College students often take out loans they don't need, due in part to unhelpful communication from schools and loan servicers. California is trying to improve communication to ease that burden.
If Congress beefed up the yearly Pell Grant award, UC students would be able to use more of their financial aid to cover additional basic living expenses and reduce their housing and food insecurity, while borrowing less.
The once-in-a-lifetime pandemic drove Congress and two presidential administrations to approve $69 billion in Covid relief for higher education with the highest amount, more than $9.5 billion, for California colleges and universities.
An academic year of distance learning has left many graduating seniors with gaps in their learning. Colleges are preparing to help with tutoring, summer brush-up and empathetic faculty.
