TypeTastic! is a free online tool to teach students to type. Lessons include, but are not limited to the following: • Touch Typing • Speed Building • Number Row • Symbols • 10-Key Number Pad Read More... CAN FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS BE FORGIVEN, CANCELED OR DISCHARGED? Yes. In certain situations, federal student loans can be forgiven, canceled, or discharged. Accepting some eligibility requirements can have serious implications on earning ability for the borrower and those living in the same household. For example, if a borrower discharged on Total and Permanent Disability Discharge, they will be subject to a 3-year post-discharge monitoring period. One of the 3-year post-discharge monitoring period requirements is that their annual employment earnings cannot exceed the Poverty Guideline amount for a family of two in their state, regardless of their actual family size. The loan servicer will monitor this requirement through annual completion of a form that documents earnings from employment. As of January 2020, a household of 1 can only earn $12,760, a household of 2 can earn $17,240. For current poverty guidelines, please visit www.disabilitydischarge.com/PovertyGuidelines. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "LOAN FORGIVENESS" AND "LOAN DISCHARGE"? "Loan forgiveness" generally refer to the cancellation of a borrower's obligation to repay some or all of the remaining amount owed on a loan if the borrower works full-time for a specified period of time in certain occupations or for certain types of employers. "Loan discharge" generally refers to the cancellation of a borrower's obligation to repay some or all of the remaining amount owed on a loan due to circumstances such as school closure, a school's false certification of a borrower's eligibility to receive a loan, a school's failure to pay a required loan refund, or the borrower's death, total and permanent disability, or bankruptcy. ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FORGIVENESS, CANCELLATIONS AND DISCHARGES? Yes. There are several types of forgiveness, cancellation and discharges available for different types of federal student loans, including but not limited to the following: • Public Service Loan Forgiveness • Teacher Loan Forgiveness • Closed School Discharge • Perkins Loan Cancellation and Discharge • Total and Permanent Disability Discharge • Discharge Due to Death • Discharge in Bankruptcy (in rare cases) • Borrower Defense to Repayment • False Certification Discharge • Unpaid Refund Discharge HOW CAN STUDENTS APPLY FOR LOAN FORGIVENESS? Students should contact their loan servicer (the company/organization that handles the billing and other services on the federal student loan) if they think they qualify for loan forgiveness. ARE PARENT BORROWERS ELIGIBLE FOR FORGIVENESS, CANCELLATION OR DISCHARGE? Yes. CAN STUDENTS APPLY FOR TEMPORARY RELIEF? Yes. Students in a short-term financial bind may qualify for a deferment or a forbearance in which student loan payments are temporarily suspended (interest may continue to accrue). IS THERE ANY GUIDANCE FOR STUDENTS EXPERIENCING REPAYMENT ISSUES DUE TO COVID-19? Students concerned about their studies or loan repayment can visit "Coronavirus and Forebearance Info for Students, Borrowers and Parents." ABOUT FEDERAL STUDENT AID: Federal Student Aid, a part of the U.S. Department of Education, is the largest provider of student financial aid in the nation. At the office of Federal Student Aid, 1,200 employees help make college education possible for every dedicated mind by providing more than $120 billion in federal grants, loans, and work-study funds each year to more than 13 million students paying for college or career school. Read More... Union Settlement creates opportunity in East Harlem by offering comprehensive programs that help underserved residents improve their skills and build better lives for themselves and their families. Union Settlement offers programs including, but not limited to the following: • Early Childhood Development (e.g., child care, Heat Start, vision/hearing/dental screening, asthma initiative, etc.) • Youth Services (e.g., afterschool and summer programs for elementary, middle and high school students, intergenerational tutoring, college readiness, arts, etc.) • Adult Education (e.g., basic education, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), civics/citizenship class, High School Equivalency (HSE) preparation in English and Spanish, etc.) • Senior Services (e.g., Meals on Wheels, volunteer program, health and fitness activities, computer and art classes, etc.) • Mental Health Services (e.g., individual, group and family counseling, children's blended case management, etc.) • Business Development (e.g., computer classes, business literacy classes, business development resources, commercial corridor revitalization, etc). WHO DOES THIS PROGRAM AIM TO SERVE? East Harlem residents of all ages. HAS UNION SETTLEMENT SUSPENDED PROGRAMS DUE TO COVID-19? No. Union Settlement continues to provide vital education, wellness and community-building services to help support and protect vulnerable East Harlem individuals and families during the COVID-19 pandemic. For updates to Union Settlement's response to COVID-19, please visit unionsettlement.org/covid19. Read More... Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. A citizen of a foreign country must have a student visa to study in the United States. The course of study and the type of school determine whether an F visa or an M visa is needed. F VISA: • University of College • High School • Private Elementary School • Seminary • Conservatory • Another academic institution, including a language training program M VISA: • Vocational or other recognized nonacademic institution, other than a language training program Visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) website to learn more about SEVIS and the SEVIS I-901 Fee. Visit the Department of State EducationUSA website to learn about educational opportunities for undergraduate and graduate study, and an overview of the application process. You can also visit the DHS Study in the States school search page to search for SEVP-certified schools. CAN FOREIGN NATIONALS STUDY IN THE UNITED STATES ON THE VISA WAIVER PROGRAM OR WITH VISITOR VISAS? No. A student visa (F or M) is required to study in the United States. Foreign nationals may not study after entering on a visitor (B) visa or through the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), except to undertake recreational study (non-credit) as part of a tourist visit. For more information on the VWP, see Visa Waiver Program. IS A STUDENT VISA REQUIRED FOR RECREATIONAL STUDY? A visitor (B) visa permits enrollment in a short recreational course of study, which is not for credit toward a degree or academic certificate. Learn more about Visitor Visas. Study leading to a U.S. conferred degree or certificate is never permitted on a visitor (B) visa, even if it is for a short duration. For example, a student in a distance learning program that requires a period of time on the institution’s U.S. campus must obtain a student (F or M) visa prior to entering the United States. HAVE STUDENTS VISA SERVICES BEEN SUSPENDED DUE TO COVID-19? In May 2020, the US State Department announced suspension of routine visa services in all US Embassies and Consulates. Restrictions, including suspending entry of immigrants who present risk to the US labor market, were also announced. Services to US citizens continues to be available. For updates to how COVID-19 is impacting Visa Services, please visit here. Read More... Visual Schedule Planner, developed by Good Karma Applications, is a completely customizable visual schedule iOS app that is designed to give an individual an audio/visual representation of the “events in their day". In addition, events that require more support can be linked to an “activity schedule” or “video clip” to help model the task even further. Visual Planner is perfect for home, school, work or community environment. Visual Schedule Planner features include: • Ability to view events daily, weekly or via a monthly calendar. • Custom images • Custom sound • Activity schedules • Video Modeling • Timer • Checklist • Reminders • Notes Download Visual Schedule Planner for iOS devices. IS THE VISUAL SCHEDULE PLANNER APP FREE? No. The current fee is $14.99. WHO DOES THIS APP AIM TO SERVE? The app is designed for individuals who may benefit from visual support to ease transitions, anxiety, or who simply need a way to visually represent their day. Read More... Volunteer Management Group (VMG) is a consultancy providing companies and non-profits with project management, training and consulting services for nonprofit management, volunteer management, grant writing and corporate philanthropy programs. VMG hosts conferences and presents workshops on these topics. VMG coordinates large-scale fundraising events and volunteer fairs raising millions of dollars and bringing in volunteers for hundreds of charities in New York City and nationwide. VMG offers certificate programs including, but not limited to the following: • Nonprofit Management Training Program • Volunteer Management Training Program • Grant Writing Training Program • Fundraising Training Program • Social Media Training Program • Corporate Philanthropy Training Program • Corporate Volunteer Management Training HAVE VMG'S PROGRAMS AND SERVICES BEEN SUSPENDED DUE TO COVID-19? VMG's online training programs are active. In-person classroom training and VMG events have been suspended until further notice. For status of upcoming VMG events, please visit here. Read More... Volunteer Referral Center (VRC) serves an integral role in New York City by connecting skilled willing volunteers with the needs of nonprofit organizations. Through its intensive hands-on process VRC works closely with partner agencies to determine their needs and expectations and conducts personal interviews with all prospective volunteers to determine skills and interests. This process, refined over a 30+ year history, promotes good matches between volunteer and agency and a satisfactory working partnership, frequently over a long term. VRC's "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)" provides additional information (e.g., types of volunteer opportunities, minimum commitment, etc.). WHO DOES THIS PROGRAM AIM TO SERVE? High school students to retirees. HAVE VRC'S PROGRAMS BEEN SUSPENDED DUE TO COVID-19? No. VRC believes NYC needs it services now more than ever and continually posts about how NYC can help each other through volunteer opportunities in their "Caring & Connecting During COVID-19" posts. Read More... Word Up Community Bookshop (Liberería Comunitaria), a program of the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization Seven Stories Institute, is a multilingual, general-interest community bookshop and arts space in Washington