Over the past year, NCAN members from a geographically diverse group of states participated in a dedicated opportunity to bolster their advocacy capacity and engagement. Together, NCAN and our members were involved in a crucial set of policy discussions
in service of our shared mission to close equity gaps in postsecondary educational attainment.
As NCAN’s second cohort of member advocates, these outstanding organizations worked diligently to expand their capacity to lead advocacy efforts. Our member advocates thoughtfully provided substantive issue education to lawmakers on policy priorities,
such as the need to simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the importance of a robust Pell Grant program.
Additionally, this group of advocates furthered college access and success priorities at the local and state levels. Some of the policy areas they focused on were increasing FAFSA completion and
support for students via need-based aid. They also developed policy publications, wrote impactful advocacy pieces, and coordinated students to engage with their legislators.
Ultimately, their efforts had – and will continue to have – great impact on college access, affordability, and success. This short write-up is not exhaustive of their contributions and successes. NCAN would like to congratulate and praise this cohort
of advocates (see table of participating members below).
Leading On Advocacy
NCAN’s premier advocacy engagement is our annual coordinated training event held in Washington, D.C. In early March, NCAN convened a total of 136 advocates
(85 professionals and 51 students) from 55 member organizations. This was NCAN’s last in-person event of 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the engagement was a success full with collaborative interaction.
During the event, two student advocates shared their stories about accessing postsecondary education and financial aid, as well as their goals for the future (first student story and second student story).
Thank you to the students who participated with NCAN member organizations Denver Scholarship Foundation and Partnership for the Future.
You can read more about the individual student experience at NCAN’s advocacy training via Woodward Hines Education Foundation’s blog.
Following NCAN’s advocacy training, the COVID-19 public health crisis prompted the declaration of a national emergency. As the pandemic’s severity continued unabated, NCAN focused its advocacy on the Pell Grant and organized a #DoublePell Virtual Advocacy Week in July. The training sessions, as part of the engagement, prepared our members for NCAN's first-ever virtual advocacy event. In all, 172 NCAN members and students participated, representing 89 organizations from 31 states.
Leading on Policy
Responding to the pandemic presented immense challenges for our advocates as they worked to address the urgent needs of their students and maintained leadership on substantial advocacy efforts.
In the words of our grantees: “The greatest challenges encountered in our advocacy efforts were [our plans] that were changed or canceled due to COVID-19.” Additionally, “…COVID has certainly made it harder to focus on policy work outside of [our local
area]. We are stretched thinner than we have ever been.”
But the advocates persevered and maintained efforts. Here are just a couple examples of their initiatives:
LeadMN, an organizing association for Minnesota’s community college students, led FAFSA completion advocacy by developing a suite of resources for students and informational briefs for
use in coordinated campaigns.
Arizona College Access Network released a policy brief to advocate for greater student supports and, in partnership with the Arizona Department
of Education, hosted a virtual statewide event to promote FAFSA completion and highlight student voices.
Student Voice
Our members repeatedly demonstrate the power of student-led advocacy. They show that an authentic integration of support and advocacy training can prepare students to advocate for themselves. As examples, here are some of the student stories captured
during the grant period.
Student members of Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America (LEDA) produced two stories on how higher education systems can better support first-generation and unocumented students.
A student member of Operation Jump Start explained why doubling the Pell Grant is critical amid this global pandemic.
Arizona College Access Network created a student story series in light of the pandemic.
Additionally, LEDA hosted a session at NCAN’s 2020 National Conference about how to effectively engage students in advocacy, and students spoke on their experience participating in a robust advocacy program.
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