Financial shortfalls hamper college dreams. Here's what can help California students
Yajun Chen is an A student, but may turn down the University of California for a community college. Eric Xie-McCarthy achieved a 4.6 GPA in a rigorous course load, but had to consider forgoing a rich residential experience at his top choice, UC Berkeley, to save money and commute to UCLA. And Nadia Alwiny was accepted into the highly competitive ArtCenter College of Design, but was heartbroken when she thought she would have to decline the offer.
These seniors at Downtown Magnets High School in Los Angeles are nearing the end of an arduous, stressful college admissions season — among the most competitive ever. And while many experienced the euphoria of an acceptance letter to their dream school, they are now confronted with the same stark reality facing millions of students in the Class of 2022 as the national deadline for college decisions approaches on Sunday.
It's not enough to receive a hard-earned admission offer. Students and their families have to be able to afford to accept it.
"For many people, financial aid is the make-or-break factor for attending college," said Eric, whose offer from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign was so low — a $5,000 scholarship to
