Senate Letter CHS Students 06-04-2025.docx

Subject: An urgent request from Dr. Carl S. Cleveland III, President, CUKC - Action needed by 06/06/2025

Dear CUKC College of Health Sciences Students,

This is an urgent call to action, requesting that you contact both of the U.S. Senators within the state where you are registered to vote to voice your opposition to the proposed cuts in Federal Student Aid included in the Reconciliation Bill now before the Senate. The cuts to student aid programs as proposed will adversely impact students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, and professional education programs in higher education institutions across the nation.

These changes if implemented would affect any new borrowers after July 1, 2026. The good news is that existing students already using these types of financial aid will not be affected. However, the potential impact on future students, or existing undergraduate students hoping to enroll into graduate programs, would be devastating.

DO YOUR PART AND TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTION BEFORE END OF DAY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6

Visit Contacting U.S. Senators, at https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm

and choose the state where you are registered to vote. Links to contact each Senator are beneath their names. It is important that you forward your message to both of your U.S. Senators.

Take a moment to personalize the sample letter below and copy and paste the text into the Contact Us form for both of your U.S. Senators before end of day, Friday, June 6.

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Dear [SENATOR NAME],

My name is [insert your name], and I am a student pursuing a [Insert Undergraduate Degree Name, i.e., AA in Rad Tech, AA Biology, BS Human Biology, BS Exercise Science] degree at Cleveland University-Kansas City. I respectfully urge you to oppose the Student Federal Financial Aid cuts in the budget reconciliation package and preserve Pell Grant and Parent PLUS Loan eligibility requirements, as well as Direct Subsidized Loans for undergraduate healthcare students.

The proposed bill would eliminate key aid programs, reduce eligibility, and remove borrower protection directly affecting students like me who need flexible options during clinical rotations and internships. Specifically:

Eliminating Direct Subsidized Loans would increase borrowing costs for low-income students preparing for health professions, many of whom already face high educational expenses.
Reducing Pell Grant eligibility by redefining full-time enrollment from 12 to 15 credit hours and removing eligibility for those attending less than half time would disproportionately harm those balancing work, family, or other obligations.
Limiting Parent PLUS Loans and Adding Borrowing Requirements by requiring students to borrow the maximum amount of Direct Unsubsidized Loans before accessing Parent PLUS funds would place undue financial strain on students whose parents choose to help them cover tuition and living expenses.

At a time of critical healthcare workforce shortages, especially in rural and underserved areas, reducing financial aid access places additional barriers on healthcare students.

Please oppose these provisions in the Senate reconciliation bill and help ensure continued access to healthcare education and future care for our communities.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Student, Cleveland University-Kansas City