This report presents data on the amount and types of financial assistance available to help students pay the costs of attending postsecondary institutions in California between 1990-91 and 1995-96, with some trend data going back to 1977-78. Sixteen charts and 12 tables update data on undergraduate student fees for California public colleges and universities; public institution fees as a share of household income; student aid by source; statewide trends in aid; aid to students at public and independent nonprofit institutions; the number of Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) and Ford Direct Student Loan Program (FDSLP) loans; the average size of Stafford loans; Cal Grant distribution; Pell Grant distribution; institution-based aid; and state funding of University of California and California State University Aid. The report concludes that policymakers need to get the price of higher education under control, increase need-based financial aid, sharpen priorities for investment in student aid, and undertake a thorough review and reappraisal of the student-aid delivery system. (MDM)