Campus Partners

How to Join COHEAO-New!

COHEAO is the Coalition of Higher Education Assistance Organizations. With a partnership of over 300 educational and commercial members, they promote access to post secondary education. The focus of COHEAO is on legislative and regulatory advocacy for Federal Perkins and other campus-based student loan programs.

Why become a member?

COHEAO provides their members with a very informative Web site. Members are provided easy access to industry and regulatory updates, seminar information, training and much more. COHEAO hosts two major conferences each year. The Annual Meeting is held in Washington DC in January, while the Mid-Year Meeting changes sites around the country. Members of Congress, and representatives from the Department of Education and Health and Human Services participate in these meetings.

COHEAO also sponsors workshops throughout the country on a wide range of topics. These workshops are open to the education community, and specialists and experts are often invited to participate. Past workshops have covered institutional refund policies, the administration of financial aid programs, and analysis of important legislative developments. Additional focus groups, task forces and conferences have addressed concerns related to the Perkins Loan, Stafford Loan, Federal Direct Student Loan, and other various loan and grant programs.

How can I make a difference?

In addition to the above interests, COHEAO is currently involved with several specific issues. For example, COHEAO strongly supports the position that the Perkins Loan program is one of the most cost-effective means of providing access to postsecondary education for low-income students. The program, when properly administered, is a most appropriate and effective use of government funds, especially since it can be self-sustaining. I’m sure you have read in our Update that there is a constant threat of discontinued funding of the Federal Perkins program. COHEAO has been instrumental in their efforts to promote the preservation and improvement of the Perkins Loan program.

How do I join?

Each member organization may enroll one primary member and as many associate members as it desires. Only primary members may serve on the Board of Directors, but all members have the opportunity to participate in other COHEAO committees. You may enroll on line by following the steps below:

· Go to www.coheao.org/memberframe.html
· Click on the Applications tab
· Click on Primary Membership

Sign up today and help make a difference!

		This month's "How-To" is available in PDF format.