Keep Me in College Coalition

The Keep Me in College Coalition was established in Missouri. It is a nonprofit organization consisting of students, parents, faculty, university staff and friends who are concerned about the future of education. The coalition consists of those who believe that states and the nation should continue the tradition of policies that promote the betterment of students and higher education.

“Although it was focused by or formed by the organizations and the institutions like Park University, it’s open to students who attend all universities in Missouri,” said Erik Bergrud, associate vice president for external relations.

The coalition was founded about a decade ago in Missouri by members of the Independent Colleges and Universities, of which Park University is a long-standing member. It was originally established to focus on Missouri issues to preserve Access Missouri financial aid for eligible students attending independent colleges and universities in Missouri.

Over the years, Keep Me in College Coalition members, including Park University student leaders, have successfully fought to protect the Access Missouri program, which provides need-based financial aid to deserving students. The coalition believes it is time to expand and focus more broadly on improving all aspects of higher education, such as protecting state and federal financial aid, student loans and work-study programs.

Members will also use their voice to help shape the Higher Education Act Reauthorization, which is the law that oversees federal financial aid programs currently being debated in Congress.

“Park University and other schools in Missouri want to serve all students regardless of where they came from so education funding is critical,” Bergrud emphasized. “Not everybody has access to the same financial resources so how and why we got started was to make sure all students could have access to resources; we’re focused on grants, scholarships and making sure that our universities are sustainable for years to come,” said Bergrud.

Students are encouraged to use their voices to help the coalition with their mission of keeping higher education affordable, protecting state and federal financial aid, and more.

“Part of it is getting to know what happens in the state, part of it is making a commitment to get knowledgeable about what’s happening on education issues,” said Bergrud. “Then there is a follow-up opportunity to get involved whether it’s to get involved via social media or get involved by contacting legislators,” said Bergrud.

Students can join the coalition by texting KMIC at 52886 or by visiting www.kmic.org/join-us, which will allow the coalition to contact you when you need to act or when something that is happening will have a toll on your dreams of a higher education. When issues arise, the coalition will supply you with talking points, email you templates and provide suggestions for tweets and Facebook posts so you can act. You are encouraged to follow the coalition on social media as well.