After 20 Years, Time to Increase Cal Grant Funding for Students Attending Private Colleges

The buying power of Cal Grant financial aid for students attending independent nonprofit colleges and universities has plummeted by almost half since 2000. That would change under legislation (AB 1307) by Assemblymember Blanca Rubio (West Covina) that the Bay Area Council’s Workforce of the Future Committee is supporting. The bill calls for increasing Cal Grant funding available for these students from $9,084 annually to $11,393 and providing for future increases tied to support for students in the California State University system.

Cal Grants are the largest source of state-funded student financial aid. Across the state, 27,300 students at independent institutions receive Cal Grant awards; 47% are Latino, 22% Caucasian, 16% Asian American and 6% African American. Additionally, 49% of Cal Grant students are first generation students and traditionally underrepresented in higher education. The Council supports investment in California’s future workforce through stable funding for these diverse students. For more information on the Workforce of the Future Committee, please contact Senior Vice President Linda Bidrossian.