When many people think about the college experience, they think of a wonderful education, tons of fun, a chance for a bright future - and the extraordinary financial expense. But in California, things are changing.
Earlier this week, California enacted the nation's largest-ever financial aid program. The plan, Cal-Grants, benefits needy high school students with good grades, guaranteeing them money that goes toward a full tuition at California's public colleges and universities.
The program provides the most significant increase in higher education funding since the G.I. Bill, which was enacted after World War II to enable former soldiers to go to college.
The new grant program is a historic opportunity for the government and legislature to expand financial aid for education. Ralph Salazar, spokesman for California Gov. Gray Davis, said the plan "finally shows students that if they study hard and get good grades, the state of California will make college a reality for them."
With a blend of need and merit, the program offers varying amounts of aid. "B" students with a family income under $64,000 would qualify for free tuition at any public university, and "C" students, while they would not qualify for full tuition stipends, still would be able to receive funding in order to support further education at community colleges.
"B" students also would have the option of receiving $9,700 a year toward the cost of a private tuition.
University Financial Aid Director Yvonne Hubbard said she thought the grant program represented lawmakers' realization that students often carry a heavy debt burden when they graduate from college.
The program is important because it guarantees access to college for students who otherwise would not be able to afford it, Hubbard said.
"Every time any of the governments commits itself to grant-based aid or need-based aid, it's a good thing because it recognizes the importance of a college education and the opportunity that we have in our current economic situation," she said, noting the importance of government interaction in financing higher education.
Virginia does not have such an extensive financial-aid program, but the closest equivalent to Cal-Grants at the University is the Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program, which awards scholarships based on both need and grade-point average.
But unlike the California program, in which the state provides guaranteed full assistance, the Virginia government allocates only a certain amount to each school.
Education School Dean David W. Breneman said the program is "important, not just in itself, [but it] is important that a major state is reasserting the primacy of financial need as a main criterion for financial aid"
Read More
Police forcefully clear encampment near University Chapel, detain protesters
By Thomas Baxter and Finn Trainer | 4 hours agoThe University declared the encampment an unlawful assembly at 2:44 p.m.
Student Council passes appointment bill, approves new CIOs at final meeting of semester
By Arshiya Pant | YesterdayMendoza Gonzalez also said she will be meeting with Kenyon R. Bonner, vice president and chief student affairs officer, to discuss further strategies for the Student Council Endowment Fund.
Professors speak about leading productive dialogue on Israel-Hamas war
By Lexie Stadler | 2 days agoThe event was hosted by the University’s Task Force on Religious Diversity and Belonging, which is designed to ensure that the University is welcoming to community members from all religions and cultures.