Heights, New York City, committed to preserving and building a neighborhood in which all residents help each other to live better informed and more expressive lives, using books as an instrument of reciprocal education and exchange, empowering not only themselves, but their community. Word Up is run by volunteers from the uptown community. By hosting readings, concerts, screenings, art exhibitions, talks and workshops, community meetings, and other activities for kids and adults, Word Up does their best to support and fortify the creative spirit unique to their diverse, uptown community. WHO DOES WORD UP AIM TO SERVE? All residents in the Washington Heights community. HAS WORD UP SUSPENDED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES DUE TO COVID-19? Word Up Bookshop has temporarily closed its physical shop until further notice. Many events have been moved online. For status of upcoming Word Up events, please visit wordupbooks.wordpress.com/wordupevents or email events@wordupbooks.com. Read More... The Hostos CUNY Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Program (WIPA) at Hostos Community College is a Social Security Administration (SSA) funded program designed to provide accurate information and guidance to SSA beneficiaries with a disability, who want to work and need to know how employment will affect their Social Security and health benefits. WHO DOES THIS PROGRAM AIM TO SERVE? The objective of the program is to provide in-depth counseling to individuals that: • Receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) between the ages of 14 and full retirement age • Live in the boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx • Work or are actively seeking employment or attending an educational/vocational program on how to effectively use SSA work incentives to begin or return work WHAT IS THE TICKET TO WORK PROGRAM? Social Security Administration (SSA) offers beneficiaries with disabilities various employment services such as the Ticket to Work Program. Ticket to Work can connect individuals with the right mix of free employment support services from approved service providers that best fit individual needs. To learn more about Ticket to Work, please visit https://choosework.ssa.gov or call the Ticket to Work hotline at (866) 968-7842. HAS THIS PROGRAM BEEN SUSPENDED DUE TO COVID-19? Due to COVID-19, in-person classes, meetings and appointments have been suspended or moved online. For updates to Hostos' response to COVID-19, please visit www.hostos.cuny.edu/Ready. For updates on CUNY's response to COVID-19, please visit www.cuny.edu/coronavirus. For resources to support students impacted by COVID-19, CUNY has provided "CUNY Continuity for Students." Read More... Yoga to the People offers yoga classes for a suggested donation (pay what you wish to pay) in the various locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Yoga to the People also offers online Yoga Teacher Trainings (e.g., Power Vinyasa, Traditional Hot Yoga, Continuing Education, Advanced Studies, etc.). Yoga to the People operates multiple studios including: • ST MARKS: 12 Saint Marks Place, 2R, New York, NY 10003, stmarks@yogatothepeople.com • 27TH STREET: 115 W. 27th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10001, 27th@yogatothepeople.com • 38TH STREET: 1017 6th Ave. @ 38th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10018, 38th@yogatothepeople.com • UPPER WEST SIDE: 2710 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10025, UWS@yogatothepeople.com • BROOKLYN: 211 N. 11th Street, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11211, brooklyn@yogatothepeople.com HAS YOGA TO THE PEOPLE SUSPENDED CLASSES DUE TO COVID-19? Yoga to the People studios are closed. Online classes are offered in the following formats: • Live Streamed Classes • Workshops & Talks • Video Library • Podcasts For up-to-date changes, please visit Yoga to the People's website. Read More... Zoom is a web-based video conferencing tool with a local, desktop client and a mobile app that allows users to meet online, with or without video. Zoom users can choose to record sessions, collaborate on projects, and share or annotate on one another's screens, all with one easy-to-use platform. Zoom video tutorials teach users how to utilize Zoom's features: • Joining a Meeting • Scheduling a Meeting with Zoom Website • Scheduling a Meeting with Google Calendar • Scheduling a Meeting with Microsoft Outlook • Meeting Controls • Assigning Scheduling Privilege in Outlook • Scheduling a Zoom Webinar • Breakout Rooms • Closed Captioning Zoom experts host free and interactive live training webinars daily. Register for a live webinar here. Recorded training sessions in multiple language are available here. HOW CAN STUDENTS USE ZOOM? Some schools use Zoom to offer hybrid classrooms, office hours and administrative meetings. Students can use Zoom to meet with fellow students on group projects, homework assignments, online tutoring or club meetings. To assist students and educators, Zoom published a "Comprehensive Guide to Educating through Zoom." IS ZOOM FREE TO USE? Zoom offers a full-featured basic plan for free with unlimited meetings and a 40 minute time limit on meetings with three or more total participants. IS ZOOM SAFE TO USE? As with any online application or software, users should take appropriate precautions to guard their privacy and security. To protect users, Zoom provided resources on "Privacy and Security." Read More... | |