington, D.C.

1 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Capitol Hill meetings with members of the NJ Congressional Delegation (specifics TBA)

For the ninth year, a contingent of Rutgers students will meet with federal lawmakers on Capitol Hill about an issue concerning themselves and their peers: providing ample federal funding for need-based aid programs, such as Pell Grants that affect their ability to pay for college. This year, students will alert lawmakers to the need to increase funding for the Federal Work Study Program (FWSP), which helps with college expenses and provides work opportunities that enrich students’ academic experiences. Decreasing FWSP funds must be allocated to larger numbers of students, meaning fewer work hours and less earnings, even as need grows. Since 2001-02, Rutgers has lost more than $600,000 for FWSP.