Federal Advocacy
OSA works with elected officials, staff, and decision makers to ensure that the student perspective and voice are represented in all relevant public policy discussions — including in Washington D.C. OSA’s federal advocacy is focused on the expansion of student aid (#DoublePell), student debt cancellation, defending DACA, and other relevant issues to students. OSA partners in our federal advocacy with national student coalitions, such as the Free The Degree campaign, Higher Ed For All!, and the United States Student Association.
The Free the Degree Campaign is a coalition of student associations and organizations representing over 3.1 million college students. With facilitation from the Student Debt Crisis Center (SDCC), Free the Degree seeks to build collaboration with student-leaders, on student-debt cancellation, debt-free postsecondary education, and the everyday needs of students.
Free The Degree
United States Student Association
The United States Student Association (USSA) is the country’s oldest and largest student-led organization. USSA amplifies the student voice by mobilizing grassroots power to win concrete victories on student issues in Washington D.C.
At the moment, USSA is not an active organization.
The Federal Pell Grant is a proven program that has been the foundation of federal student aid for decades, opening the doors of college and opportunity to lower- and moderate-income students.
The share of college costs covered by the Pell Grant is at an all-time low. Doubling the maximum annual Pell Grant award to $13,000 will help more students earn a degree, get a good-paying job, and ensure them greater economic mobility and a brighter future.
