California Student Aid Commission Announces Record Financial Aid Data

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif., April 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The California Student Aid Commission (Commission) has released its annual analysis of Cal Grant award recipients per Assembly and Senate District for academic year 2009-10.

The number of eligible 2009-10 Cal Grant High School Entitlement recipients increased 10 percent over the prior year. The Commission is still awarding new 2010-11 Cal Grant High School Entitlement awards. Currently, the Commission has awarded over 81,000 new 2010-11 Cal Grant High School Entitlement awards, a 6% increase over the total number awarded in 2009-10. Due to the statutory limit of 22,500 new Cal Grant Competitive awards, only 1 in 10 eligible Cal Grant Competitive applicants received an award in 2009-10.

Executive Director Diana Fuentes-Michel commented: "The Cal Grant program has traditionally received enormous support from legislators. The Commission is pleased that our state leaders recognize the need for low income students to have the ability to access postsecondary or career technical education in order to maintain the economic viability of our state. The information we provide in this report reinforces the continuing need for outreach and legislative collaboration within these districts, particularly those who have a predominance of qualifying students."

Senator Barry Keene stated: "As a former Senate member and current Chair of the Commission, I can personally attest that the availability of this data is a critical planning asset for the Legislature. As elected officials, we are always appreciative of information which underscores the value of targeted advocacy and outreach activities for our constituency. California's best and brightest should not be denied advanced educational opportunities because of their personal financial circumstances, and this district-specific information propels continued efforts."

California's legislative districts are comprised of 80 Assembly Districts and 40 Senate Districts, each having a minimum population of 420,000 residents. The report "2009-10 Cal Grant Recipients and Dollars by Legislative District" is available on the Commission's website and can be accessed via the following link:

http://www.csac.ca.gov/pubs/forms/grnt_frm/2009-10_CalGrantsbyCAlegislativedistrict.pdf.

The Commission has provided this information to the Higher Education Roundtable, comprised of representatives from the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, California Community Colleges, California Department of Education, California Postsecondary Education Commission, California State University, and University of California.

The California Student Aid Commission is the principal state agency responsible for administering financial aid programs for students attending public and private universities, colleges, and vocational schools in California. The Commission will distribute over $1 billion to California's college students during the 2009-10 academic year through its Cal Grant, specialized and loan forgiveness programs. The Commission also administers financial aid awareness and outreach programs, such as Cal-SOAP and Cash for College, in collaboration with business, private industry and community-based organizations.

SOURCE California Student Aid Commission