For a decade California held the line on college fee increases.
But this year Gov. Gray Davis was faced with a budget shortfall and
a Legislature that would not approve new revenues, which left the
state’s three public college and university systems with no
choice but to increase student fees.
A sagging national economy that has crippled state budgets
across the country has led to college and university tuition
increases, course cutbacks or enrollment caps in virtually every
state. In other states, financial aid programs are drying up while
fees are being increased. California students should know, however,
that Gov. Davis and the Legislature have maintained their
commitment to affordable higher education with guaranteed financial
aid for needy students.
Students and families are understandably suffering from sticker
shock as classes begin. That’s why it is so important that
each campus spread word about the good news ““ yes, there is
some ““ contained in this year’s budget for college
students.
At the same time the Legislature and governor made budget cuts
that would lead to fee increases, they also significantly increased
financial aid so needy students would not pay more. They also
included in the budget the most generous funding to date ““
$38 million ““ to improve financial aid programs and outreach
to needy students at community colleges. This funding will ensure
that bureaucratic roadblocks and overburdened financial aid offices
won’t stand in the way of any needy student going to
college.
Under the Community College Board of Governors’ fee waiver
program, needy students will continue to pay no fees at community
colleges, California’s gateway to higher education and better
job opportunities for thousands of students. More than half a
million students have their fees waived under this program and that
number is expected to rise to cover the need as fees are
increased.
Under the most generous financial aid program in the nation, the
Cal Grant guarantee program signed by Davis in 2000, all students
who meet grade and eligibility requirements will continue to
receive payment of full college and university fees, including fee
increases, at the University of California and California State
University.
Additionally, students can access myriad institutional grants,
scholarships and federal work-study aid available through colleges,
community organizations, private businesses and more.
Today, over 240,000 students receive a Cal Grant award.
Taxpayers support this program with $661 million a year, which
provides full fee coverage to financially eligible students
enrolled at our public universities as well as the opportunity to
attend the state’s private colleges. Since 1999, the number
of awards under the Cal Grant program has increased 111 percent.
All students are encouraged to apply for this financial aid because
even in tough financial times, the governor and Legislature are
committed to making college accessible to as many students as
possible, regardless of their financial circumstances.
Even with the fee increases, California’s colleges and
universities remain among the most affordable and accessible in the
nation. That’s a commitment we intend to keep.
Fuentes-Michel is the executive director of the California
Student Aid Commission.