WASHINGTON, DC (EEF News) — The Education Equalizer Foundation (EEF) joins national education leaders in Washington, D.C., for the National College Attainment Network’s (NCAN) Federal Advocacy Days on March 31 and April 1. Representing EEF are Founder Dr. Carjie Scott and University of Florida Active Learning Program Intern Connie Huang, who will advocate for stronger federal policies that support college access, affordability, and student success.
Why We’re Here
At EEF, we believe that every student—regardless of background or income—deserves the opportunity to pursue higher education without being burdened by barriers like cost, debt, or bureaucracy.
That’s why we’re in D.C. to champion NCAN’s 2025 Federal Policy Priorities, including:
- Expanding and protecting the Pell Grant
- Strengthening FAFSA support and access
- Preserving affordable repayment plans
- Defending Public Service Loan Forgiveness
- Safeguarding college access programs like TRIO, GEAR UP, and Federal Work Study
What We’re Learning
Over two impactful days, we’ll participate in a series of panels, workshops, and strategy sessions designed to deepen our understanding of the current higher education policy landscape. Key areas of learning include:
🔍 The Real Cost of College
We’ll explore how affordability continues to be the #1 barrier for students—and discuss creative, policy-driven solutions to reduce out-of-pocket costs and increase financial aid transparency.
🎓 What Makes a Program “High Quality”?
Not all credentials lead to career success. We’ll look at how federal policies can ensure students invest in degrees that offer real economic mobility.
🌍 Supporting Immigrant-Origin Students
We’ll learn about the unique challenges facing students from immigrant families—and how we can better serve them through inclusive policies and culturally responsive support.
📢 Effective Policy Advocacy
We’ll sharpen our advocacy skills, learning how to translate student stories into powerful messages for lawmakers—whether you’re just getting started or are a seasoned advocate.
What We’ll Take Back
We’re not just here to learn—we’re here to act.
This experience will help EEF strengthen our programs, inform our advocacy, and better support the scholars we serve. From helping students complete the FAFSA with confidence to equipping them with the tools to graduate debt-free, everything we learn in D.C. will directly impact our work on the ground.
“We’re here to make sure education policy reflects the real needs of our students. Their future—and our nation’s future—depends on it.”
— Dr. Carjie Scott, Founder of EEF
Follow Our Journey
Stay tuned as we share live updates from Capitol Hill. Follow @EducationEqualizer on Instagram and LinkedIn, and use #NCANinDC and #EducationEqualizer to support our mission of equity in education.
About The Education Equalizer Foundation
The Education Equalizer Foundation empowers middle—through high school students and their families on the path to higher education. The college admittance process can be daunting and complex, particularly for scholars from underserved backgrounds. Our mission is to demystify this process and provide students with the necessary tools to gain admission and graduate successfully.
Thank you to the following organizations for sponsoring The Education Equalizer Foundation.
The Wagmore Foundation
Drs. Corey and Erika Hartman
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