Advocacy Week 2021

Every successful individual knows that his or her achievement depends on a community of persons working together

Advocacy Week

Advocacy Week – February 22nd – 25th

Michael Molina Letter on Advocacy Week 2021

Dear Colleague:

Thank you to all institutions that participated in the APACS/Student Aid Alliance Advocacy Days this week. Our meetings with legislators, your letter writing, and social media posts helped to make those days successful!

To continue our advocacy campaign, February 22nd – 25th will be APACS Advocacy Week for the first time in our history. Similarly to Advocacy Days, all advocacy will be entirely virtual, and we are prepared to match you, your students, families, alumni and supporters with appointments to meet with legislators via our zoom platform.

In keeping with Speaker Heastie’s commitment to double the funding of opportunity programs, we ask for a 20% increase in STEP and CSTEP funding this year.

STEP and CSTEP programs have not received an increase in funding for five years!
STEP and CSTEP have a proven track record of success! A pandemic has not interfered with serving our students!

ADVOCATE: Meet with legislators!

Register with our Advocacy Committee – click here.
Our Advocacy committee members will reach out to all institutions via email confirming appointment times and zoom links.
Be prepared to have minimally 2-3 representatives (students, families, alumni, supporters) from your program.

ADVOCATE: Send letters directly to local and state legislators!

Access link to send electronic letters – click here.
Share this link with all students and everyone in your network!

Ask your Legislator to Increase funding to support CSTEP and STEP by 20%

We need your help to ask legislators to increase funding for the CSTEP and STEP Programs by 20%.

Please use this easy online tool to write to your local legislator and legislative leaders, and ask that they increase support for CSTEP and STEP by 20% of the current level of funding. CSTEP and STEP are undergraduate and precollege programs that prepare students for careers in STEM, health, and licensed fields. Additional funding for the programs will allow us to serve more students and provide the academic and career-oriented resources that assists them in entering STEM, health, and licensed fields.

Please increase funding for the CSTEP and STEP Programs by 20%

As we navigate through an unprecedented time in our history, I want to thank you for your leadership through this extraordinary period.

I write to urge your support for increased funding for the Collegiate Science and Technology Program (CSTEP) and the Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) above the level-funding proposed in the fiscal year 2021-2022 Executive Budget. I ask that you continue the commitment to double New York State’s investment in the CSTEP and STEP programs. CSTEP and STEP help to produce future STEM, health, and licensed professionals. Please support increasing 2021-2022 funding levels for CSTEP and STEP by 20%.

While I appreciate the Governor’s commitment to provide educational opportunities for students throughout the state, CSTEP and STEP programs are nationally recognized and proven programs that address the regional shortage of professionals in STEM, health, and licensed fields. Funding for these important programs must be expanded if New York is to be prepared for the STEM-based economy of the future.

The CSTEP and STEP programs provide key academic support, training, internships and research opportunities, standardized test preparation, and support in applying to college and graduate and professional programs of study in STEM, health, and licensed professions. These services are necessary for my academic success, and expanding the state’s investment in these essential programs is an investment in me and my future.

As you deliberate this year’s budget, I urge you to support programs that work for New York State. CSTEP and STEP work for New York! Please increase CSTEP/STEP funding by 20% and continue the state’s investment in my future. Thank you.

ADVOCATE: Share your success stories on social media!

Follow us! @APACSORG Twitter and Instagram accounts.
Trend with us on Twitter and Instagram on Monday – Thursday, Feb. 22nd – 25th, 11:30AM – 12:30PM
- Use our hashtags: #STEPNY #CSTEPNY #APACSORG #StandUp4StudentAid
All students and families are encouraged to record and upload a brief video highlighting their STEP and CSTEP experience.
- Submit and be featured on APACS media accounts by using this form – click here.

Please spread the word. Encourage your family/school/work community to participate. The more people sharing their STEP/CSTEP stories and encouraging legislators to INCREASE FUNDING
#STEPNY #CSTEPNY #APACSORG #StandUp4StudentAid, the more powerful our voices will be!

Thank you for your continued support. Our destiny is in our hands!

Very truly yours,

Michael A. Molina

President, APACS, Inc.

Reminder: APACS Advocacy Committee members are coordinating the Advocacy Week registration. Please register with the committee to participate.

12,262

STEP Program Students Served

7,707

CSTEP Program Students Served