Governor to sign aid grant

Every California high school graduate who meets basic requirements will now have the money to get a college education through a vastly expanded financial aid program.

Gov. Gray Davis is expected to sign a measure revising the Cal Grant program in the next two weeks. The new plan, which has received bi-partisan support, could drastically change the face of higher education in California by providing thousands more poor and middle-income students with the money to go to college.

"I think the fact that California had a budget surplus allowed the leaders to think creatively about long term changes that will benefit our future," said Hilary McLean, chief deputy press secretary for Gov. Davis. "This is absolutely a wonderful example."

The revised program promises all high school students who get a B average and whose families can show financial need, the money to pay Cal Sate or University of California fees, or $9,700 toward a private school.

The program would also extend to those students with a C average and provide extra help to community college transfer students.

The measure puts grade point averages into law for the first time, McLean said. Prior to the new plan, award decisions were made administratively. Depending on the availability of funds, the G.P.A. requirement was raised or lowered each year. Now, for the first time ever, a specified G.P.A. will officially translate into an award.

"This program guarantees that any student who makes the grades and shows need will be entitled to help," McLean said. "The governor wants to say, 'If you do your part, the state will do its part to help you achieve your goals.'"

The new program, which could cost as much as $1.2 billion, is expected to reach as many as one out of every three high school graduates.

"I'm very pleased with the way it has worked out," said Gloria Kapp, director of admissions and financial aid at Cal State Long Beach. "I think it's an excellent improvement in the Cal Grant system."

Kapp said that the new plan will provide a much larger number of CSULB students with Cal Grant Funds. In 1996, 792 students received Cal Grant A funds, she said. In 1999, that number increased to 1,100. By 2001, Kapp estimates that well over 1,500 CSULB students will receive a Cal Grant A award.

"Many plans are sometimes criticized for only rewarding the brightest kids," said CSULB President Robert Maxson. "This will help all students."

Maxson stressed the importance of a plan that takes the question of affordability out of the equation for students. He believes many more high school graduates will plan to go straight to four-year colleges and take heavier class loads as a result.

"I know a lot of people who decided just to work because they figured they couldn't qualify (for financial aid)," said Nikki Gonzaba, a kinesiology and physical education major.

Gonzaba agreed with Maxon in that more high school students will plan to go to college if they know they can afford it. She praised the new program, citing her own difficulties in meeting deadlines and arguing her case with financial aid officers.

The reformed program will include a revised, smaller merit scholarship program initially proposed by Davis. That program will provide $118 million in scholarships to the top performers on Stanford 9 and Advanced Placement exams in math and science.