The public college students who rallied this week to protest proposed increases in student fees missed the point. Gov. Schwarzenegger's proposal to reduce financial aid is more troubling than his plan to increase fees.

In difficult economic times, fee increases might be necessary to assure stable, high quality public college education. In fact, it's hard to argue against some increase because California's fees are among the lowest in the nation. But to assure continued access to qualified students, the state must make a commitment to increased financial aid.

Let's increase fees for graduate students to be more consistent with other graduate institutions across the country. Let's bring fees for professional schools such as law, medical and business in line with the general market. Let's even raise undergraduate fees at the University of California, California State University and California community colleges.

Middle- and upper-income families enjoy a huge subsidy under the current fee structure. They can afford to pay a little more toward their college or university educations.

But let's not reduce the amount of money earmarked for financial aid for those who cannot pay more -- and who will be shut out of college if financial aid is reduced.

Unfortunately, that's precisely what Schwarzenegger proposes. The governor wants to reduce from 33 percent to 20 percent the amount of new student fees set aside for financial aid. He also proposes to significantly reduce Cal Grant funds for students attending nonpublic institutions -- putting more enrollment pressure on public colleges. That's a double whammy on California's neediest young people.

Historically, California has guaranteed college access to all qualified students. It can raise fees appropriately and still meet this promise through financial aid. The students benefit and so does the state, through better trained and more productive workers who contribute more to the state's economy.