Student Loans

College Beat

Universities can’t yank financial aid from students who get private scholarships, new law says

California colleges often reduce financial aid to students when they earn private grants, a practice known as scholarship displacement. Students say it’s unfair to lose funds they’ve worked hard for and need to pay for soaring living costs. This year, the state agreed, and banned the practice for low-income students starting in the 2023-24 academic year.

By Alyssa Story • November 2, 2022

Higher Education

UC system takes another step toward keeping students debt-free

By officially prioritizing part-time work as a way for students to pay for college, the University of California moved closer to its goal of students avoiding burdensome loans by 2030.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • May 20, 2022

California Divide

Why personal debt looks healthy despite worst year for jobs

Americans spent more on homes and reduced more in credit card debt than nearly ever before, but California experts say traditional indicators have failed to capture the pandemic's true toll, warning of a much more complicated — and unequal — debt story.

By Laurence Du Sault and Jackie Botts • February 16, 2021

Reader Reactions

Another argument in favor of student debt forgiveness

Student loan forgiveness will give California more teachers and give our struggling children smaller class sizes.

By Guest Commentary • February 10, 2021

Commentary

Students need Pell Grants to double

The Pell Grant program can make college a reality for more students like me, a third year student at UC Berkeley.

By Guest Commentary • January 22, 2021

Education

Biden’s debt forgiveness plan would help millions of California students

Both President-elect Joe Biden and Congressional Democrats want to forgive some amount of federal student loan debt. The question is, how much — $10,000 or $50,000 — and is it even a good idea?

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • January 12, 2021

Elections

My vote wasn’t going to affect the outcome

CalMatters talked to a handful of the 4.3 million Californians who chose to sit out this year’s election to find out why, given 17.8 million set a record by voting in November. Gabe Kim, a college student at Humboldt State, said he doesn't feel ostracized for not voting.

By Freddy Brewster • December 14, 2020

Education

New data sheds light on parent debt burden for college students

The new information gives new insight into intergenerational debt. Experts argue that the federal loans taken out by low-income parents can be a net negative for the family.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • December 10, 2020

WhatMatters

Newsom’s fast-approaching deadline

Good morning, California. It’s Monday, September 28. Controversial bills remain Gov. Gavin Newsom has just three days left to sign or veto some of the most high-profile and controversial bills of the legislative session — including a spate of proposals to police the police, a bill that would establish a state reparations committee, and a […]

By Emily Hoeven • September 28, 2020

Commentary

California is running out of time to protect student loan borrowers

Legislation in the state Senate would make California the first state in the nation to establish basic consumer protections for student loan borrowers.

By Guest Commentary • August 17, 2020