St. Scholastica Day at the Capitol is February 25, 2009 (Community Day)

During the past school year, one out of every three undergraduates at St. Scholastica qualified for a State Grant, with an average award of about $3,500. The State Grant Program is built on the principle that students, parents, and federal and state taxpayers all have an interest -- and a role -- in helping our citizens attend the college program that best meets their needs. Tuition and fees have been going up at all colleges and universities, both public and private.

St. Scholastica works with other private colleges in Minnesota to advocate for the State Grant Program. Students, faculty, and staff will be traveling to the Capitol in St. Paul on Wednesday, February 25 for St. Scholastica Day at the Capitol. We hope you will join our efforts to inform state lawmakers about students' financial aid needs by attending our Day at the Capitol (learn more below).

If you'd like more information on Day at the Capitol go to:

http://www.mnprivatecolleges.org/events/day.php

For more information on the State Grant Program, click here:

http://www.mnprivatecolleges.org/userFiles/File/Policy/need-based_aid_backgr.pdf

And if you'd like to receive Action Alerts regarding critical legislative decisions, please sign up at http://ga6.org/mnprivatecolleges/join.tcl?theme=College%20of%20Saint%20Scholastica

Thanks, in advance, for getting involved - it will benefit more than 800 undergraduates at St. Scholastica, as well as their counterparts at other colleges. In the end, all of Minnesota will benefit, as we prepare an educated work force to meet the challenges of the future. Feel free to contact Angie Johnson (ajohnso3@css.edu or 218/723-6185) or Vicky Bass (vbass@css.edu) for more information.

St. Scholastica students Kyle Heffner and Taylor Johnson attended Day at the Capitol in February 2008.   (Photo by Alissa Kaake)

What is the State Grant Program?

The State Grant Program, which provides millions in financial aid, awards scholarships to 1 out of 3 students at CSS. In the last academic year, more than 71,000 low- and middle-income Minnesota students received a State Grant, including about 10,000 private college and university students. More than 90 percent of these students were from families with incomes less than $60,000 per year. Minnesota students who are enrolled in an undergraduate program at a public or private college in Minnesota can qualify for a Minnesota State Grant to help with their college expenses.

Need-based awards, through the State Grant Program, should grow. But that won't happen if we don't make the case with legislators.

Come to Day at the Capitol in 2009 to lobby for the State Grant, meet current legislators, hear from key lawmakers, and much more. There is no cost to attend and you get free transportation, breakfast, and lunch! Save the date:  St. Scholastica's Day at the Capitol is February 25. Learn first-hand about the legislative process -- and speak up for students!

For more information on the State Grant Program or Day at the Capitol, contact Angie Johnson (ajohnso3@css.edu or 218/723-6185) or Vicky Bass (vbass@css.edu).