Third, from left to right, Vice President of Student Development and Enrollment Management, Dr. La Toro Yates, represented Hostos at the event. He is pictured here with members of the White House initiative.
On Friday, March 8, Hostos Community College, alongside the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics, led an important conversation focusing on the delayed rollout of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Spearheaded by Hostos President Daisy Cocco De Filippis and Queens College President Frank Wu, this collaborative effort brought together representatives from 25 Hispanic Serving Institutions across New York City, including members from the City University of New York (CUNY), State University of New York (SUNY), and private colleges, highlighting a unified approach to tackle prevalent issues in higher education financing.
 
The gathering featured a comprehensive panel discussion and interactive breakout sessions designed to facilitate a rich exchange of insights and innovative ideas aimed at enhancing the FAFSA process for students and parents alike. The initiative underscores a pivotal moment of cooperation between the federal government and higher education institutions, striving towards the common goal of streamlining financial aid access and ensuring student success across the board.
 
The discussion was an excellent opportunity for leaders of CUNY, SUNY, and other higher education institutions to collaborate with the White House to improve students' financial aid experiences.
“This event stands as a testament to the power of collaborative dialogue in addressing critical challenges within the educational landscape. It marks a significant step forward in our collective effort to make higher education more accessible and efficient for all,” said Hostos Vice President of Student Development and Enrollment Management La Toro Yates, who led the Hostos delegation that attended the event.
 
Future events will be organized to continue fostering collaboration and enhancing students' experiences with financing their education.
 
 
About Eugenio María de Hostos Community College
 
Hostos Community College is an educational agent for change that has been transforming and improving the quality of life in the South Bronx and neighboring communities for over half a century. Since 1968, Hostos has been a gateway to intellectual growth and socioeconomic mobility, as well as a point of departure for lifelong learning, success in professional careers, and transfer to advanced higher education programs.
 
Hostos offers 28 associate degree programs and two certificate programs that facilitate secure transfer to The City University of New York’s (CUNY) four-year colleges or baccalaureate studies at other institutions. A two-time Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence finalist, the College has an award-winning Division of Continuing Education & Workforce Development that offers professional development courses and certificate-bearing workforce training programs. Hostos also boasts both men's and women's basketball teams, which have won multiple CUNY Athletic Conference championships, with the women's team making history in 2024 as the only team ever to secure seven consecutive titles in the conference's history. The College is part of CUNY, the nation’s leading urban public university, which serves more than 500,000 students at 25 colleges.
 
For inquiries, email publicrelations@hostos.cuny.edu.
 
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