In mid-March, CARA hosted “TAP Into Your Power,” a professional development convening bringing together over 30 NYC counselors, advisors, school leaders, and CBO partners. The day started with discussing the “TAP Gap ” – the financial aid that is lost when students complete FAFSA but do not apply for TAP. Attendees described the obstacles that create this gap and brainstormed strategies for increasing TAP completion, which we’ll be sharing with educators and policymakers in the coming months.

In the second half of the event, participants heard from a panel on what it means to be a leader of college & career access, featuring

•  Eleanor Geagan, Kingsbridge Heights Community Center
• Susana Leon Chu, Queens High School of Language Studies
• Corina Liu, Commonpoint
• Julia Ramirez Pelham Lab High School 
• Rob Schwarz, Richmond Hill High School. 

Gathering so many professionals was energizing and reinforced our conviction that amplifying the voices of those closest to this work is essential for improving postsecondary access. As Eleanor shared during the leadership panel “No matter where in the ladder you are, you need to spend some time with your boots on the ground talking to students.”