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Supporting Financial Aid during COVID-19

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Dear Chair Leyva, Chair McCarty, Chair Medina, Chair Mitchell, Chair Roth, and Chair Ting:

Californians for College Affordability is a diverse coalition of higher education advocacy, civil rights, and social justice, business and workforce, and statewide student leadership organizations that are united in strengthening need-based financial aid in California so that all students can afford to attend and complete college, allowing the state’s workforce to remain competitive. Since 2012, Californians for College Affordability has advocated for increased state investments that ensure state financial aid enables students to attend full-time and complete a meaningful credential, and protects those with the least resources from shouldering the biggest burden of college costs and debt. During the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic, we urge California policymakers to take targeted steps to ensure that the crisis does not undermine students’ eligibility for available financial aid.

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At EdTrust-West, we believe a different California is possible:

a California that ensures that Black, Latinx, Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native American students’ futures are as bright as their dreams are big. We believe that our state’s schools, colleges, and universities can form the bedrock of a more just California.

Committed to advancing policies and practices to dismantle the racial and economic barriers embedded in California’s education system.

California Offices: Oakland, Los Angeles, Sacramento

National Office: EdTrust

State Offices: EdTrust-New York, EdTrust-Tennessee, EdTrust-Midwest

Tel: 510.465.6444

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Karla Fernandez

Communications Manager

Karla Fernandez (she/her/hers) joins Ed Trust–West as a Communications Manager with over 11 years of experience advancing social impact initiatives.

Karla started her career as a teacher at Chicago Public Schools and UIC College Prep. After teaching, Karla joined United Friends of the Children to support LA County’s youth in foster care as a college counselor. Through Leadership for Educational Equity, Karla also served as a Policy Advisor Fellow for the office of a Los Angeles Unified School Board Member. She solidified her interests in policy analysis and quantitative research during her time with the Price Center for Social Innovation, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, and the USC Presidential Working Group on Sustainability. Before joining The Education Trust–West, Karla was the Associate Director for the Southeast Los Angeles (SELA) Collaborative, a network of nonprofits advocating for communities in SELA.

Karla holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology from the University of Chicago, a Master of Public Policy from the USC Price School of Public Policy, and a Graduate Certificate in Policy Advocacy from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Karla is based out of southern California and is passionate about using data analysis, communications, and digital strategies for policy advocacy and social justice efforts.