Peirce College Participates in the 2019 Student Aid Advocacy Day

Last week, more than 200 students from 40 different colleges and universities rallied together in support of student aid in private higher education for Student Aid Advocacy Day, organized by The Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP).

Photo credit to AICUP

At this advocacy event, students showed their passion and dedication to protecting the maximum PHEAA Grant award that has helped so many of them and others achieve their educational goals. The grant has been cut in the past and this event was designed to show political leaders how these cuts have impacted and will continue to impact current and future students’ lives.

Peirce College took part in this rally with representation from one of Peirce’s PHEAA Grant recipient students, Nazia Bibi. Nazia is a current Information Technology student who is set to graduate in June 2019. She decided to go on behalf of Peirce College to not only discuss how the PHEAA Grant has helped her finish her degree, but also to represent the 385 other Peirce students who attend Peirce with the help of this grant.

Nazia said, “For me personally, PHEAA filled the gap of financial need so I could keep my focus completely on my education and not worry or stress about the monetary aspect of it.” She further added, “PHEAA is not just about funding students’ current educational goals; it’s also an investment in their future.”

Following the initial rally where three students from Lebanon Valley College, Seton Hill University and Susquehanna University spoke directly to the crowd in support of student aid, students were encouraged to speak directly to their state representative and other leaders who may be able to assist in strengthening this grant’s future.

Photo credit to AICUP

While at the event, Nazia made sure her representative, Congressman Brendan Boyle, had plenty of information about Peirce College, where her PHEAA Grant went directly to help fulfill her bachelor’s degree dreams. Following this, Nazia, along with Amanda Hill, Peirce’s Director of Marketing and Communications, AICUP President Tom Foley, and AICUP Vice President of Government Relations Nichole Duffy, all spoke with Pennsylvania State Senator and Vice Chairman of the PHEAA Board Wayne Fontana. The group collaboratively explained the importance of PHEAA, how they have seen it change individuals’ lives, and why it is important to maintain and increase funding.

These conversations are how change is made and lives are improved. Peirce College is honored to have been represented by Nazia Bibi at the Student Aid Advocacy Day who so bravely spoke for not only herself, but many other students who benefit every day from student aid.