Limited College Access to Increase
June 2005
by Ariel Carmona Jr.
California- A recent report warns limited college access is becoming a major problem in California and makes recommendations to help the state’s already overcrowded universities cope with a predicted enrollment explosion by fall of 2013.
The report by the non-profit campaign for College Opportunity includes new data that shows the likely demand for California community colleges and universities at the undergraduate level, estimating an additional 837,000 students in less than a decade.
“While Californians are polarized on many issues, there was resounding agreement in every region and from all sectors that the state must develop a plan to ensure college opportunity for this growing young population.” Abdi Soltani, executive director of the organization said in a written statement.
The report’s recommendations to improve college access for California’s people of college age included the development of a long term plan including state and community colleges, private schools, K-12 and provisions for financial aid.
Another recommendation was setting a predictable fee policy and schedule to produce revenue, and better education on financial aid availability.
Susan Jones director of financial aid at Mount San Antonio College, and president of the Financial Aid Association of California Community Colleges said colleges are already doing a lot of media advertising including setting up websites and radio announcements. “We do a lot of outreach to the community and on campus,” Jones said.
Another recommendation was to make funding for higher education a top priority of the governor and the state Legislature.