California has a growing budget surplus due to an improving economy and tax increases approved by voters in 2012. Through this action, voters chose to invest in education at all levels. After years of draconian cuts to education, now is the time to reinvest in the future of our state.

We are facing an imminent threat to further reduce the funding for the Cal Grant maximum award by 11%, from $9,084 to $8,056, for low-income students who attend a private, nonprofit college or university in California. 

After two years of reduction to the award, this additional $1,000 cut will be devastating. Every dollar counts to achieve a college dream and as students, alumni and parents of California, we urge you, our leaders to reject the pending cut and preserve critical access to higher education.

​California needs MORE students with degrees in the workforce, not less. An educated workforce is crucial to meet the needs of our state and a global economy. Allowing students to choose a private, nonprofit higher education institution with the assistance of a Cal Grant is effective, efficient and utilizes California’s nonprofit sector to ease the capacity limitations of the public universities.

Our universities, parents, alumni and friends do their part to fund students' educational needs. For every Cal Grant dollar the state provides, private, nonprofit colleges and universities match it with $6 in aid for students. The ability for low-income, traditionally underrepresented students to leverage multiple sources of aid creates access to higher education and allows them to succeed! Cal Grant students attending private, nonprofit colleges and universities stay enrolled and graduate faster, thus joining the workforce sooner.