Overview
As the federal COVID-19 relief efforts continue, Students United wants to ensure that university students are not lost in the conversation. The $2.2 trillion aid package, called the CARES Act, includes direct payments of $1,200+ to millions of Americans. But many college/university students may not qualify due to two exclusions. First, anyone age 17+ who was claimed as a dependent may not see any payment. Second, anyone classified as a “nonresident alien,” like many international students, may not receive any payments either. Most university students are working adults experiencing the same hardships as many others across the country. We believe it’s imperative that they not be forgotten. Students need a bailout, too.
What is #BailoutStudents?
We are asking Minnesota State university students to contact the Minnesota congressional delegation and let them know that students need a bailout, too. This includes dependents in college as well as non-residents like many international students. Relief should go to all who need it.
Students United with U.S. Rep. Angie Craig
Legislation We Support
Minnesota U.S. Senator Tina Smith and Minnesota U.S. Representative Angie Craig have proposed companion pieces of legislation designed to fix the exclusion of dependents age 17 and older.
Senator Smith’s All Dependents Count Act is also supported by Senator Klobuchar.
Representative Craig’s All Dependent Children Count Act is co-sponsored by Representative Phillips and Representative Peterson.
The Ask
Representatives: Our students and their families need help and deserve to be included. Will you support the All Dependent Children Count Act?
Senators: Thank you for supporting the All Dependents Count Act in order to ensure our students and their families are included. Moving forward, would you support including non-residents like international students so that everyone who needs help receives it?
Everyone: Students are adults in this economy, too. Please keep all students in mind during the ongoing COVID-19 relief conversations.
Contact Information
Find your congressional district here.
U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum (4th District)
Phone: (202) 225-6631
Twitter: @BettyMcCollum04
U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (5th District)
U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer (6th District)
Phone: (202) 225-2331
Twitter: @RepTomEmmer
U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson (7th District)
Phone: (202) 225-2165
Note: does not have a congressional Twitter account
U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber (8th District)
Phone: (202) 225-6211
Twitter: @RepPeteStauber
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar
Phone: (202) 224-3244
Twitter: @SenAmyKlobuchar
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith
Phone: (202) 224-5641
Twitter: @SenTinaSmith
U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn (1st District)
Phone: (202) 225-2472
Twitter: @RepHagedorn
U.S. Rep. Angie Craig (2nd District)
Phone: (202) 225-2271
Twitter: @RepAngieCraig
U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips (3rd District)
Phone: (202) 225-2871
Twitter: @RepDeanPhillips
Template Communications
Contact your representatives via their website forms, emails, twitter accounts, and phone numbers. We encourage you to contact the representatives in the district you live in and, if different, the district your campus is in. Be sure to add any personal stories and to put these communications in your own words. It is much more powerful and persuasive for elected officials and their staff members to receive genuine communication around issues that are affecting constituents.
Email/Online Contact Forms:
Hello Representative [insert last name],
I understand that congress needed to move swiftly to provide relief amid the Covid-19 pandemic and economic recession, and we are grateful for many of the steps that have already been taken to help our students and communities. However, in the rush to provide assistance, congress left gaps in the $2.2 trillion stimulus bill. One of the most noticeable gaps in the CARES Act centers around adults who are claimed as dependents. Anyone over the age of 17 who is claimed as a dependent is not eligible for the $500 dependent child payment that the government is about to send out. Adults with disabilities who are also claimed as dependents were overlooked and are not eligible for these funds. [Insert personal story if you have one] Because of this oversight, we urge Congress to pass the All Dependent Children Count Act in order to provide relief to the millions of students and disabled adults who were excluded from the CARES Act. Are you in support of this bill? Feel free to reach out with any questions you may have. Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Dear Representative/Senator [insert last name],
Thank you for all your work in aiding our district as we struggle through this global pandemic. I’m writing to you today as a student at [insert school.] I’m [insert age] and, before the pandemic, I worked at [insert job(s)]. Like millions of people, I am no longer getting a paycheck, but I still have to pay all my bills, including rent, utilities, groceries, and upcoming tuition and fees. The historic $2.2 trillion bailout includes cash payments directly to many Americans. However, due to a clause that states that only dependents 16 years old or younger make a family eligible for $500, but others claimed as “dependents” won’t get anything, neither I nor my family will see any cash relief. I pay [insert rent cost] along with [insert other major bills.] I’m an adult. I need relief too. I ask you to please keep students in mind as Congress continues to discuss much-needed relief in the middle of this crisis. Students need to be bailed out, too.
Tweets:
.@[insert congressmember] students like me are adults who contribute to the economy and have bills due, just like everyone else. While many adults will get $1200+ checks, adult “dependents” like us won’t get anything. Students need relief, too. #BailoutStudents
As a college student, I'm an adult responsible for my own bills. And, like many others, I've lost a job. Students need cash relief like any other adult, but the $2.2 trillion bailout doesn't include me. @[insert congressmember] please keep students in mind, too! #BailoutStudents
.@[insert congressmember] International students are navigating the difficult terrain of losing work, still having to pay bills, not being eligible for any relief in the US, and not being able to access their home countries or financial support. Please include us in relief efforts. #BailoutStudents
Since I have started college, I have been responsible of paying for myself. Receiving relief would help me because I am not able to work anymore. However, since I am claimed dependent on my parents’ taxes, I won’t be getting any bailout relief. Please support the All Dependent Children Count Act @[insert representative] #BailoutStudents