CITIES-NEW YORK. The Community Service Society of New York (CSS) is pleased to announce it has received a grant from the Lumina Foundation to enhance its Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP). This funding will help EDCAP raise awareness, provide support, and build capacity among national stakeholders, enabling other states to implement initiatives that support student loan borrowers and drive systemic change.
Since its inception in 2019, EDCAP has been a leading program model addressing the student debt crisis from the borrower’s perspective, offering direct consumer assistance to student loan borrowers in New York State.
The Unheard Third Survey by CSS reveals a concerning trend: despite having higher education credentials, many individuals with student debt experience severe financial hardships, questioning the value of their investment. This issue disproportionately affects communities of color and first-generation college students, who often incur significant debt and face systemic barriers, exacerbating financial instability and inequality.
“At CSS, we’ve consistently demonstrated that student debt is not just a financial issue but a major obstacle to economic stability and personal well-being,” said David R. Jones, President and CEO of the Community Service Society. “CSS is known for creating program models like EDCAP that can be replicated and scaled. This grant from Lumina will enable us to raise awareness among national stakeholders about these effective models and initiatives, addressing the needs of student loan borrowers and driving systemic change.”
Katie Berger, Lumina’s strategy director for federal policy, and Ernest Ezeugo, Lumina’s strategy officer for federal policy, highlighted the urgent need for change. “Student loan borrowers are confused and frustrated, juggling multiple financial obligations and navigating a complex repayment system with constantly changing rules. Shifting the status quo is crucial for creating a better-educated country and achieving Lumina’s vision for a fairer, more accessible higher education system,” they stated.
The partnership between CSS, Lumina, and the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association will also promote collaboration with state officials to develop scalable, sustainable support systems. This collaborative approach ensures that borrowers’ voices are heard and their needs are met, paving the way for long-term solutions.
This initiative is timely as tens of millions of borrowers resume repayments within a complex and often punitive system. By working together, we can help borrowers manage 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 assist you or someone you know, please visit CSSNY EDCAP.