Foreword

California Trends in Student Aid: 1990 to 1996 presents the most comprehensive perspective on student aid in California during the 1990s. This report updates an earlier Center report, Trends in Student Aid: California (1995), by providing two additional years of data: 1994-95 and 1995-96. Both reports were completed under the leadership of Larry Gladieux of the College Board. California Trends in Student Aid: 1990 to 1996 summarizes, from 1990-91 through 1995-96: all the major sources of financial aid (federal, state and institutional) for California students; the types of aid available; the amount of funding for each type of aid; and the distribution of student aid dollars among the three public sectors, the private nonprofit colleges and universities, and the proprietary institutions.

This report also raises policy issues about the cost and affordability of higher education in California. It raises questions about the role of financial aid in the overall funding of higher education. And it questions the role of the state and of institutions in providing student aid.

As student aid becomes a more central concern for California higher education, reliable data collection and reporting is critical for informed policy making. The College Board has fulfilled this important role by providing data from 1990-91 through 1995-96. Whether readers agree or disagree with the methodologies and perspectives of Gladieux and the staff of the College Board, they will likely agree that the reports have been informative and stimulating. The Center believes it is important for California to maintain the collection and reporting of this valuable data.

The Center welcomes the reactions of readers to this report.

Joni Finney
Associate Director
The California Higher Education Policy Center

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