EDCAP Director Carolina Rodriguez Receives Woman of Distinction Award
The Community Service Society is pleased to congratulate Carolina Rodriguez, who received the NYS Senate District 6 Woman of Distinction award from Senator Kevin Thomas for her accomplishments and contributions to her community in Nassau County. Carolina is being honored today at a private ceremony along with other awardees in her district.
In 2019, Carolina became the director of the Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP), a new CSS initiative focused on tackling the issue of student loan debt in New York State. Within a year, Carolina launched the program’s helpline and website. When COVID hit, Carolina successfully and expeditiously transitioned the program to a remote service model. To date, hundreds of New Yorkers, including many Nassau County residents, have benefited from EDCAP’s assistance under her leadership.
More than 2.4 borrowers in New York State carry student loan debt totaling a staggering $98.9 billion, according to the Student Loan Borrower Protection Program. On Long Island, the average student loan balance is $35,100, and student loan delinquency rates are higher than any other form of debt, including mortgage and credit card debt, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
While student loan borrowers have had some relief during the pandemic, many are facing economic hardships. “One silver living of this new virtual environment is we can provide remote one-on-one counseling services. We can now help anyone across New York State without sacrificing quality,” Carolina says. “This is critical as student loan borrowers face the fiscal realities stemming from COVID.”
Carolina has been at the Community Service Society since 2012. Prior to this position, she was the program director for Community Health Advocates.
