With an abrupt move to online learning now in the rearview, schools have to make it work in the long run with training for both teachers and students, infrastructure investments, innovative new tools and a funding plan.
By Nate Galvan | galvanna@sonoma.edu Rohnert Park, CA This week the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom shared a landmark report outlining strategies, policies, and practices to help California’s post-secondary institutions emerge from the pandemic stronger and better poised to prepare Californians wi
Increase State Financial Aid and Target Students in Need
About 74 percent of the $14.1 billion in grant aid that states awarded for the 2019 academic year was need-based (a slight decrease from the previous year), meaning it went to low-income students who struggle the most to pay for college. The other 26 percent was merit-based, meaning it was awarded to students who meet certain criteria typically measured by high school GPA or college entry exam scores regardless of household income.
Need-based aid is intended to expand access to higher education for low-income students. Financial aid is critical for their access to higher education and graduation. One careful study found that a $1,000 increase in grant aid reduces the likelihood that a student will drop out of college by 9.2 percentage points.