According to The National Center for Education, 66% of all undergraduates received some type of financial aid during the 2007-2008 academic year. The average amount was $9,100 per student.

In an effort to help degree seekers afford college tuition, institutions such as Kaplan University are launching new scholarship programs. According to a press release, the school will award $2.5 million over the course of three years, through two new financial aid initiatives.

The Experiential Learning Scholarship provides students who are enrolled in the university's portfolio development course with $1,500. Participants have the opportunity to develop a portfolio of college-level work that they may use to petition for Kaplan University credits.

The California Commitment Scholarship will award students who are based in the state with up to $5,000 in scholarships toward an online degree program at the school.

"Kaplan University is employing a number of innovative solutions to help California students affected by the budget crisis," said Gregory Marino, president of the Kaplan University Group. "Our new scholarship programs are designed to provide greater access to higher education and to help California students fulfill their academic goals."