Colleges plug funds gap
Local colleges and universities are distributing funds to students to cover a delay in financial aid and grant funds withheld because of the state budget impasse.
The University of La Verne, Cal Poly Pomona, and Pomona and Pitzer colleges are advancing money needed by new and returning students.
La Verne, a private university, has distributed the funds necessary to 700 students.
"Here at La Verne, we have always been a university that puts the students first. The decision to support these students as they further their education upholds our institutional mission and affirms our core values," university President Steve Morgan said on Tuesday.
The University of La Verne, Cal Poly Pomona, and Pomona and Pitzer colleges are advancing money needed by new and returning students.
La Verne, a private university, has distributed the funds necessary to 700 students.
"Here at La Verne, we have always been a university that puts the students first. The decision to support these students as they further their education upholds our institutional mission and affirms our core values," university President Steve Morgan said on Tuesday.
"We do not feel these deserving students should have their education interrupted for reasons beyond their control."
Because the state has yet to approve a final budget months into the 2010-11 fiscal year, college students throughout the state have not received the Cal Grant payments they have been awarded by the California Student Aid Commission. It is up to each institution - private and public - to decide how to deal with the tardy payments.
The funds are needed by those students to help cover the cost of their fall-term classes.
Cal Poly officials said about 4,000 students who should receive Cal Grants will receive a like amount through an internal university transaction.
"This is a bookkeeping matter and will be seamless for the students, who will not notice any change in their financial aid package or be affected in any way," said Tim Lynch, Cal Poly spokesman.
"Once the Cal Grant money arrives from the state, that account from which the money came will be reimbursed."
Claremont-based Pomona and Pitzer officials said they've been providing the same service to their students.
Pomona College has advanced $781,000 in Cal Grant funds this year to its students, said spokeswoman Cynthia Peters.
"Pomona College meets the full financial need of every admitted student, with scholarships. Loans are not included in financial aid packages. And we have a need-blind admissions process," Peters said.
Pitzer has advanced about $500,000 in Cal Grants to 101 students, said Anna Chang, the college's spokeswoman.
Cal Grants do not affect Claremont Graduate University, however, because the grant are only for undergraduate students.
Cal Grant funds assist undergraduate students selected to receive Cal Grant A and B awards. Cal Grant A awards provide up to $9,708 for tuition and fees to eligible students attending colleges in California.
Cal Grant B awards provide a living allowance and assistance with tuition and fees up to $1,551 to first-year, low-income students. For returning Cal Grant B recipients, the award also helps with tuition and fees in the same amount as a Cal Grant A award.
More information on the Cal Grant program is available on the California Student Aid Commission website at www.csac.ca.gov/.
Morgan said that he and other La Verne administrators believe the state budget situation will eventually be resolved. The university will be reimbursed when California Student Aid Commission officials are allowed to release this year's Cal Grant payments.
Because the state has yet to approve a final budget months into the 2010-11 fiscal year, college students throughout the state have not received the Cal Grant payments they have been awarded by the California Student Aid Commission. It is up to each institution - private and public - to decide how to deal with the tardy payments.
The funds are needed by those students to help cover the cost of their fall-term classes.
Cal Poly officials said about 4,000 students who should receive Cal Grants will receive a like amount through an internal university transaction.
"This is a bookkeeping matter and will be seamless for the students, who will not notice any change in their financial aid package or be affected in any way," said Tim Lynch, Cal Poly spokesman.
"Once the Cal Grant money arrives from the state, that account from which the money came will be reimbursed."
Claremont-based Pomona and Pitzer officials said they've been providing the same service to their students.
Pomona College has advanced $781,000 in Cal Grant funds this year to its students, said spokeswoman Cynthia Peters.
"Pomona College meets the full financial need of every admitted student, with scholarships. Loans are not included in financial aid packages. And we have a need-blind admissions process," Peters said.
Pitzer has advanced about $500,000 in Cal Grants to 101 students, said Anna Chang, the college's spokeswoman.
Cal Grants do not affect Claremont Graduate University, however, because the grant are only for undergraduate students.
Cal Grant funds assist undergraduate students selected to receive Cal Grant A and B awards. Cal Grant A awards provide up to $9,708 for tuition and fees to eligible students attending colleges in California.
Cal Grant B awards provide a living allowance and assistance with tuition and fees up to $1,551 to first-year, low-income students. For returning Cal Grant B recipients, the award also helps with tuition and fees in the same amount as a Cal Grant A award.
More information on the Cal Grant program is available on the California Student Aid Commission website at www.csac.ca.gov/.
Morgan said that he and other La Verne administrators believe the state budget situation will eventually be resolved. The university will be reimbursed when California Student Aid Commission officials are allowed to release this year's Cal Grant payments.
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