Looking at the current policy landscape through a lens that prioritizes California adults without a postsecondary degree, Policy and Research Analyst Taylor Myers provides an overview of proposals targeted to either increase the number of financial aid awards or the amount of awards offered to eligible students.
Substantial policy reforms introduced this month could increase access to financial aid for millions of Californians, including 4 million adults in the state who have attempted college but did not complete a degree. From increasing grant amounts to changing eligibility requirements, the proposed changes aim to address a significant barrier many adults face in attempting to return to college: affording the full cost of attendance.
Why should the state focus on affordability for adult students? Nearly two-thirds of California’s jobs by 2025 will require post-high school education. California’s two- and four-year public colleges and universities are currently working to improve degree completion, but even in best-case scenarios, the state is likely to fall short of closing the postsecondary credential gap. To meet the state’s projected economic needs, policymakers need to think beyond traditional college freshmen. The new “typical” student is an employed adult—balancing work, school, and family obligations.
State financial support of adult students is imperative; policymakers are now considering several options that would impact this group.
