By Andy Murphy '17
Students in Siena College’s Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) joined more than 800 other college students and administrators at the New York State Capitol in Albany earlier this month to advocate for student aid.
Advocacy Day is an annual event that allows students to share stories about the value of student aid with policy makers.
“Despite the different backgrounds and experiences, when we came together our goal was the same. To support financial aid for students in New York,” said sociology major Khadijah Williams ’15.
Over the past four decades, more than five million students have received federal aid benefits.
“My dreams of becoming a professional in the mental health field are possible thanks to financial aid,” said psychology major Melany Rodriguez ’14.
Programs such as the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), Science and Technology Entry Programs (STEP/C-STEP) and the Liberty Partnerships Program (LPP) are just a few examples of programs that help students from New York afford college.
Along with Rodriguez and Williams, Siena students Susana Diaz ’15, Courtney Houston ’16, Tamara Jackson ’16, Stephanie Martinez ’16 and Erwin Premchan ’17 participated in Advocacy Day, which is sponsored by the New York Student Aid Alliance.
Click here to learn more about Siena College's Higher Education Opportunity Program.
