Meng Introduces Community College Student Success Act

Statement

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) announced today that she introduced the Community College Student Success Act, which seeks to ensure that under-resourced public community colleges with high percentages of low-income and minority students, have the necessary funding to develop and implement support services that help students thrive and graduate.

The goal of the legislation is to replicate nationwide the proven success of the City University of New York's (CUNY) Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP). This acclaimed initiative, which CUNY launched in 2007 at its then six community colleges, helps students earn associate degrees within three years by offering a range of financial, academic, and personal assistance. The program has been found to consistently double the graduation rates of participating students.

Specifically, Meng's legislation would provide:

Academic Advising: Advisors would provide ongoing academic and personal advising to students including helping to clearly lay out a three-year graduation plan and creating strong transfer pathways for students interested in continuing their education.

Academic and Career Support: Students on academic probation or those have been referred to developmental courses would be required to meet weekly with a tutor. Students would also meet with an on-campus career counselor or participate in career services events at least once a semester to promote career planning and success.

Financial Support: Students would receive a tuition waiver to cover the gap between tuition and fees and financial aid. Additionally, students satisfying all of the above meeting requirements would receive a financial incentive, such as a gas card or pass for transportation, at least once per month.

"Community colleges play a critical role in American higher education," said Congresswoman Meng. "Of the over 40 percent of undergraduates who are enrolled at community colleges across the United States, a large portion are first-generation, low-income college students, and half are from minority communities. Unfortunately, many of the institutions they attend are under-resourced. In addition, access to college means little without degree completion. That is why I am proud to reintroduce the Community College Student Success Act, which is a holistic, student-centered approach to ensuring that community college students have the financial, academic, and career support they need to obtain their degree. If Congress truly values the importance of educating our next generation, we must increase our investment in these colleges and the students they serve. Everybody deserves a quality education, no matter their background, because education is a civil right."

According to CUNY, ASAP has served more than 46,000 students over 12 years and has an average three-year graduation rate of 53.4% vs. 25% for matched comparison group students. Additionally, ASAP students transfer to baccalaureate programs and earn their bachelor's degrees at higher rates than non-ASAP students.

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