Governor says financial aid doubled

Higher education has become an issue of debate in the California race for govenor.

In an effort to defend his record on higher education, Gov. Pete Wilson said in a campaign statement that the money available for student loans more than doubled, to almost $700 million per year, during his four years as governor.

Wilson did not mention, however, that student fees have also more than doubled in most cases. In 1990-91, California State University fees were set at $780 for full-time students, according to figures from Cal State Lo ng Beach's budget and human resources office. CSULB full-time students this year will pay $1,751 in registration fees.

Full-time tuition fees at community colleges have also more than doubled during Wilson's term. Wilson also removed community coll ege students' 12-unit tuition cap that allowed them to enroll in more than 12 units for the same fee.

For example, in 1989-90, community colleges charged $5 per unit or $50 for 12 or more units. In 1993-94, with no cap, costs soared to $10 per uni t or $120 for 12, while students enrolled in 15 units paid $150.

UC schools, since 1991, have also increased their fees by 105 percent. More funds may have become available over the years, but tuition fees are winning the race in the higher educat ion battle.

Gloria Kapp, director of admissions and financial aid at CSULB, said whenever student fees are increased, the state university grants will rise to supplement students' budgets affected by the fee hikes.

"The amount of financial aid given to students has increased significantly," Kapp said. Probably, the biggest motivating factor of the rise in funds, she said, has been the increase in student fees.

Wilson also neglected to mention that CSU budget cuts have totaled nearly $1 95 million since he took office, while the UC budget was cut by $338.2 million.

Additionally, each year, more and more students are denied Cal Grants, as the grant's GPA requirement becomes even more stringent.

During the 1990-91 school year, W ilson denied 61,015 Cal Grants. In 1991-92, the number of students denied moved up to 90,437, and in 1992- 93, 105,903 students were denied Cal Grants.

Another affect of tuition fee hikes is that more students then need to apply for financial aid, c ausing more competition for funds.

In the 1992-93 school year, there were 7,100 students who received financial aid at CSULB. That figure increased to 8,500 in 1993-94. Kapp said this year's figures will most likely be even greater.

Although th ere is more money available for financial aid, Kapp said there has been a decline in the number of CSULB students eligible for those funds.

The government determines who can afford school, based on the cost of education, living expenses and income levels. On paper, a 10 percent tuition increase may not be enough to make students eligible for aid, but it may be enough to put higher education out of students' reach.