WHAT:

A new CSAC COVID-19 survey provides invaluable data and insight directly from 76,000 students about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis during the Spring of 2020 and their views on issues related to college attendance in Summer and Fall of 2020. Findings will be presented during a Zoom media conference, followed by a Q&A session.

The survey was emailed to a sample of students statewide who submitted financial aid applications to CSAC for intended college enrollment in the 2020-21 academic year. The sample size of 76,000 consisting of current and incoming freshman college students makes this COVID-19 survey the largest in the nation to gauge the impact of the pandemic on our college population and help guide response moving forward.

The survey found that students have great concern about what the future holds, were uncertain about where they will attend and how they will afford college. Striking findings include:

·  Over 70% of current students lost some or all of their sources of income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

·  A quarter of students dropped courses in their Spring 2020 college term.

·  Almost half of all students had their living arrangements change.

The survey results, as well as some poignant student comments, will be presented by CSAC and its research project partners from the California Education Lab at UC Davis during a Zoom media webinar.

WHO:

Marlene Garcia, CSAC Executive Director

Patrick Perry, CSAC VP of Research

Michal Kurlaender, UC Davis California Education Lab

Sherrie Reed, UC Davis California Education Lab

Student Survey Participants

WHEN:

Tuesday, July 7, 2020

10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

WHERE:

The news media Zoom event will consist of a presentation of findings and observations by CSAC and UCD researchers, followed by brief comments from students sharing their COVID-19 experiences and the impact on their college-going lives. Participants will take questions from the media during the Q&A portion. Please download the Zoom app before Monday's press conference.

Please register here: https://bit.ly/2BPd0Fq

CONTACT:

Michael Lemus, CSAC Communications Manager

(916) 206-1285, [email protected]

MORE:

The administration of this survey aligns with CSAC's mission and desire to better serve both current and future Cal Grant recipients, specifically during this crisis. These initial findings provide important data points that can be used to estimate future demand trends of financial aid. They also help inform us on how we can improve and expand upon Cal Grant funding and eligibility. CSAC remains dedicated to providing students with the financial aid they need to ensure uninterrupted enrollment in higher education.