On the Feb. 23 episode of SoCal Update, the number of California high school seniors applying for college financial aid is down 10% compared to this time last year. KPCC College Pathways Reporter Jill Replogle has been looking into how the pandemic has affected 12th graders’ transition to college.

Financial aid applications are an important measure of students’ intentions to enroll in college. The number of college applications and financial aid applications submitted has fallen significantly during COVID-19. The drop is particularly high among low-income students and students of color, many of whom are in survival mode taking jobs to help their families or who are out of reach from college counselors who could have helped them navigate the complicated process in person.

Featured:
Jill Replogle @jillrep
Libby Denkmann @libdenk