Funding for Cal Grants

I applaud The Times’ recommendation of full funding for state tuition grants known as Cal Grants (“How to Help Public Colleges by Helping Our Private Ones,” editorial, Feb. 17).

Although the Cal Grant was created to equalize the cost of private and public colleges, the maximum grant covers only 37% of tuition at Whittier College. It covered 46% five years ago. Whittier College has suffered substantially because of the reduced purchasing power of the Cal Grant. About 60% of our students (including a high percentage of academically successful minority and first-generation college students) receive need-based financial aid. But with more support from Gov. Pete Wilson to fund fully the Cal Grant program, Whittier and other private colleges could stretch taxpayer dollars and help ease the demand on California’s public institutions of higher education.

JAMES L. ASH JR.

President, Whittier College