Communication Arts students with a concentration in Global Communication and Media Studies are expected to complete a Senior Projects course as their year-long capstone experience. The purpose of this class is for students to undertake a collaborative project, which will result in the creation and execution of a campaign aimed at raising awareness and fostering change on a social issue on campus.

This specific project, proposed by Michelle Dickman, Kajal Patel, and Gabriella Prieto, was created out of the students’ interest in the critical social issue of rising student loan debt at the national level. The goal of this campaign is to raise awareness on the Ramapo College campus about the gravity of the student loan debt crisis. Although the nationwide issue of student loan debt cannot be completely resolved through student activism, raising awareness about the issue and gaining knowledge can serve as a key step toward tackling the crisis. The aim of this campaign is to make students, faculty, and staff aware of this issue, including those who may not necessarily have been affected by student loan debt. We hope to address the concerns of this generation as well as future generations of students who are likely to step into careers while being steeped in debt.

The scholarship office on campus has helped the student group propose this particular scholarship to Ramapo College. The name of this scholarship is “Ditch the Debt,” reflecting the title of their campaign. This scholarship is funded by anyone who wishes to donate to this cause, including students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Recipients of the scholarship will be chosen by a committee comprised of invited members of the faculty, the students who created it and the scholarship coordinator.

Freshmen through seniors may apply.

Criteria:

Students must be in good academic standing.

• Any major
• Financial need based on FASFA
• Essay question 1: What does financial literacy mean to you? Why is it important at this point in your life? Essay question
• OR
•  2: State any personal or family circumstances affecting your need for financial assistance. What impact would this scholarship have on your education?
• No more than 1000 words

2017 Recipient

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