Statement on Senate Democrats Plan for Higher Education

Today, California’s Senate pro Tempore Kevin de León joined long-time higher education champion Senator Marty Block, in proposing a visionary set of higher education policies aimed at improving college access, affordability, and completion.

The plan calls for additional state investment to increase the number of spots and course offerings for CSU and UC students while also increasing Cal Grant aid.  The plan also tackles time to degree and proposes two recommendations we outlined in our report, The Real Cost of College. First, through the proposed Completion Incentive Grant, CSU students would be given a financial incentive to enroll in 15 units per semester which helps ensure they can graduate within four years. Second, the plan proposes $50 million each to the UC and CSU for an increase in critical student support services to ensure students receive the guidance they need to finish their degree on time.