Huntington Beach, Calif. — Golden West College saw impressive results after awarding 326 basic needs small grants totaling $264,211 to students this past spring semester. The students who received grants (an average of $810 per student) had an 83% course success rate compared to 72% for the general population of students during the same time period. Students in younger age groups saw an even higher impact: those in the 18–19-year-old age range achieved 83% success versus 67% for a comparison group, and those in the 20–24-year-old age range succeeded at an 84% rate versus 67% for a comparison group.
Spring 2024 grade point averages also were higher across the board for students who received a basic needs grant, at 2.97 overall compared to 2.49 in the comparison group.
“These results make it clear that even small amounts of funding help students stay in school and complete classes,” says GWC President Meridith Randall. “Past case studies have shown that the use of ‘micro grants’ as small as $300 allow students to remain in school and complete their programs. Golden West College intends to continue providing grants to students through both state and private funding.”
Earlier this year, California passed legislation that allows more college funding to be used for basic needs grants to students. GWC used the opportunity to advertise grants to students for rent, childcare or other needs. Students were allowed to apply for up to $2000 for the spring semester if they completed a FAFSA and enrolled in at least 6 units.
Sixty percent of grant recipients were women and almost 40% were Hispanic/Latinx. The majority of grant recipients were between the ages of 18 and 29.
The impact of the grants had an overall positive effect across several demographics at GWC, with the data showing:
Golden West College enrolls 18,000 students a year, most of them with some amount of financial need. In addition to paying for tuition, many have families, children and others to support; more than 70% of GWC students work while attending school to pay for rent, food and other basic needs. The College has long provided basic needs support via an on-campus food pantry, bus passes, scholarships and more, much of which is funded by its Foundation or state grants.
