California State Update
by CASFAA President Vu Tran,
California State University - Los Angeles
www.casfaa.org/

California Governor Davis signed the 2000-2001 State Budget on June 30, 2000, meeting the constitutional deadline, which was often ignored in the past. With a continuing robust economy, the state's coffer is full and the $99.4 billion budget reflects significant increase in funding for education at all levels.

The K-12 spending per pupil increases by $480 from $6,321 in 1999-00 to $6,801 in 2000-01, a 7.5% increase in one year. In addition, a block grant of $425 million is allocated to school districts for expenditures on various areas such as technology staff development, instructional materials, library materials, computers, education technology, tutoring services, etc.

The Higher Education community also benefits from new or increased funding for various programs.

California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), the state financial aid agency, receives $98.9 million for the Cal Grants program, the Cal-SOAP program, and the State Work-Study program. This amount is by far the largest allocation ever received by CSAC. This budget will allow CSAC to fund about 25% of California high school graduates with Cal Grant awards, bringing the total number of new Cal Grant awards to about 77,603.

In addition, State University Fees (i.e. tuition) at public colleges and universities will remain the same at about $2,000 for the 23 California State University campuses, $3,700 for the 9 University of California campuses, and $50 at the 100+ California Community Colleges. High achieving students with top scores from the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) exam, and Math and Science Advancement Placement (AP) tests will be awarded merit scholarships from the new Governor's Scholars Program. Financial need is not a requirement under this merit scholarship program.

Moving to our state association business, we have been blessed with many volunteers, who, in spite of their heavy responsibility at work, have labored furiously during the past several months working on many projects helping us all to navigate the ever-changing financial aid waters.

First, ten one-day mini-conferences were conducted throughout the state during the month of June, providing an exceptional professional development opportunity for all staff members in the financial aid office, from frontline personnel to new, intermediate, and management level administrators. Interest sessions covered customer service issues, default prevention strategies, reauthorization student eligibility issues, return of Title IV funds, verification issues, providing services in a culturally diverse environment, and surviving a program review. Each mini-conference was opened with a keynote speaker addressing issues of motivational communication, and teamwork.

Secondly, the "DO-TALK" workshops in the middle of June gathered over 100 financial aid professionals discussing issues involving financial aid for graduate and professional students.

Thirdly, the second annual CASFAA Management Institute was held just before the July 4th weekend at Caltech, during which 24 financial aid professionals exchanged ideas and discussed various management issues involving the administration of an aid office.

Fourthly, in the middle of July, the CASFAA Ethnic Diversity Committee sponsored two "Diversity Awareness Workshops" with the theme "Building Bridges of Understanding." Consultants facilitated a personal and group exploration of race, shared a model for understanding issues involving racial identity, and developed skills for a respectful dialogue.

Finally, the CASFAA Scholarship committee recently awarded 42 various scholarships to CASFAA members supporting their professional development activities. These scholarship awards provide book grants for members attending college; expenses to attend the 2000 CASFAA Conference in San Diego, the WASFAA - Advance Training Institute, the CASFAA Mini-Conferences, and the CASFAA Executive Council meetings.

On behalf of CASFAA, I hope you and your family have had a restful and happy summer.