Addressing the Rising Costs of a College Education
Millions of students and their families struggle to pay the rising costs of a college education:
- In California, the cost of attending a four-year public college increased 43 percent between the school years of 2000-2001 and 2005-2006.
- Each year, more than 400,000 high school graduates across the country who are fully prepared to attend a four-year college do not do so because of the extraordinary financial burden they would face.
Financial Aid Assistance for Students
That’s why federal Pell Grants are so important. They are the cornerstone of our need-based financial aid system ensuring that all students have access to higher education. And unlike a loan, a Pell Grant does not have to be repaid.
These grants help over 5.3 million low and middle income students afford college, including over 623,000 California students.
 I encourage students applying for college to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application is then sent to your school, where a financial aid package is put together to fit your needs.
The amount you are awarded depends on your financial need, as well as the costs to attend your school, your status as a full-time or part-time student, and your plans to attend school for a full academic year or less. But for those most at need, more funding is now available.
Increasing Pell Grant Awards
Thanks to recent legislation approved by the Senate, students will soon be able to receive larger Pell Grants to help pay for school. The maximum Pell Grant amount will increase by $1,990 over five years – from the current $4,310 level to $6,300.
Also passed by the Senate is a measure to eliminate the “tuition sensitivity” provision that unfairly prevents students who attend low-cost institutions – such as community colleges – from receiving the maximum Pell Grant award. In California, over 260,000 community college students will benefit from this one simple fix.
For more information on Pell Grants, visit the U.S. Department of Education at: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/PellGrants.jsp?tab=funding.
To apply for financial aid, fill out the FAFSA form at: www.fafsa.ed.gov.
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