Financial aid applications are down 25% compared to past years. Although application information has not been shared with immigration or other agencies in the past, many fear that will change.

National and California experts say Trump’s mass deportation plans make filling out the federal financial aid application for college a risk to students with undocumented parents. California’s own application has more safeguards.

Responding to a federal financial aid glitch, Caliifornia legislators and Gov. Gavin Newsom within two weeks gave students an additional month to apply for state aid.

While the Cal State and UC systems received more money in 2023, they still face financial challenges. And they also must address labor strife.

California colleges often reduce financial aid to students when they earn private grants, a practice known as scholarship displacement. A new state law bans the practice for low-income students starting next fall.

The Cal State system says current plans to expand Cal Grants would leave out more middle class students at San Jose State and other CSUs in the future, even though there would be a net gain of eligible students overall. Supporters of the expansion say Cal State officials are telling the whole story.