University of California - 2015 Demand for Enrollment

A total of 193,873 students applied for freshman admission to the University of California for fall 2015, an overall increase of 5.8 percent over fall 2014 and the 11th consecutive year in which UC reported an increase in applications. This is indicative of the high level of demand and interest in securing a UC education. On the supply side, many studies have pointed out that the state needs a million additional degrees and certificates by 2025 in order to address the State's future workforce requirements. Clearly increasing enrollment must be a priority for the state and for UC.

In an open letter to UC Alumni dated July 2009, University of California President Mark G. Yudof and several other UC Board of Regents members, write:

"In the past 20 years, the amount of money allotted to the University through the (California) state budget has fallen dramatically: General Fund support for a UC student stood at $15,860 in 1990. If current budget projections hold, it will drop this year to $7,680.

Moreover, it now appears likely the UC system, in this current fiscal crisis, will be ordered by Sacramento to absorb yet another $800-plus million in additional cuts. Its 2009-10 core budget will be reduced by an estimated 20 percent. This will bring the amount of state investment in the University down to $2.4 billion – exactly where it was in real dollars a decade ago." ( . . . read more here)

Now more than ever we need to support new and more funding for all levels of education in California. One way individuals, organizations, and whole communities can help is to give money to scholarship funds. Helping young people get a good education is a great way to help make the world a better place now and for future generations.