As high school students navigate the college application process and plan for their futures, they face a new complication — the likelihood of upcoming budget cuts to California’s public university systems, which could reduce programs and make college less affordable.
On March 19, the University of California (UC) announced a statewide hiring freeze in response to threats from the Trump administration to halt federally funded medical and science research programs at universities. Other universities around the country have taken similar action, imposing hiring freezes in the face of uncertainty about funding cuts. Both UC and California State University (CSU) are also facing a proposed 8 percent reduction in state funding, which would significantly impact staffing and student services. While a lot is still up in the air regarding potential cuts, concerns are growing about how they could affect California colleges. Decreasing student resources are complicating the path to higher education for both college and high school students. Counselor Tami Wall shared her thoughts and concerns about the potential impact the cuts could have on students heading into college.
“I think [the cuts] are definitely going to make colleges more selective and competitive. In terms of hiring freezes, that means they will not be able to have as much enrollment or accommodate as many majors, and it’s going to force students to go either to community colleges first or possibly go to other states for their bachelor’s degrees,” Wall said.
These changes would not only impact students’ college applications, but cuts to financial aid programs could have consequences to those unable to fully afford full tuition. “For students that have families who are first generation or lower socioeconomic status, it’s going to be a lot harder to get their foot in the door with scholarships and financial aid. Especially if the admissions become more competitive, the financial aid options might not be available like they once were, Wall said.
As students focus on preparing for college, many may not be aware that these budget cuts could lead to larger class sizes and fewer available courses. High school junior Marisol Tramontozzi shared her concerns about the impact these cuts may have on students applying for and entering college.
“I have talked to friends about these college issues, and many of them were not aware at all. I doubt that many other juniors and seniors are talking about [the issues] as well. With that being said, it is important that this is brought to the incoming [college] freshmen’s attention because it directly affects them even though it may seem to them as a far-fetched problem,” Tramontozzi said.
For high school students preparing to apply to college, navigating these changes and considering alternative routes may become increasingly important. College and Career Counselor Becky Bjursten offered advice regarding the uncertainty in California’s college system.
“I hope that [the cuts] can encourage people to understand that this is an opportunity to think about alternative college options that offer a lower cost, not a lower quality. It just is a lower burden. I’m hoping this becomes a bigger part of the conversation,” Bjursten said.
