Student Loans

Higher Education

Young people don’t trust ads for financial aid. California is polishing its pitch

The California Student Aid Commission conducted focus groups and found emotional messages connected well with students and parents. They then said they were more likely to apply for financial aid.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • June 28, 2024

Higher Education

Student loan relief deadline approaching for 300,000 California borrowers

Student loan borrowers can become eligible for lower payments or faster debt forgiveness by applying for federal loan consolidation by June 30.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • June 10, 2024

Higher Education

Financial aid for California students takes a hit in Gavin Newsom’s new budget proposal

In Gov. Gavin Newsom’s revised budget, he proposed significant cuts to the Middle Class Scholarship, which provides financial aid to more than 300,000 students. He also signaled that he won’t expand the Cal Grant program, a plan that was based on adequate funding in the state budget.

By Adam Echelman • May 10, 2024

Higher Education

When is a California college degree worth the cost? A new study has answers

Students attending California’s public colleges and universities see better returns on investment than those at most nonprofit private colleges and for-profit institutions.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • May 9, 2024

Higher Education

California extends student financial aid deadline

After a federal financial aid glitch, students will have more time to apply for state aid.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • March 25, 2024

Higher Education

California may extend financial aid deadline for students impacted by federal delays

A new federal student aid application is blocking some students from completing their forms. Now California legislators are trying to extend the deadline for state student aid.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • March 15, 2024

Higher Education

Students panic after new financial aid application blocks them: ‘I don’t know who to call’

When parents without Social Security numbers try to fill out the aid application on behalf of their children, they are blocked from continuing. Federal officials are offering no information about when the problem will be fixed.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • February 12, 2024

WhatMatters

California Attorney General Rob Bonta goes after the NFL, and tobacco

As California’s top law enforcement official, Attorney General Rob Bonta has plenty of leeway for his to-do list. This week, he’s using his powers widely on some hot-button issues. NFL sexual harassment: Saying that no company is too big or powerful to be “above the law” Bonta announced a joint investigation on Thursday with New […]

By Lynn La • May 5, 2023

WhatMatters

Police videos don’t always tell the whole story

In response to calls for greater police accountability, California passed laws to make police misconduct records more accessible to the public and placed the state Attorney General’s office in charge of investigating police killings of unarmed civilians. Following the 2018 Sacramento police shooting of Stephon Clark, who was unarmed, lawmakers now require law enforcement agencies […]

By Lynn La • April 10, 2023

WhatMatters

Will California join TikTok ban?

President Biden signed a law banning nearly 4 million federal employees from having TikTok on their government phones, over national security concerns. This week, New Jersey and Ohio joined at least 20 other states in restricting access to TikTok, amid fears that the Chinese government could use the app to spy on Americans.   Will California […]

By Sameea Kamal • January 12, 2023