California

"Stanford University has just taken a huge step toward helping students whose parents make less than $125,000 a year get a college education without accruing inordinate amounts of debt."

"Even if Gibson had Section 8, he might have a hard time finding a spot. For seniors who can afford rents of $3,000 a month, there's plenty of housing available, according to Pamela Hall, an advocate at Oakland's Housing Assistance Center. Those willing to move to Tracy or Modesto can find a place in senior housing for as little as $1,700. The story for affordable housing is very different. 'There's no [affordable] senior housing,' Hall said. 'The waitlists are long. They're running from three to five years.'"

"The state's new education funding formula provides extra money for all low-income children, students learning English and foster youth, and contributes more dollars if they make up the bulk of students in a district. But if these 'high-need' kids happen to be concentrated in a few schools within wealthier districts, they get less funding than they would receive in a poor district, a recent study revealed. The report also cautioned that districts' accountability plans lacked the information to determine if the students were receiving the help they needed."

"There is strong evidence that poverty is the major problem in American education: When researchers control for poverty, our performance on international tests is at the top of the world. Poverty means poor diet, inadequate healthcare and lack of access to books."

"More than 40 years ago, California set a goal of providing access to higher education for low and middle-income students. That goal became a reality with the passage of funding for Cal Grants, cash awards for college aid, and the application window is open through March 2."

"Wealthy individuals and corporations have an opportunity to do good this year while they do well, thanks to a new and little-known tax break. Two laws by Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Len provide College Access Tax Credits for contributions to the popular Cal Grants program that helps low-income students. These new tax credits are reserved for contributions to so-called Cal Grant B awards that help pay for books, housing and transportation while students attend community colleges or four-year schools. Contributors in turn can use the credits to reduce their state and federal income tax bills."