
This year, low-income students across the country will learn that finding money for college is easier than they thought with help from a new national initiative, Financial Aid U. Made possible by a generous grant from Citi Foundation and led by the Center for Economic Progress, the program connects students to available financial aid through a three step process:
Step 1) Free tax preparation
With most of the information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) coming from the tax return, Financial Aid U starts with free tax preparation for low-income families.
Step 2) Help filling out FAFSA
Step 3) Follow-up support
Financial Aid U began last tax season at the Center for Economic Progress’ free tax sites in Illinois. After a successful pilot year, the Center is looking to duplicate its success through sub-grants to seven additional markets, including Baltimore, Newark, Long Island, New York City, Miami, San Francisco and Philadelphia. Organizations implementing Financial Aid U this tax season include the Baltimore CASH Campaign, Newark Now, the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, the Financial Clinic, the Human Services Coalition of Miami, Tax Aid San Francisco and the Campaign for Working Families of Philadelphia.
On July 14, David Marzahl, the Center’s president, testified during a hearing of the United States Senate Committee on Finance. The hearing was called to discuss the future of individual tax rates and the effects on economic growth and distribution.
As jobs continue to disappear and wages decline, it’s gotten more and more difficult for hard-working, low-income families to make ends meet. In the midst of these challenging times, the demand for free tax and asset build services has grown. Join at the National Community Tax Coalition (NCTC) Regional Summit in Detroit, Michigan on August 4-5 as we continue working together to make a real impact in the communities we serve.

At the Center, donations come in a variety of forms. From individuals donating their time to help our clients to generous companies providing us with monetary or in-kind support, each donation helps make our mission possible. We encourage you to check out this month's featured donor: Paragon Promotions. For your promotional item needs, visit Paragon Promotions.
The Center for Economic Progress has recently been featured on lifestyle cable network Plum TV as a part of an initiative sponsored by Bank of America to highlight the remarkable efforts of four organizations that are making a big impact in the communities they serve.
The Center for Economic Progress has partnered with Chili's restaurants throughout Illinois as part of the new Chili's Pepper Profit Partner Program. Visit a participating Chili's between December 5 and April 30 the Center will get 10 percent of the total purchase.
The Center for Economic Progress has been awarded a grant by COUNTRY Financial through its Count on COUNTRY Financial grant program. The Center was one of five grant recipients.
With little tax training, low-income families are among the most likely to leave money on the table at tax time. Become a Center volunteer and help offer free tax and financial services to low-income families.
Savings is as important as consumption when it comes to the future economic health and vitality of the U.S. economy. Read more about our savings policy work in our latest policy paper.
During the 2009 tax season, the Center put $52 million back into the pockets of more than 33,000 Illinois families and their communities. Read our Tax & Financial Services Highlights to see how we've helped families use our tax and financial services to get ahead.
The current economic crisis offers a historic opportunity for transformation. Our annual report highlights how we are reimagining our work as we focus on the pocketbook issues of working families.