Eastern Connecticut State University has joined the Coalition for College, a diverse group of more than 150 public and private colleges and universities across the United States working to improve college access for low-income, under-resourced and first-generation students. As a member of the coalition, Eastern meets rigorous eligibility standards in access, affordability and student success, and demonstrates a commitment to supporting all students through the college preparation and application processes. 

“We are honored to join the Coalition for College,” said Eastern’s Director of Enrollment Management Christopher Dorsey. “The coalition’s mission aligns with Eastern’s core value of inclusion, which underscores our commitment to provide educational access while building a campus that embraces diversity and respects differences. As a first-generation college student, I understand the challenges that the application and enrollment process can present for many students. We look forward to collaborating with other colleges that are similarly dedicated to promoting college access and success for all students.”

Coalition colleges and universities work together to support students on the path to higher education. Beginning in ninth grade, students can create a free MyCoalition account, where they’ll have access to online tools to help them learn about, prepare for and apply to college. The platform includes a convenient digital storage locker for students to track their experiences and accomplishments; an interactive collaboration space to connect with mentors; and an application platform that empowers them to start early and easily apply to colleges of their choice. An easy-to-use application fee waiver removes barriers for limited-income students applying through MyCoalition.  

The coalition also provides free access to guidance and advice through informative articles and videos, as well as virtual events, where students can connect with Coalition schools and learn how to make smart college choices. 

“The power of the coalition is our ability to work across member institutions to improve college access, and that work remains critically important today,” says Stacey Kostell, CEO of the coalition.

“We’re thrilled to count Eastern Connecticut State University as partners in this work and look forward to collaborating on our shared goals to better serve limited-income and under-represented students and help more students achieve their higher education goals.”

Graduating students on time, and with low or no debt, is the basis for membership in the coalition. Altogether, coalition schools outperform the national averages for retention and graduation by 17 percent. Eastern is one of only four Connecticut schools in the coalition, joining Yale University, Wesleyan University and the University of Connecticut.

For more information about the Coalition for College, including a complete list of members, visit http://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/ . Also visit https://youtu.be/5nWLncS7ITs .