Dear Sir/Madam,
The City University of New York (CUNY) is composed of approximately 12,000 international students in F-1 status from all over the world. These students work extremely hard to obtain a college degree here in the United States, so that they can go back home and apply what they have learned and contribute to the advancement and development of that country.
International students in four-year (senior) colleges pay approximately $4500 per semester for their tuition, while those in the community (two-year) colleges pay about $2500 per semester. The continuous rise in the cost of education, economic changes, and lack of financial support makes it extremely difficult for these international students to maintain their status by remaining enrolled in schools; therefore many of them drop out school or take few courses, hence violate their F-1 status. The lack of job opportunities and the constant change in the already rigid immigration laws have also made it more difficult for the international students to obtain jobs to help finance their education.
The University Student Senate (USS) founded in 1972 is the official governance student organization representing the interest of CUNY students including the international students through its International and Immigrant Student Affairs Committee. The USS awards two yearly $500 scholarships per campus to international students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance under extraordinary circumstances.
The International and Immigrant Student Affairs Committee of the University Student Senate would like to do more for the international students, so that they can complete their programs and obtain their degrees. It is in this regard that we area reaching out to the Consulate of the countries these students represent for assistance. We are seeking and asking for your provision of monetary donations to award more scholarships, and or paid internships, as well as job opportunities that may help these nationals of your countries accomplish their desired educational goals. I’m confident that their achievements will be mutually beneficial to these individual students as well as their countries of origin, because nothing is better than a country full of educated citizens.
Thank you in advance for your time and investment in this effort. I’m sure that our collaborative efforts will be mutually productive and effective. Looking forward to hearing from you and working along with you.
Sincerely,
Charlene Morgan