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Student Loan Forgiveness and New Affordable Healthcare Options
NCC Newsletter December 3, 2021 |
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| Watch the Webinar on How to Get Student Loans Forgiven |
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Religious workers and clergy are now eligible for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Eligibility for forgiveness depends on the status of an applicant's employer. Employees of 501(c)3 organizations are eligible.
Watch the recording of today's webinar with Attorney Ashley Harrington, a senior official at the Federal Student Aid Office of the US Department of Education, to learn further details about eligibility and how to fill out the form and apply. She warns against scammers and paying to apply as the form does not require a fee.
In light of the interest in student loan forgiveness after the Meet Up at the Christian Unity Gathering, the NCC is pleased to partner with the United Church of Christ to provide this information. |
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| Letters Signed by the NCC: |
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| Legislation to Reduce Overdose Prevention
The NCC joined a coalition of 240 civil rights, drug policy, criminal justice reform, public health, and faith-based organizations in urging members of Congress to pass legislation that will prioritize the evidence-based public health approaches we need to tackle the overdose crisis. These include critical harm reduction funding, the MAT Act, the STOP Fentanyl Act, and Medicaid Reentry. Read more. |
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Opposition to plans to sell air-to-air munitions to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The NCC joined 45 organizations to urge members of Congress to oppose a $650 million Saudi arms sale. Despite claiming defensive use, the proposed arms sale "risks fueling continued civilian harm by strengthening the Saudi-led coalition’s capacity to enforce its devastating air and sea blockade of Yemen. It also risks further perpetuating U.S. complicity in Saudi forces’ violations in Yemen, contrary to this administration’s obligations under international law and U.S. law." This joint resolution of disapproval will block these harmful arms sales, and be a step toward ending all U.S. involvement in the Saudi-led coalition’s armed conflict and unlawful blockade in Yemen. Read the letter. |
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| COVID-19 Pandemic Response: |
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Everyone ages 18 and older is now being advised to get a booster shot. The recent emergence of the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters, and prevention efforts needed to protect against COVID-19. Emerging evidence also shows that among healthcare and other frontline workers, vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 infections is also decreasing over time.
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| Week of Action for Voting Rights |
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| A Revival For Change: Faithful Democracy Week of Action is an effort to amplify the urgency of this critical moment to protect our voting rights and ensure that the Senate passes the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Each day, from Monday December 6th to Thursday December 9th, Faithful Democracy will send you ways you can "act in harmony with other people of faith from across the country."
The goal of this week of action is "to restore hope and ignite a revival of faith in our communities as we continue to push for the passage of critical legislation that counteract voter suppression laws across the country."
Register to participate in this week of action and amplify the urgency around voting rights so that the Senate acts to protect our democracy. |
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Open Enrollment for Healthcare Coverage is Here!
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| Next week, December 5-11, 2021, is the Faith Week of Action for encouraging people to #GetCovered. Funds from the American Rescue Plan have made it possible for four out of five enrollees to be able to find a plan for $10 or less per month after tax credits. Find a video advertisement about the lower prices here.
Partners’ tools and toolkits are available so faith and community leaders can help make sure people in your community know what coverage options are available to them. As we enter the holiday season, make sure you and your loved ones have access to healthcare and review the health care coverage options. Many affordable, quality plans are available at www.healthcare.gov. |
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The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and The Leadership Conference Education Fund have several opportunities available. See list at this link.
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| Give During the Holiday Season |
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In a time of pandemics and divisions - make a gift to the National Council of Churches to support our work toward unity.
Your gift would further our goals of:
• ending racism and mass incarceration,
• nurturing spiritual practices and deepening our understanding of our faith, and
• strengthening interfaith relations with a focus on peace.
Help us build a more just and equitable community that chooses grace over greed, love over hate, and faith over fear. |
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Jim Winkler's column will return next week.
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If you find our newsletter informative, please forward it to friends and colleagues!
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