DCTAG Info-wish I knew then what I know now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:17:36 I had clued in to some of the DCTAG limitations, just had not realized how much out of state tuitions had gone up. I think that's what's most sobering. That and knowing that DCTAG was intended to completely make up the cost between in and out of state, also was a bummer.

oh yeah, I should confess that I researched a lot about DCTAG but I was also taken aback by the increase in out of state tuition. So I guess I didn't know everything!

[Anonymous]

We plan to move to Maryland the summer of our oldest daughter sophomore year. There is no way we could afford college for three kids, even with savings. She has friends at the school/neighborhood we are considering since she's on a local sports team with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I kind of think we've thrown enough money at UDC lo these many years. Personally, I think we should completely shut it down and use the money to pay for every DC kid to go to a public university, community college, whatever, anywhere in the country.

Cause that would be 1) realistic 2) affordable 3) make any sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I kind of think we've thrown enough money at UDC lo these many years. Personally, I think we should completely shut it down and use the money to pay for every DC kid to go to a public university, community college, whatever, anywhere in the country.

Cause that would be 1) realistic 2) affordable 3) make any sense.

Catania is threatening DC TAG. What we really should be lobbying for is for Congress simply to make up the difference in tuition which can vary dramatically depending on the state. That was the original intention.....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I kind of think we've thrown enough money at UDC lo these many years. Personally, I think we should completely shut it down and use the money to pay for every DC kid to go to a public university, community college, whatever, anywhere in the country.

Cause that would be 1) realistic 2) affordable 3) make any sense.

Catania is threatening DC TAG. What we really should be lobbying for is for Congress simply to make up the difference in tuition which can vary dramatically depending on the state. That was the original intention.....

This will be the sensable way instead of creating other bills. It should just be that District residents pay in state tuition no matter where the go if it's a state school and X amount for a private institution.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I kind of think we've thrown enough money at UDC lo these many years. Personally, I think we should completely shut it down and use the money to pay for every DC kid to go to a public university, community college, whatever, anywhere in the country.

Cause that would be 1) realistic 2) affordable 3) make any sense.

Catania is threatening DC TAG. What we really should be lobbying for is for Congress simply to make up the difference in tuition which can vary dramatically depending on the state. That was the original intention.....

DC Promise has already passed the Council with every member voting in favor except Barry who was absent. The Act is now waiting for Gray's signature. So, there are a few others besides Catania that you can blame for the alleged threat to DC TAG.

Given the history of DC lobbying efforts with Congress in recent years, I'm not sure that your idea of asking Congress for more money is very realistic.

[Anonymous]

I used DCTAG to attend an out-of-state public and ended up with 12K in student loans when I graduated. The cool part was TAG wasnt factored into what the school gave me in aid. This was in the early 2000s so perhaps thats changed.

[Anonymous]

My DD is currently a freshman in HS and I'm wondering if the DC Tag will still be an option once she's a senior. Does anyone have any updated information? Thanks

[Anonymous]

How does the new 'promise' proposal make some residents not eligible to recieve thr benefits? What are the restrictions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, OP, but it's not like this information wasn't out there. In my experience in DC, you have to search out and verify everything -- and even then sometimes it's difficult to find out the truth. We knew that this was how DCTAG worked and we were happy for the help that it provided even though we knew it wouldn't provide everything.

But you are providing a public service by making sure other folks know the facts. Thanks!

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How does the new 'promise' proposal make some residents not eligible to recieve thr benefits? What are the restrictions?

Catania's new program is strictly need-based. It will help the lower-income kids in DC to pay for school, yes, but the irony is most fo the families eligible for Catania's financial aid would also be eligible for regular financial aid. DCTAG is not need-based.

WRT the idea of moving to Maryland or Virginia -- be careful with Virginia if you are thinking UVa or William and Mary, for they have quotas on kids from northern Virginia and it is getting VERY competitive to get in if you live in Nova, to where it's easier to get in as out-of-state (from DC) than in-state (from Fairfax) (I know, I know, it's suppsoed to be a state school, you would think VA residents had a priority, but...). Issue is also starting to surface with Tech.

Have not seen any evidence that they are having those issues at other Virginia state schools or in College Park, though.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:How does the new 'promise' proposal make some residents not eligible to recieve thr benefits? What are the restrictions?

DC Promise and DC TAG are independent programs. Eligibility for one does not affect the other. DC TAG is funded by Congress. DC Promise if funded by the DC Government. There was speculation that in light of DC Promise, Congress might cut funding to DC TAG. But, that didn't happen (or more accurately, the same attempt to cut funding that gets made every year was made again, but failed).

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does the new 'promise' proposal make some residents not eligible to recieve thr benefits? What are the restrictions?

DC Promise and DC TAG are independent programs. Eligibility for one does not affect the other. DC TAG is funded by Congress. DC Promise if funded by the DC Government. There was speculation that in light of DC Promise, Congress might cut funding to DC TAG. But, that didn't happen (or more accurately, the same attempt to cut funding that gets made every year was made again, but failed).

The accurate answer iss that has not happened yet. DC Promise has not really be inacted, so there has been no funding that would affect DC TAG. I think that when it does happen, the reduction in funding of DC TAG will be gradual and not all at once.

DC TAG was available to all DC students, regardless of HHI. DC Promise is based on HHI, the more the parents earn, the less the child receive in funding. I beleive a family max out at $250 HHI.