Low-income students largely spared tuition hikes

An independent think tank says financial aid and scholarships have largely spared students from low and some middle-income families from shouldering the cost of recent tuition increases at the University of California and California State University.

The Public Policy Institute of California said in a report issued Wednesday that even though in-state tuition increased an average of 64 percent at UC campuses during the height of the recession, most families with annual incomes under $110,000 that applied for federal financial aid did not end up paying more.

The same was true at Cal State schools for families making up to $75,000.

The institute is highlighting its findings at a time when UC leaders are thinking about raising tuition again next year and Cal State officials are asking the state for a budget increase to offset the need for another increase.