California Community Colleges Announces Launch of www.icanaffordcollege.com.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office today announced the official launch of www.icanaffordcollege.com. The Web site was developed to directly connect students and potential students with financial aid offices in their area to get one-on-one assistance with the financial aid application process.

"With our enrollment fees being raised, it is really important that students have access to financial aid," said California Community Colleges Chancellor Mark Drummond. "It is also important that students are aware that financial help is available. We have created www.icanaffordcollege.com to serve as our primary information resource for students who need help finding ways to pay for college."

In the fall of 2003, the California Community Colleges' enrollment fee rose by approximately 64 percent. Because of this increase, many were concerned that students from lower-income households would be discouraged from enrolling in community colleges. Therefore, the Legislature and Governor set aside $38 million from within the community college budget to increase awareness about fee waivers and other financial aid opportunities that already exist and to hire additional staff to provide students with free one-on-one help applying for aid. The colleges are spending most of the funds locally; ten percent has been dedicated to a statewide advertising and outreach campaign.

The trial version of www.icanaffordcollege.com was initially introduced to a handful of communities throughout California via a brief radio, television and outdoor advertising campaign. More than 28,000 individuals visited the Web site as of the end of September.

A more extensive phase of advertising and outreach activities will take place throughout California beginning in early November, to coincide with registration for spring 2005.

The campaign objective is to promote public awareness of financial aid availability for community colleges and let people know that free one-on-one assistance is available to help them identify their options and fill out forms. The Web site is a conduit to connect those who need help with a local financial aid office. It also provides basic information and application forms for those who are ready to begin the process.

According to a study released yesterday by the American Council on Education, 67% of community college students nationwide do not file a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). A completed FAFSA is required when applying for a Pell Grant, a Cal Grant and many other types of financial aid.

Some reasons that the California Community Colleges system has found for students not completing and filing the FAFSA include:

--Historically, community college fees were so low that many didn't think they would need financial aid to attend.

--There is a perception among high school counselors and the general public that you can't get financial aid to attend a community college.

--Many people "self disqualify" without filling out the forms, because they don't think they will qualify for aid and they don't know about the many different types of aid available.

--Some people, including many from recent immigrant households, are intimidated by the financial aid application process and aren't aware that they can get free help identifying the types of aid available and filling out the financial aid forms.

Employing print, outdoor, radio, television and Internet advertising -- in both English and Spanish -- California Community Colleges' November advertising campaign will work to improve financial aid awareness. In addition, both the individual community college campuses and the statewide campaign will expand outreach activities to community organizations and other agencies to enlist their help in spreading the word.

New features will also be added to the www.icanaffordcollege.com Web site. The entire site will be available in Spanish. And, as an alternative for people who lack Internet access, the campaign has developed a toll-free helpline, 1-800-987-ICAN (4226), which will connect callers to the community college financial aid office of their choice within a 25-mile radius of their zip code.

"California's community colleges have always been an invaluable resource to the people of the state, helping them better their lives either through vocational training, an associate degree, or preparation for a four-year college or university education," said Drummond. "Historically, we have been there for everybody. Now, the key to maintaining access for those from low-income households is financial aid."

California Community Colleges' financial aid programs already serve more than a half a million students each year, with federal, state and private aid totaling nearly $900 million. The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the world with 109 colleges and 72 districts providing educational, vocational and transfer programs to more than 2.6 million students during academic year 2003-2004.

Note to Editors: Brian Fitzgerald of Crocker/Flanagan (agency of record) is also available to assist the media. He can be reached at 916-552-7971.