By Catherine Brown, Senior Director, Policy and Advocacy
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The National College Attainment Network (NCAN) is heartbroken to learn that in recent days AmeriCorps college access and success programs across the country have received notice that they are being shut down effective immediately. We are still gathering information about the impact of this devastating move by the Trump Administration but have confirmed that programs from Georgia to Ohio to Michigan to Washington have seen
their entire college counselor programs canceled with no notice. NCAN is aware of more than 100 organizations that use AmeriCorps members for postsecondary access and success work.
This abrupt cancellation is not only inhumane to the Corps members who have poured their hearts and souls into this vital work throughout the year, but to students from low-income communities who are counting on their counselors to help them navigate
the complex college admissions and enrollment process. With college decision day just around the corner, students are in the throes of making life-altering decisions about their post-secondary education. This is not the time to kneecap the college
navigation and support eco-system nationwide. "There is no doubt in my mind that fewer students will go to college in the coming years if these programs terminate,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, Executive Director of the Michigan College Access Network,
in a moving video.
AmeriCorps members dedicate a year or more of their lives to addressing vital needs in their communities. In exchange, they are paid a small stipend that barely covers their living expenses. The public benefits the most, receiving as much as $34 in economic return for every $1 invested in the program.
NCAN honors the service of Corps members and sends our deep gratitude for their commitment to helping our country. They deserved so much better than the treatment they are receiving from the Trump Administration.
If your program has been impacted by these cuts, we encourage you to take two immediate steps at this time:
Contact your Members of Congress to impress upon them how much
these programs matter to your community and their constituents.
Contact your state national service commission to encourage them to appeal this decision. State commissions need to appeal these decisions by Friday to be considered.
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