Government policies and priorities have a tremendous impact on the lives of students. Elected representatives have direct influence over student financial aid, campus safety, recruitment and retention programs and almost every aspect of student life. The strength in numbers that USSA possesses is unprecedented. When schools big and small, no matter how active, get together, the resources and the political clout they have is enormous. Governments, on any level ignore groups that pose no political threat or have no collective voice. By mobilizing and uniting a powerful grassroots force of students all over the country, we build our power, develop leaders and engage in the political process. Only by pooling our resources will students have the capability to effectively make their voice heard and win concrete victories!

Some of the victories we as students have won by working together are:

• Restoration of key higher education programs such as LEAP, GEAR UP, Upward Bound, Talent Search, Thurgood Marshall, and Perkins Loan Cancellation that help keep college accessible and affordable for all students

• Appointments to the Department of Education Negotiated Rulemaking Committees - our President, Vice President, and Legislative Director sit on committees dealing with key issues such as student loans, academic competitiveness grants, SMART grants, and general provisions of the Higher Education Act

• The first increase to the Pell Grant in five years

• Renewal of the historic Voting Rights Act

• Cut student loan interest rates in half

• Building student electoral power through registration of over 44,000 students to vote on 28 campuses in 5 states

Some of the services campuses and state/system student associations receive as members:

Direct Campus Members -

• Regular legislative updates and analysis

• Discounted rates for trainings and conferences

• Staff and technical support for local, statewide, and national grassroots campaigns

• Organizing manuals and factsheets on issues members prioritize

• Voting privileges at our membership conference and a possible seat on our National Board of Directors

• Help in developing voter registration drives and Get Out the Vote (GOTV) campaigns

• Opportunities to network with engaged student leaders from around the country

State/System Student Association (SSA) Members -

• Priority strategy support for state campaigns impacting students

• Upon request, providing skilled trainers and organizers for board development

• SSA legislative and organizing conference calls

• Access to USSA's national SSA network

• Discounted rates for USSA's SSA Staff Training