An increased budget for the Financial Aid Department means students can expect stronger assistance in the fall.
The ongoing budget crisis that elevated the cost of tuition at all California community colleges compelled the state to increase the financial aid budget by $30 million making it possible for the program to assist students with the new costs. The money is to be dispersed to all 108 colleges across the state.
Last year’s financial aid budget for City College was $72, 015, nearly quadrupling this year to $375,268.
“The legislature realized that with this fee increase, more students would need financial assistance,” said Brad Hardison, financial aid director. “The department is not funded adequately for more students, so this money will help improve the service in the office.”
Hardison said the state did not want students to be at a disadvantage due to the fee increase.
This increased budget is designated to funding more staff, and outreach campaigns that create financial aid awareness.
Hardison said there are several students who are unaware of financial aid possibilities, and this will improve student services.
“Many students need one on one assistance from our staff, so it is important to make that available to them,” said Hardison. “With an increased number of students who need financial aid, we need more staff to process the applications.”
The fiscal year 2002-2003, Financial Aid funded $7.2 million to students in scholarships, grants, and loans according to Leslie Griffin, accounting controller.
The good new about financial aid was the only positive announcement at a Tuesday meeting called by President John Romo to preview the local impact of a statewide budget deficit of up to $40 billion.
About 150 people filled Physical Science Building-Room 101 to hear Romo and the new vice president of Business Services, Joe Sullivan. Romo told the group he did not expect to impose mid-year program cuts because he is still using a portion of the college’s reserves to meet ongoing expenses.
“The trimming has ended,” Romo said, detailing how technology and other support programs have already taken a big hit. So far, the college has cut expenses by some $4.7 million since Fall 2002 – out of a total $58.1 million annual budget. This year, spending will exceed income by some $3.7 million.
Sullivan warned that the college could not continue spending down its reserves.