Governor Newsom Aims to Alleviate College Debt With New Service Program

On January 18, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the state of California will launch a college public service program in Fall 2022. This program promises to increase financial aid for thousands of students from 45 different colleges and universities, including select community colleges, California State University and University of California campuses, as well as private universities. UC San Diego is among the 45 different colleges that have been selected to become part of the program.

Although a budget of $159 million has been set aside specifically for the new program, only around 42% of the money is actually being given as aid to students who are in need. The rest of the budget will go towards program costs.

Students will also be receiving the money on two different counts. Students are required to complete 450 hours of community service, and will be given $7,000 as a stipend while completing their hours. Once students complete their community service, they will be given another $3,000, but only if they complete the full 450 hours. The $7,000 that students receive while completing their service hours results in an hourly compensation that is about the same as minimum wage salary.

According to the press release, the new college service program, #CaliforniansForAll College Corps, aims to provide 6,500 low-income students with community service opportunities so they can have the chance to receive $10,000 to help pay college costs.

Students will have the opportunity to help serve their community in areas that are desperately in need of it, specifically areas such as climate action, K-12 education, and COVID-19 recovery. UCSD specifically is planning to focus on working with local K-12 schools and other educational institutions.

Manu Agni, the 2021-22 president of Associated Students of UCSD (ASUCSD), stated that “[Associated Students] haven’t developed any potential plans yet…but we are working with Student Affairs and campus leadership to develop what the service opportunities might be.”

In addition to aiding underserved communities within California, the college service program hopes to provide students with resources necessary to graduate with less debt.

Over the past decades, cost of attendance across UC campuses has increased tremendously. The Daily Californian reported that between 1995-96, in-state annual UC tuition was around $4,300 and out-of-state tuition was around $12,000. In 2020-21, that number more than doubled; cost of in-state annual tuition now is around $15,000, while out-of-state tuition is around $45,000, excluding housing and meals.

According to data released by the U.S. Department of Education, UCSD students who borrow loans have a median total debt amount of $16,500. On average, millions of California residents owe a collective total of around $147 billion dollars in student debt. Governor Newsom’s new program aims to help students reduce their debt.

“I think [this program] will enhance our service to the community…and I think this is a great opportunity to combine community service with also being able to get paid…” Agni stated.

As reported by UCSD’s Changemaker Institute, to be eligible for consideration, students must be full-time enrolled undergraduate students. Although there is no minimum GPA requirement, students must be in good academic standing and able to commit to the program for the whole academic year.

Applications are being accepted until June 15, but students are recommended to apply by May 15 for best consideration. Further details and information can be found here.

Lara Donabedian is a Staff Writer for The Triton.