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Excellence.
Access.
Affordability.

The Association of Proprietary Colleges (APC) represents 12 fully accredited, degree granting colleges operating on 23 college campuses across New York State offering associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level programs.

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New York State has a long-standing history of working together with institutions of higher education in all four sectors (SUNY, CUNY, independent non-profit and proprietary) to benefit all New Yorkers. This commitment to equality and parity across all sectors has created a robust and diverse education system that has resulted in innovative and novel ideas, a consistent pipeline of employees for local businesses and has had a strong, positive economic impact across the state.

The Association of Proprietary Colleges (APC) congratulates Dr. Betty A. Rosa on her unanimous appointment as permanent Commissioner of Education and President of the University of the State of New York.

“We are thrilled to learn that Dr. Rosa was appointed permanent commissioner and look forward to continuing our work with her on the many important issues facing the students of New York State,” said Donna Stelling-Gurnett, President and CEO of the Association of Proprietary Colleges. “We believe that Dr. Rosa was the absolute right choice to be the permanent leader of the New York State Department of Education due to her extensive experience as an educator, administrator and academic.”

ALBANY, NY- Donna Stelling-Gurnett, President and CEO of the Association of Proprietary Colleges (APC) delivered testimony today at the New York State Legislature’s Joint Budget Hearing on Higher Education. In her testimony, Stelling-Gurnett thanked the Legislature for its continued support of programs like TAP, which is vital to many of the 26,000 students that APC member colleges educate. She went on to highlight what APC member colleges did to help their students through the pandemic as well as several data points that demonstrate the strong academic outcomes that the colleges’ students continue to produce.

Consider the following data:

  • According to NYSED 2018 data 49% of Black/African American students at NYS’s proprietary colleges graduated on time with a Bachelor’s Degree. This is higher than any other sector in NYS! (SUNY – 47.5%; CUNY - 17.6% and Non-Profit Institutions – 40%)
  • APC member colleges believe on-time graduation is the key to keeping student loan debt low. According to recently released College Scorecard data, students graduating from APC member colleges accumulate an average of $22,357 in student loan debt. This is significantly lower than the average student loan debt of New York residents of $30,931. 

“APC like our peers in the public and independent sectors of higher education, were not immune to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and went to great measures to maintain stability for their students, faculty and staff,” said Stelling-Gurnett. “Over the past several months, the pandemic has laid bare the inequity that existed for minority and low-income students and their ongoing financial needs are significant.  Many are struggling with homelessness, food insecurities, childcare needs or caring for other family members.  This means that state aid programs such as TAP and ETA are especially critical now.”

She went on to add: “New York State is facing a tight fiscal environment this year, however, we feel it is important to advocate for expansion of the TAP program. Increasing the minimum or maximum TAP award or increasing the maximum income threshold would help ensure that students most impacted by COVID-19 can continue their educations.”

APC legislative priorities include:

  • Increase the minimum TAP award from $500 to $1,000 and/or the maximum TAP award from $5,165 to $6,000 annually.
  • Increase the maximum net taxable income (NTI) threshold to receive a TAP award from $80,000 to $110,000 annually.
  • Reinstate Graduate TAP.
  • Restore Maximum TAP Awards for Two-Year Degree Programs.

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APC News

APC in Action February 2021

February 16, 2021

APC statement on appointment of Dr. Betty A. Rosa as Commissioner of Education and President of the University of the State of New York

February 09, 2021

APC Highlights Member Colleges’ Resiliency During Difficult Year in Budget Testimony

February 04, 2021

ICYMI Higher Education News - January 13, 2020

January 13, 2021

Statement on the Election of Dr. Lester Young as Chancellor of the Board of Regents

January 11, 2021

ICYMI Higher Education News - January 6, 2020

January 06, 2021

The Facts

APC colleges are committed to keeping loan debt low; achievement high; and creating a path to employment. Be informed. Facts and Figures page.

Average Student Loan
Debt Comparison

avg student loan debt

 


Fortune 500 Company Seeks Out College of Westchester Graduates

APC member colleges are New York focused

APC member colleges are New York focused, educating local students for lifelong careers that are in demand in New York. Ninety percent of students attending APC member colleges are from New York and more than 90 percent of those students stay in New York after graduation to live and work. Our colleges educate over 26,000 students and employ more than 6,000 people making them strong economic drivers in their local communities. To learn more about the impact graduates from APC member colleges have on their local communities – visit the APC Impact Page.

On-time associate degree graduation rates for all students grad rates all

On-time associate degree graduation rates for students with a HS GPA between 70-80% grad rates 70 80

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121 State Street, Albany, New York 12207
Phone: 518-437-1867
Email: apc@apc-colleges.org

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