The Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success, and Altice USA Partner to Promote Education Success and College Accessibility

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Launches First “Coalition Day” for Educators, Students and Families

LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success (the Coalition), comprised of members from 148 distinguished colleges and universities committed to making college a reality for all high school students, and Altice USA (NYSE: ATUS), one of the largest broadband communications and video services providers in the United States with internet, TV and phone services under the Optimum and Suddenlink brands, today announce a partnership to raise awareness of college accessibility and the use of technology for education success.

Today, Wednesday, May 23, 2018, the Coalition is holding its inaugural “Coalition Day,” a series of events for high school students and their supporters taking place nationwide, including several marquee events in partnership with Altice USA in New York and North Carolina.

It’s never too early to start planning for college and not every student has the same opportunities for applying to college today. On Coalition Day, students and their families, school counselors, and educators across the country will be introduced to a range of free college-planning tools, including the Coalition’s online toolkit, MyCoalition, to help students prepare for and apply to college. Students also will hear from Coalition member college and university representatives about college affordability and the opportunity for eligible students to apply to Coalition member schools at no charge.

In addition, attendees will learn more about Altice USA’s Economy Internet, the company’s low-cost broadband program for households that qualify for the National School Lunch Program, to help students and families who may not have internet access in their homes, and thus, making applying for colleges, submitting financial aid and other forms challenging.

"The Coalition's 148 members believe in making college a reality for all students," says Annie Reznik, executive director of the Coalition. "Coalition Day is about members collaborating with one another to encourage under-resourced students to apply to college, not just their institution in particular. And, Altice USA, with its Economy Internet program, shares our commitment to helping low-income families get the resources that they need to make smart college choices. We so appreciate their partnership!”

In New York, participating locations include:

  • the Harry S. Truman High School in the Bronx for students and families; and
  • the SUNY Global Center, which will hold a session for counselors and leaders from community-based organizations, and another session for students and families.

In North Carolina, an informational session will be held at J.H. Rose High School in Greenville for students and administrators with Greenville Mayor PJ Connelly. Also, representatives will be present from the following Coalition member schools: North Carolina State, Wake Forest University, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

“It is our commitment as a technology and communications company to ensure that everyone in our local communities has access to the same opportunities through our digital affordability, literacy and education programs,” said Charles Stewart, Co-President and Chief Financial Officer of Altice USA and a Coalition philanthropic council member. “By partnering with the Coalition, which like us is focused on finding innovative ways to support the next generation of leaders, we are helping to bring college access to students nationwide, reinforcing the importance of education and technology.”

“Together as a community we need to ensure that all Bronx students have the knowledge and the tools that will best prepare them for college,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “I commend the partnership between the Coalition for Access, Success and Affordability and Altice USA, both of whom are committed to education success and higher achievement outcomes for our students.”

Additional Coalition Day events across the country include the following:

  • the University of Chicago, which will lead programs in 10 Chicago public high schools;
  • the University of Vermont for students from rural high schools around the state;
  • the University of Washington and the University of Washington-Bothell, which have partnered to host workshops for students in grades 9-11 and their families, high school counselors and local community-based organizations in Seattle;
  • Yale University, which will provide workshops to ninth- and 10th-grade students in four New Haven, Connecticut, public schools; and
  • the Academic Success Program (ASP) in Dallas for 11th-grade students from four high schools.

For more information about Coalition Day events and about the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success, visit www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org.

For more information about Altice USA in the community, visit www.alticeconnects.com

About The Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success

The Coalition was founded by a group of dedicated college leaders in 2015 with the goal to improve the college application process for all students, particularly those from historically under-represented groups. Members include a diverse group of public and private colleges and universities that are united in their mission to support lower-income and under-resourced students, provide students with responsible financial aid, and bolster students’ success in college.

About Altice USA

Altice USA (NYSE: ATUS), the U.S. business of Altice N.V. (Euronext: ATC, ATCB), is one of the largest broadband communications and video services providers in the United States, delivering broadband, pay television, telephony services, proprietary content and advertising services to approximately 4.9 million residential and business customers across 21 states through its Optimum and Suddenlink brands.

The Coalition
Annie Reznik
areznik@coalitionapp.org
or
Altice USA
Krista Ostertag
krista.ostertag@alticeusa.com

Source: Altice USA

Released May 23, 2018