The California Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC) recently took a look at how affordable a community college education really is for students and their families. The Institute for College Access & Success submitted the following comment to the Commission prior to their September 23-24 meeting, where the report was discussed.

Commissioners:

The Institute for College Access & Success conducts research and advocacy geared toward helping students access and succeed in college, regardless of income or background. A primary focus of the Institute is looking at college affordability issues within California, and for community college students specifically.

We would like to commend the Commission for looking at this issue, which is rarely addressed in a broader context than the system's low fee levels. The report brings much needed attention to the fact that a CCC education is less affordable than it used to be, and that the problem is worst for the lowest-income students and families.

We are concerned that the Commission's analysis of California community college affordability is too narrow. By focusing only on students who live with their parents, the analysis excludes the majority of students enrolled in the colleges, including four out of every ten full-time students. Also, the definition of "minimum costs" used throughout the report dramatically underestimates the costs that students face, or what the institutions themselves tell students about college costs. Using such a narrow focus minimizes the extent of the affordability problem at the community colleges.

Financial aid is a crucial element in looking at college costs, and we are glad that the issue was broached in this analysis. By looking only briefly at grant aid amounts for students who receive it, and in tandem with the Commission's definition of "minimum costs", this again undercuts the true scope of affordability challenges for community college students. Specifically, the Commission's analysis failed to mention how relatively few community college students receive Cal Grants, the state's own need-based aid program, and how Cal Grant award levels have stagnated, worsening affordability issues even for the lucky recipients.

We would welcome an opportunity to discuss these issues and concerns around community college affordability with Commissioners or Commission staff.

Sincerely,

Debbie Frankle Cochrane
Research Analyst

Robert Shireman
President

Posted by Shannon Gallegos at 11:40 AM | Permalink

The Rethinking Student Aid study group released "Fulfilling the Commitment: Recommendations for Reforming Federal Student Aid," a report that evaluates the current federal student aid system, and develops a new strategy for financial aid programs.

Members of the media have asked the Institute for College Access & Success' President Robert Shireman for his thoughts on the recommendations, and here's what he has to say:

There are enough specifics that the proposals could have legs. Too often these types of commissions produce unrealistic wish lists and vague exhortations. In contrast, this group took a more hard-headed analytical approach. They came up with some creative ideas and made some tough choices. The proposals are clear enough that policymakers could actually follow up. Of course, being specific and not asking for the moon also means that there will be dissent. The proposals will prompt the type of discussion that can yield actual improvements in college access and success.

The savings proposal is the newest and most interesting. Telling a low-income family that some money has been put aside in an account sends a much stronger signal than telling them 'there's a program you can apply to.' Money in the bank, when the child is in middle school and still has high aspirations, will help parents and students to plan and prepare both financially and academically.

In principle it makes a lot of sense to have just one loan program. But that subsidy shouldn't just be taken away. It should benefit students with improved help in repayment and more grant aid. The idea of increased loan limits needs to be approached carefully. We need to pay attention to how colleges may respond, and also how parents respond. It would be best to encourage parents to take on some of the burden before students take on more.

An incentive fund for states makes a lot of sense, but it's been difficult for the idea to get traction. It's not very sexy. But given the huge state role in funding higher education, it's probably one of the most important things the federal government could do, if done creatively.

Posted by Edie Irons at 10:59 AM | Permalink