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The Commission On Independent Colleges & Universities In Â鶹ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ (CICU)

CICU is a statewide association representing the public policy interests of more than 100 independent colleges and universities in Â鶹ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ State. Although not a government agency, CICU is an educational corporation formed under the Â鶹ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ State Regents. Its mission is to develop consensus among a diverse membership and to advance higher education public policy. The Commission coordinates its advocacy efforts with the Council of Governing Boards (CGB), a statewide association that represents the policy interests of more than 3,000 independent college and university trustees. .

Tell Â鶹ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ To Protect Student Aid And Reject Tap Cuts

The Federal Government's resistance to providing financial relief to states could jeopardize the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). The Â鶹ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) helps eligible Â鶹ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ residents pay tuition at approved schools in Â鶹ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ State. Depending on the academic year in which you begin study, an annual TAP award can be up to $5,165. Because TAP is a grant, it does not have to be paid back.

Because of the looming budget deficit and the Federal Government’s inaction to date to respond to projected state revenue shortfalls due to Covid-19, Â鶹ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½'s Higher Education Services Corporation recently announced that the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and other student aid programs could be cut by 20 percent because of projected state revenue shortfalls due to COVID-19.

For the neediest Â鶹ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ers, a 20% cut in TAP would mean a reduction in student aid of over $1,000. The Covid-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted working class Â鶹ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ers and communities of color; the same people that TAP helps. A cut will deepen that pain and could force thousands of low-income students to take out additional loans or modify their college plans.

There are potentially 1,715 Pace students who will be directly impacted by these cuts. For the Fall 2020 academic semester, we have 954 students approved for TAP and 815 students with pending TAP applications.

We need your help! Use this easy online tool to write to your Â鶹ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ State legislator to ask that they reject any proposed cuts to the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). Participate in CICU’s e-advocacy by visiting their website. Learn more about how to take action standing up for student aid.

#NextStopPace MTA Petition

Want to help Â鶹ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½? Pace plans to ask the MTA to revisit their "Legacy Policy" and ask for the school’s name to be included on signage and in announcements at the Fulton Street (2/3/4/5/A/C/J/Z) subway station. Currently, six other colleges in Â鶹ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ City have had their names added to subway stops, including Columbia University, NYU, CCNY, Hunter, Brooklyn, and Lehman Colleges. Get on the train and help Pace! #NextStopPace.

FAQ

Can I advocate for TAP if I do not receive it?
Yes! We encourage all Pace employees and students to join us to advocate for TAP to help Â鶹ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ students.

Can I sign the MTA Petition if I do not attend Pace's NYC campus?
Yes! All signatures are welcome. Having signage at the Fulton Street subway station will benefit the entire Pace community.

Additional questions can be directed to Madia Bestman, Program Coordinator, Public Affairs at mbestman@pace.edu.