The Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education voted on Oct. 26 to approve a resolution that would help achieve the district’s goal of having all graduating students complete a post-graduation plan and college financial aid application to set them up for success after high school.

The resolution, drafted by Board Vice President Nick Melvoin, will increase resources and collaboration to implement a new state requirement for 100% of students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Assistance or, if a student is undocumented, the California Dream Act Application.

The resolution will help L.A. Unified families, approximately 80% of whom are living in poverty, overcome the financial burden of college, a primary barrier to entry in higher education.

“Our goal is for every student not only to leave high school with a diploma, but also with a clear plan and path to success once they step into that next phase,” Melvoin said. “We want to ensure that every door is open to our students so that they can choose which one to walk through.”

The resolution also aims to increase individual post-graduation planning resources and development so that L.A. Unified graduates leave high school prepared to enter the college or career of their choice. This includes a new planning component that starts in 8th grade to get students thinking about, and preparing for, college and career success before they reach high school.

“A good education should not be a privilege, but an opportunity afforded to all,” said Interim Superintendent Megan K. Reilly. “As we work together as a community to recover from the inequities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital that we increase access to college for all of our high school graduates. Los Angeles Unified stands ready to support this board resolution to help students get into college and receive financial aid.”