If Jerry Brown's California record on higher education indicates what he would do nationally, students could expect a strong voice on issues such as tuition and financial aid.

Higher education benefited during Brown's tenure as California governor. State universities and community colleges received nearly double the amount of funding and almost triple funding for equal opportunity programs.

Brown is also quick to point out his commitment to education because of his previous work as a trustee for the Los Angeles Community College District.

During his administration, Brown opposed charging tuition at state universities and attempted to minimize tuition hikes while increasing student aid by more than $50 million.

Brown favors a return to more scholarship programs and aid through work-study programs and hopes to place less emphasis on loan programs that only further push students into debt after graduation.

"I know from my own experience that it (the loans) has really gotten out of hand," said Peter Bohn, Centre Region coordinator for the Brown campaign. "He feels scholarship should be rewarded, regardless of financial status."

Brown's influence in higher education also extends to science and technology.

He developed technology centers for space and research, including special programs called "centers of excellence," such as the California Space Institute, the Microelectronics Research Facility and the Institute for Global Security and Cooperation, among others.

But he did not stop there, also calling for higher standards in math and science while governor, which led to the California state and university systems to increase levels for entrance requirements in math.

"As a nation we ought to make the commitment that anyone who can make the grade and fulfill the academic requirements ought to get the financial assistance to attend," Brown said in a news release.