Budget woes continue

Cuts to financial aid, increase in tuition feared

Katya Quezada | Staff Writer
quezadk@imail.losrios.edu

City College students have felt the impact of the ongoing economic crisis since the beginning of the spring semester. Classes were filled to capacity, instructors would only accept limited number of wait-listed students and students complained about their financial aid.

With the 2009-2010 fiscal year approaching, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget cuts may mean college students see less financial aid.

Though the governor’s proposals for the 2009-10 fiscal year have not been approved, many school officials are anticipating the worst to come if budget cuts continue. According to the California Faculty Association, there is a proposed $87.5 million cut to the Cal Grant program alone. Some professers and administrators are advising students to register for classes early and to make sure they apply for financial aid as soon as possible.

Reduction of student aid seems to be the main worry of students around the campus.

“The thought of having so many reductions on financial aid makes me shudder,” City College student Alena Robinson said. “How are we supposed to pay for college?”

The CFA Web site also claims that under the proposal, California State universities would also have to increase their tuition fees by 10 percent, which would be the eighth fee hike in as many years.

“I worry about how I’m going to pay for my fees when I transfer,” linguistic major Emma Aguilar said.

Despite mounting anxiety over the 2009-10 budget, The Community College League of California reports that the governor’s budget proposal would fund 36,000 new full-time students in California’s community colleges.