California’s state colleges and universities open the door to new opportunities and social mobility for students from lower-income communities and students of color. At the Education Trust–West, we believe there can be no pandemic recovery without education equity. Now more than ever, it is critical that we provide equitable access to postsecondary education. It is vital to sustaining our democracy, building our future workforce, and moving all of us closer to racial justice.
That is why we are going ALL IN for Governor Newsom’s budget proposal that aims to ensure all high school seniors have an opportunity to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a California Dream Act Application (CADAA).
Approximately $550 million in federal and state aid goes unused because California students are either unaware of the aid, don’t know how to apply or if they qualify, or fear sharing personal information because of their immigration status.
No student should be denied the opportunity to pursue a postsecondary education because they were never made aware of their financial aid options. These funds are critical for enabling more students from lower-income communities, who make up about 61% of California’s population, to access higher education or occupational certificates.
Take action today: Sign on to show your support of Governor Newsom's budget proposal and stay up-to-date on other ways you can be #AllInForFinancialAid. To learn more, visit:
bit.ly/AllInForFinancialAid.