6 The Hampton Roads Messenger Our Education


Volume 9 Number 2


October 2014


Innovating for Success: The 2014 National HBCU Week Conference


with the Universities Space Research Association. Morgan State landed a $28 million contract—its


biggest


federal contract in history—to develop critical expertise on climate issues and atmospheric science,” Duncan said.


“It’s imperative that we start uplifting boys and men of color, as President Obama is seeking to do. And here again, HBCUs can help show the way,” he added. “I know HBCUs can pioneer innovation and international education.”


Some of the National HBCU Week 2014 HBCU All-Stars BY DE’RELL BONNER


believe and


“Over the next few years, I Historically


Black and economic Colleges


Universities (HBCUs) will in many respects become more essential, not less so, to meeting our nation’s educational


Secretary Arne Duncan told


gathered at the 2014 National HBCU Week Conference in Washington, D.C.


The Secretary affirmed the


necessity and vitality of HBCUs, and pledged to help ensure that all 105 of these unique and historic American institutions continue to thrive.


The annual conference is a forum for HBCU presidents, administrators, students, and stakeholders


to meet


directly with federal and private sector representatives


to discuss strategies


for sustained impact in preparing new generations of leaders. This year’s conference – HBCUs: Innovators for Future Success – focused on the community’s efforts to remain at the forefront of educational advancement.


“We, as the current leaders of


the black college community, like our predecessors, recognize the great tasks ahead of us. And, like our predecessors, we recognize that not only the future


role


goals,” those


After the


of African-American success, but the future of American and global success, rest on the innovation cultivated at or by black colleges,” said George Cooper, Executive


Director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs.


Duncan used his keynote address to applaud the remarkable legacy of HBCUs and to reject the notion that HBCUs are no longer necessary in the 21st century.


“[HBCUs] still have an outsize in


preparing students to meet


urgent national priorities in STEM fields, in filling teaching jobs, and in uplifting boys and men of color,” said Duncan.


He also noted the critical roles


that HBCUs play in extending the reach of the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative and President Obama’s North Star education goal of again having the world’s highest proportion college graduates. And, he highlighted some of the HBCUs that are leading the way.


“At Hampton University I saw its


cutting-edge Proton Therapy Institute for treating cancer. President Harvey’s vision there is remarkable. At Morgan State,


under Scholarship Watch


Horatio Alger National Scholarship Program 106 $22,000 Scholarships Awarded


Funded through the generosity of the Members of the Association As one of the nation's


largest college


financial aid programs in the country, the Horatio Alger National Scholarship Program is one of the major scholarship programs nationally that specifically assists high school students who have faced in


and overcome academic great


their young lives. While many aid programs are directed recognizing


primarily achievement or


leadership potential, the Horatio Alger program also seeks students who have a commitment to use their college degrees in service to others.


The National the


awarded to eligible students in all fifty states,


Scholarship Program is District of Columbia, and


Puerto Rico. National Scholars receive an all expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. during the spring of their senior year to participate in the National Scholars Conference.


Eligibility


To be eligible to apply for the Horatio Alger National Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:


Be enrolled full time as a high school senior in the United States; be progressing normally toward graduation in spring/ summer of 2015 with plans to enter a


President Wilson’s


outstanding leadership, the university formed a groundbreaking partnership


Secretary’s keynote


remarks, he was joined by Richard Cordray, director of the Consumer Financial


Protection Rebound FROM PAGE 1 reporting


Federal law requires credit companies


to provide


consumers with a free copy of their credit report once every 12 months, if requested. You can easily obtain your free credit reports from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) at one Web site — www.AnnualCreditReport. com — or by calling 1-877-322-8228. Under other circumstances, such as being denied a loan or employment based on your credit report or if you believe you may be a fraud victim, you are also entitled to a free copy directly from the credit bureau that provided the initial report. Be cautious of costly subscriptions to additional credit-related services that you may be offered while requesting your credit report.


Because mistakes can happen,


closely review your credit report(s) when you receive it. According to a 2012 study from the Federal Trade Commission, more than 25 percent of consumers surveyed identified errors on their credit reports that might affect their credit scores. "It is important to dispute inaccurate


information, in


writing, with both the credit reporting company as well as with the original source of the information so that the error does not show up again," said Jennifer Dice, an FDIC Supervisory Consumer Affairs Specialist.


obstacles to


college in the United States no later than the fall following graduation


Exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a bachelor’s degree at an accredited non-profit public or private institution in the United States (students may start their studies at a two-year institution and then transfer to a four-year institution)


Demonstrate critical financial need ($55,000 or lower adjusted gross family income is required)


Be involved in co-curricular community service activities


and


Display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity


Maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0; and


Be a United States citizen - See more at: www.horatioalger.org


If you have a complaint about a credit reporting company, you can contact the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at help.con- sumerfinance.gov/app/creditreporting/ ask or by calling 1-855-411-2372.


2. Improve your credit history by


paying your bills on time. Paying on time is one of the biggest contributors to your credit score. If you have a history of paying bills late, find out if your bank will send you an e-mail or text message reminding you when a payment is due. You may also consider having your payments for loans or other bills automatically debited from your bank account.


Once you become current on


payments, stay current. "The more you pay your bills on time after being late, the more your credit score should increase," Dice added. "The impact of past credit problems on your credit score fades as time passes and as your current timeliness in paying bills is


Bureau, Carrie Hessler-Radelet, director of the Peace


Corps, and Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation of Community and National Service. The four updated the audience on a joint effort to encourage public


to inform their employees, volunteers and


recent service to graduates opportunities


service employers about


public and student


loan repayment options and tools – including Toolkit


the CFPB Public Service help


teachers and other


public servants tackle student debt. Read the entire speech by


Secretary follow


the


Duncan White


and be sure


on Historically Black Colleges and Universities on HBCUs.


reflected on your credit report." 3. Reduce the amounts you owe.


You can get on track toward a better score by paying down balances owed.


It takes some discipline, so start


by getting organized. Make a list of all of your accounts and debts (perhaps using your credit report, if it's accurate, and recent statements) to determine how much you owe and the interest rate you are being charged. You may be able to reduce your interest costs by paying off the debts with the highest interest rate first, while still making the minimum payments (if not more) on your other accounts.


Also consider how to limit your


use of credit cards in favor of cash, checks or a debit card. "While regular, responsible use of your credit card may help your credit score, it is best to keep your balance low enough so that you can pay the account balance in full, on time, every month," suggested Heather St. Germain, an FDIC Senior Consumer Affairs Specialist.


from reputable sources. Counseling services are available


4. Consider free or low-cost help to help


consumers budget money, pay bills and develop a plan to improve their credit report. Be cautious of counseling services that advise you to stop making payments to your creditors or to pay the counselors instead (so they can negotiate on your behalf with the lender). These programs can be costly and may result in your credit score becoming even worse.


5. Beware of credit repair scams. Con artists lure innocent victims in with false promises to "erase" a bad credit history in a short amount of time, but there are no quick ways to remove credit problems on your record that are legitimate. "You'll also know you've encountered credit repair fraud if the company insists you pay upfront before it does any work on your behalf or it encourages you to give false information on your credit applications," said St. Germain. In general, before doing business with a for-profit credit repair company, learn how you can improve your own credit history at little or no cost.


For more information from the FDIC, the CFPB, the Federal Trade Commission and other government agencies on topics such as credit reports, credit scores, fixing a credit problem and how to choose a credit counselor, go to www.mymoney.gov and search by topic.


House Initiative Twitter: @WHI_


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