California is taking the lead in helping students get to college and stay there through multiple creative approaches. nbcnews.to/2Yo56Ko (1/6)
While San Jose State Univ. student Jaelyn Deas was juggling a major in international business, a minor in Japanese and a job to help keep up with her expenses, she fell behind in class, causing her not to graduate in 4 years and worried how she would pay for her tuition. (2/6) 
Fewer than 20% of Deas’ classmates who entered San Jose State in 2014 finished in 4 years — less than half the national average. Deas considered quitting or transferring to a community college until she was summoned to the financial aid office. nbcnews.to/2Yo56Ko (3/6)
Deas learned that the university was giving her a grant of up to $1,500 to help her get across the finish line. "I walked out of the office crying. I had no idea something like this existed." It’s one example of how California is taking on higher education problems. (4/6)
Students are also getting help outside the classroom. At UC Berkeley’s Basic Needs Center, students having trouble affording food and rent come here to do their grocery shopping, sign up for public benefits or meet with counselors. (5/6)
In funding these programs, California is bucking a national trend as most other states continue to reduce, not increase, their investment in higher education. California is 1 of 4 states spending more on higher education, per student, than they did in 2008. (6/6) #NBCNewsThreads
