 |
|
THERE'S STILL TIME TO HELP UNCF
BUILD BETTER FUTURES
DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
|
|
UNCF reminds you that HBCUs and their students matter. Now more than ever is the time to come together to invest in a quality education for African American students. For decades, UNCF has represented countless students in need of funding for college whether it's through scholarships or operational support of UNCF 37 member HBCUs. Recent data shows 39 percent of students who enrolled in HBCUs in the fall did not return to college the following year - due in part to lack of financial resources. Financial assistance can make the difference between a student dropping out of college or graduating with a degree and entering the increasingly competitive workforce.
There is still time to donate during Black History Month.
Click here to liste
n to UNCF President and CEO Dr. Michael Lomax and UNCF scholarship recipient Siera Grace Toney discuss the Build Better Futures Campaign and how your donation can make a difference.
|
FEWER RESOURCES, MORE DEBT: LOANS BURDEN STUDENTS AT HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
|
|
|
|
Students who attend historically black colleges and universities borrow student loans at higher rates and, consequently, graduate with substantially higher debt than their peers attending non-HBCUs even though HBCUs cost less. But federal policy changes could help HBCU students lighten their debt load, according to a new report released by UNCF's Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute.
"Fewer Resources, More Debt: Loan Debt Burdens Students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities" examines the rates, amounts, and distribution of student loan debt among HBCU students relative to their non-HBCU peers at other four-year public and private, non-profit institutions. For instance, in 2012, a quarter of HBCU graduates borrowed $40,000 or more in federal loans, four times the rate of their non-HBCU peers who borrowed the same amount. Additionally, this report places the findings into the broader context of the types of students served at HBCUs to help better understand the factors that impact HBCU students' need to borrow and their challenges in repaying their loans. These include the racial wealth gap, unmet financial need, the declining investment in higher education, and limited institutional resources.
"The evidence in this report is clear: pursuing a college degree comes at a far higher cost for HBCU students. At a time when the nation needs new college-educated African Americans, this heavy debt burden undermines the success of not only HBCU students, but also the entire country. UNCF awards $100 million each year in need-based student scholarships to address the financial obstacles that HBCU students - primarily first-generation, low-income students - confront. We are doing our part. Now, the country must invest, so that HBCU students can earn their degrees with more resources and less debt." said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, UNCF's CEO and president.
Click
here
to read the full report.
|
UNCF LAYS GROUNDWORK TO ADVANCE AGENDA WITH
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESS
|
For 73 years, UNCF, as a non-partisan organization, has worked across the aisle with presidents and members of Congress of all political persuasions toward a common goal: ensuring that African American students have the opportunity to successfully go to college and that historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), which for 150 years have provided college opportunities for these students, not only survive, but thrive.
In addition, UNCF and other African American organizations participated in a "listening session" hosted by the Trump transition team Jan. 4, during which members of the transition team learned about key concerns of African American leaders and organizations.
The White House has announced that it will convene a meeting with HBCU presidents,and UNCF and member presidents will also participate in a
Congressional HBCU FLY-IN hosted by Rep. Mark Walker (R-NC) and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) during which HBCU presidents will share information about the history, value and important role HBCUs play in the nation's higher education community and how Congress can provide support.
W
e hope that President Trump and Congress will make it a national priority to make a college education more accessible and affordable to more Americans to create the diverse, college-educated workforce that the nation needs to compete globally. Click here to read full statement about UNCF's effort to advance the HBCU agenda with the Trump Administration and Congress.
|
|
THE LEGACY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. CELEBRATED AT UNCF EVENTS AROUND THE NATION
|
UNCF celebrated the life and achievements of civil rights icon, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with events across the nation. During these events, the contributions of Dr. King, a graduate of UNCF-member institution Morehouse college were recognized with celebrations in cities across the country, including Washington, Detroit, New York and Minneapolis. Please
click here to view photos from the events.
|
|
"Everyone should be able to attend college. That's why, for more than 70 years, we have made it our business to help students get a higher education, which leads to better jobs and overall well-being.
This is why your support matters."
Dr. Michael L. Lomax
Click below to follow Dr. Lomax on Twitter
|
|
|
A GRADUATION BOOST: NEW SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM ENABLES 37 STUDENTS TO PAY FINAL COLLEGE FEES AND GET THEM ACROSS THE FINISH LINE
|
|
Thirty-seven recent college graduates were recently announced as inaugural recipients of the UNCF Achievement Capstone Program, each receiving a $2,500 award to pay an unmet undergraduate balance or finance an advanced degree.
The new program, administered by UNCF and underwritten by the National Achievement® Scholarship Program, conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), honors and grants financial assistance to high-achieving, underrepresented college graduates at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and predominantly black institutions (PBIs) in the United States.
"The award money that I'm receiving from UNCF is an investment in my future, and those who donate to support African American students can see a return on that investment in me," said Shaw University graduate Jordan Galloway, who is pursuing his Ph.D. in chemistry and chemical biology at the University of California, Merced. Read more...
|
|
ATLANTA UNCF MAYOR'S MASKED BALL SETS RECORD, GARNERS CELEBRITY SUPPORT FOR HBCU STUDENT SCHOLARS
|
|
|
The 33rd annual UNCF Mayor's Masked Ball raised more than $1.3 million for HBCU students, the highest total since the event started in 1983. Singer Tyrese Gibson pledged $25,000 and Usher Raymond, Young Jeezy, Future and Ludacris followed his lead, each with $25,000 pledges.
More than 1,500 people attended the fundraising gala at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. Mayor Kasim Reed and UNCF President and CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax, UNCF Executive Vice President Maurice Jenkins and UNCF Regional Development Director Justine Boyd were hosts. Brannigan Thompson, senior vice president, Voya Financial and Donta' Wilson, senior executive vice president and chief client experience officer, BB&T were honorary co-chairs.
"We are excited and filled with gratitude for all who supported our 33rd annual ball. A milestone was reached raising more than ever before at $1.3 million for HBCU students. We thank Mayor Kasim Reed and the citizens of Atlanta and our corporate sponsors who are to be commended for helping us to make this the best year ever in support of our 37 UNCF- member colleges and universities, four of which are right here in Atlanta," said Boyd.Click here to view photos and video footage |
UNCF
1805 7th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
