Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Catania Aims to Expand College Access

The D.C. Committee on Education held a public hearing Wednesday morning regarding the Councilmember David Catania’s (I-At Large) (SFS ’90, LAW ’94) D.C. Promise Establishment Act of 2013, which seeks to increase access to a college education for low-income students.
Approximately 45 witnesses and D.C. public school students attended the hearing, as well as representatives from a number of local organizations that expressed support for the bill. Among them was Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce Director Anthony Carnevale.
“Tuition assistance programs for low-income public school students are vital. Increasingly, post-secondary education is the arbiter on success and wealth acquisition in the job market,” Carnevale said. “College is the perfect tool for workforce development. We must try to help as many promising students access this important bill.”
The D.C. Promise Establishment Act would allow eligible students to access up to $20,000 annually or a total of $100,000 over five years of college.
“There is a distinct need for post-secondary education here, but many D.C. families’ finances simply don’t allow for it,” College Success Foundation Co-Founder Bob Craves said. “This [bill] opens so many doors for this city’s youth and betters our District with the infusion of young skilled professionals.”
In particular, Roque Gerald, the director of Washingtonians for Children, an organization that helps children leave the foster care system, described the logistical difficulties that lower income students face during their college education, difficulties that expand past simply tuition costs. For example, students must pay for room, board and food, in addition to other overhead costs.
“Once many lower-income students reach university, they struggle with room and board, food plans and acclimating to their new environment. Unfortunately, not enough resources are made available to them there – the support just stops,” Gerald said. “Once dorms close, we should be looking for a program for low-income students on our tuition-aid program to be able to stay on campus, like foreign students, and we should also have a liaison on many campuses to help them adjust.”
KIPP College Support Manager Tamika Harrison echoed this sentiment. According to Harrison, students drop out of college largely due to financial issues, rather than academic or social problems.
“Kids can’t juggle multiple jobs, struggle to eat and still succeed at school – and these are the kids who actually managed to get to college,” Harrison said. “This bill makes sure that our youth can attend the most competitive college that they were accepted to, not just the most affordable option.”
Other attendees shared personal stories and perspectives on the bill. Washington Latin Public Charter School Director of College Counseling Crys Latham described her difficult path toward and through college.
“I’m a first generation college student, and I’ve been homeless at times precisely because a proper support system didn’t exist,” Latham said. “I applaud this committee and this bill for steering funds away from non-profit institutions and for your interest and dedication in this city’s future leaders.” 

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