College Now joins efforts to increase the Pell Grant
As one of the nine founding members of the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) in 1995, College Now has been a regular participant in NCAN’s efforts to connect with federal legislators in order to improve college access and affordability for underrepresented students.

Last week, College Now joined 88 other organizations from 31 states in virtual meetings with legislators or their staff members to encourage legislation within the pending stimulus bill that would double the Pell Grant, the federal, need-based aid awarded to millions of college students every year, including those who receive College Now scholarships.

When the Pell Grant was created in the early 1970s, the maximum award covered close to 80 percent of the cost of attendance at a public university. In 2020-21, the maximum award, $6,345, is expected to cover only 28 percent of the cost.

Together with a current College Now scholarship recipient and a College Now Board member, College Now staff spoke with staff members from the offices of Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Representative Anthony Gonzalez (R-Ohio), and Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) so that each could hear firsthand the enormous financial challenges so many college students face and the impact that increasing the Pell Grant would have on their educational journeys.

And, similarly, speaking of the burdens faced by many of the high school students served by College Now, the COVID-19 pandemic has made crystal clear the enormous gap in connectivity and technology. College Now hopes you will consider adding your support to the recently introduced Emergency Connectivity Fund, which will provide the FCC with support to help connect students to the internet by funding the purchase of equipment and services while their school buildings are closed or conducting a hybrid of in-person and virtual learning.
Register for tomorrow's Lunch with your Legislators conversation on student debt
Join four Ohio representatives tomorrow, July 31, at 11:00 a.m. on Facebook Live and Zoom as they discuss tackling the student debt crisis. Ohio Representative Sedrick Denson (D-Cincinnati, District 33), Representative Catherine Ingram (D-Cincinnati, District 32), Representative Brigid Kelly (D-Cincinnati, District 31), and Representative Jessica Miranda (D-Forest Park, District 28) will be joined by special guests Piet van Lier of Policy Matters Ohio, Julie Szeltner of College Now Greater Cleveland, and Jarrod Robinson of the Ohio Student Association.

Interested individuals can register and submit questions for the virtual event here.
College Now partners with MyCom to offer free summer boot camps
College Now has partnered with MyCom Cleveland to offer three, free online SAT test prep boot camps this summer. Each boot camp is a 16-hour course in which students will learn about and practice each section of the high-stakes college admissions exam. Over 90 students have already participated in boot camps this summer, and there is still an opportunity to register for the August courses!

August boot camps will be held on the following schedule:

  • Boot camp 1: August 3 - August 6, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
  • Boot camp 2: August 10 - August 13, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
  • Boot camp 3: August 24 - August 27, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm


Registration is required for boot camps and space is limited. As boot camps are virtual, internet access is required for participation. Students and families will be notified one week prior to the start of their selected session to confirm enrollment. Please email Jyl Rhoden with questions at jrhoden@collegenowgc.org.
Family input needed
Over this summer, nearly 700 students throughout Northeast Ohio participated in College Now summer programming opportunities in an effort to continue their path to postsecondary success. To help students continue to think about their college and career plans, College Now is looking for parent and family input on how to best serve students and families this school year during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Parents and families are asked to complete the Family Engagement Survey found here. This survey will help College Now shape future programming to support students in reaching their college and career goals.

Any questions can be directed to College Now by calling 216.241.5587 or texting the word TASSEL to 216.208.5866.
Support College Now with Amazon Smile
Are you shopping online now more than ever? Here’s a great way to benefit College Now while staying safe at home!
 
  1. Simply visit Amazon Smile and log into your account.
  2. If this is your first time on the site, select College Now as your charitable organization.
  3. 0.5% of your eligible purchases will be donated to College Now.
  4. Thank you for your support!
College Now Greater Cleveland
Post Office Plaza
1500 West 3rd Street, Suite 125
Cleveland, OH 44113
216.241.5587