Seeking to help keep the University of California accessible and affordable for California students, UC President Mark G. Yudof announced Project You Can, an ambitious fundraising effort that aims to raise $1 billion for student support over the next four years.

“Our message is simple,” Yudof told an assembly of students at Sunnyside High School in east Fresno, where he announced the new fundraising efforts. “If you can earn the grades, you can get into the University of California. And if your family needs help, you can get financial aid.”

Through Project You Can, all 10 UC campuses have committed to raise $1 billion in the aggregate over the next four years — doubling the amount of private support the system has raised for scholarships, fellowships and other gift aid in the previous five years. The Board of Regents will be asked to endorse the effort at its November meeting.

“This new UC systemwide initiative is an important step in supporting the efforts of all the UC campuses to raise more funds for student assistance,” said Chancellor Henry T. Yang. “With the challenges that California is facing, we are determined to do all we can to ensure that all qualified students who are accepted by UCSB and choose to enroll here are not kept from doing so by financial limitations. We will work closely with the trustees of the UCSB Foundation, as well as with our campus community, to help achieve the goals of Project You Can.”

Also at the November meeting, Yudof will ask the Board to expand UC’s Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan to include California families with incomes below $70,000. The plan, approved by the Regents in February, currently covers all systemwide fees for resident undergraduates with financial need whose family incomes are $60,000 or below.