Press Release
Community Service Society’s Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program Receives Lumina Foundation Grant to Help Tackle Student Debt Crisis
New York, NY — The Community Service Society of New York (CSS) is proud to announce that it has been awarded a grant from Lumina Foundation to amplify its Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP). This funding will enable EDCAP to build awareness, support, and capacity among national stakeholders, empowering other states to implement initiatives that address the needs of student loan borrowers and promote positive systemic change.
Created in 2019, EDCAP has become a leading program model for addressing the student debt crisis from a borrower perspective, providing direct consumer assistance to student loan borrowers in New York State.
The Unheard Third Survey by CSS highlights a troubling trend: despite higher education credentials, many individuals with student debt face severe financial hardships, questioning the return on their investment. This issue disproportionately affects communities of color and first-generation college students, who often incur substantial debt and face systemic barriers, exacerbating financial instability and perpetuating inequality.
"Our work at CSS has consistently shown that student debt is not just a financial issue but a significant barrier to economic stability and personal well-being," said David R. Jones, President and CEO of the Community Service Society. "CSS is renowned for developing program models, like EDCAP, that can be replicated and scaled. This grant from Lumina will allow us to build awareness among national stakeholders about these successful models and initiatives, addressing the needs of student loan borrowers and driving systemic change."
In announcing this work, Katie Berger, Lumina’s strategy director for federal policy, and Ernest Ezeugo, Lumina’s strategy officer for federal policy, emphasized the urgent need for change. "Student loan borrowers are confused and frustrated. They are juggling a host of financial obligations and navigating a complex repayment system with rapidly shifting rules. Shifting the status quo will be essential for creating a better-educated country and achieving Lumina’s vision for a fairer, more accessible higher education system" they wrote.
The partnership between CSS, Lumina, and the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association will also facilitate collaboration with state officials to develop scalable, sustainable support systems. This collaborative approach ensures that borrowers' voices are heard, and their needs are addressed, laying the groundwork for long-term solutions.
This initiative comes at a critical juncture as tens of millions of borrowers resume repayments amid a complex and often punitive system. By working together, we can help borrowers navigate their debt more effectively and restore trust in the value of higher education.
For more information about the Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program and how it can help you or someone you know, please visit https://cssny.us/edcap.
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About Community Service Society of New York
The Community Service Society of New York is dedicated to advocating for economic and social justice. CSS addresses the root causes of economic disparity through research, advocacy, and direct services, striving to improve the lives of low-income New Yorkers.
About Lumina Foundation
Lumina Foundation is an independent, private foundation committed to making opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all. Lumina envisions a system that is easy to navigate, delivers fair results, and meets the nation's need for talent through a broad array of credentials.