
Despite recent rumors that the Cal Grant Program, which includes funding from the Federal Pell Grant Program, would be cut for the fiscal year of 2011, it appears that award money will continue to flow to City College students, according to the California Student Aid Commission.
In a Sept. 15. statement released last year by Diana Fuentes-Michel, executive director of the California Student Aid Commission, while Cal Grants were spared the axe, the program was reduced from $13 million to $6.7 million.
Although California remains the largest community college system in the nation, the state’s mounting billion-dollar debt has also forced the suspension of new competitive Cal Grants awards because of declining labor, fuel and property tax adjustments.
According to the California Office of Finance, the program will face devastating cuts if not secured by July 15, 2010.
The impact of this decision will affect many students who rely on the cash grants to help with books, supplies, living expenses and transportation.
“I graduate this year with an associate of science degree,” said City College student Chavous McWhorter. “Cal Grants helped me.”
Fuentes-Michel’s statement also indicated that from 2000 to 2009, the number of new and renewing Cal Grant recipients skyrocketed from 179,860 to 301,972, a 68 percent increase.
Cal Grants are the largest source of financial aid in California, according to the California Student Aid Commission. The impact of the increasing fees will make college unaffordable for many students if the program is not fully funded.
“Growing up as a low-income minority with no father, I rely on the financial aid to help me buy books, bus pass and food,” freshman Anthony Mitchell said. “I love the campus atmosphere and am eager to obtain more education, so I can have a career.”
According to a statement released by California Community Colleges Chancellor Jack Scott, “Given the state’s dire fiscal circumstance, the proposal for the California Community Colleges is as favorable as we could have hoped.”
With deadlines looming and checklists to be completed, students are encouraged to apply for 2010-11 assistance immediately, as the application deadline for Cal Grants is March 2.