Aid is available for students who need it
Time may be running out for students seeking financial assistance to pay for college.
With Gov. Jerry Brown's signing of Senate Bill 70 - a bill that increases community college fees from $26 to $36 per unit - community college officials say students looking to soften the blow of the hike should take advantage of any resources available to help pay for their education.
The fee increase is effective beginning this fall at all 112 community colleges in the state.
With Gov. Jerry Brown's signing of Senate Bill 70 - a bill that increases community college fees from $26 to $36 per unit - community college officials say students looking to soften the blow of the hike should take advantage of any resources available to help pay for their education.
The fee increase is effective beginning this fall at all 112 community colleges in the state.
"Students should be applying for financial aid sooner than later," said Susan Jones, Mt. San Antonio College's director of financial aid. "Especially if their need is going to go beyond fees and if they need financial support with books and supplies."
While California's community colleges still have the lowest fees in the nation, officials say they know the increase comes at a very difficult time for some students.
Under the current $26-per-credit unit fee, full-time students enrolled in 15 units pay about $780 per academic year, officials said.
With the fee increase to $36-per-credit unit, full-time students will pay roughly $1,080 per academic year, officials said.
Last week, Chaffey College officials posted a number of programs on their Facebook site designed to help students with limited resources meet their educational expenses.
"The later you apply for the aid the less chance you can get the money," said Patricia Bopko, Chaffey's director of financial aid.
"You also want to file the application early so that fee waiver can be in place if you plan on taking summer classes."
Some of the suggestions Chaffey officials had are programs such as Free Application for Federal Student Aid, Board of Governors Fee Waiver, Extended Opportunity Program and Services, and veterans benefits.
"Even if a student doesn't think they qualify for aid they should still apply," Bopko said. "There is no loss to them."
Officials at San Bernardino Valley College said more than 12,000 students have already applied for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for the next school year.
For students who do not qualify for the FAFSA, direct loans and private student loans are out there, said Joseph Nguyen, director of financial aid for San Bernardino Valley College.
"With the current economy the way it is, the fee increase will impact some students, but it is important they know there is help available," he said. Where to look
Below is a list of some financial aid assistance resources:
Free Application for Federal Student Aid - www.fafsa.ed.gov
Board of Governors Fee Waiver - www.cccapply.org/BOG_Waiver
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - www.gibill.va.gov
California Student Aid and Commission or CalGrants - www.calgrants.org
Fee increases
Below is a list of fiscal-year fees per unit for California Community Colleges (prior to 1984, there were no fees)
$5 - 1984-85
$6 - 1991-92
$10 - 1993-94
$13 - 1994-95
$12 - 1998-99
$11 - 1999-00
$18 - 2003-04
$26 - 2004-05
$20 - 2006-07
$26 - 2009-10
$36* - 2011-12
*proposed in Gov. Jerry Brown's budget
Source: California Community Colleges
While California's community colleges still have the lowest fees in the nation, officials say they know the increase comes at a very difficult time for some students.
Under the current $26-per-credit unit fee, full-time students enrolled in 15 units pay about $780 per academic year, officials said.
With the fee increase to $36-per-credit unit, full-time students will pay roughly $1,080 per academic year, officials said.
Last week, Chaffey College officials posted a number of programs on their Facebook site designed to help students with limited resources meet their educational expenses.
"The later you apply for the aid the less chance you can get the money," said Patricia Bopko, Chaffey's director of financial aid.
"You also want to file the application early so that fee waiver can be in place if you plan on taking summer classes."
Some of the suggestions Chaffey officials had are programs such as Free Application for Federal Student Aid, Board of Governors Fee Waiver, Extended Opportunity Program and Services, and veterans benefits.
"Even if a student doesn't think they qualify for aid they should still apply," Bopko said. "There is no loss to them."
Officials at San Bernardino Valley College said more than 12,000 students have already applied for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for the next school year.
For students who do not qualify for the FAFSA, direct loans and private student loans are out there, said Joseph Nguyen, director of financial aid for San Bernardino Valley College.
"With the current economy the way it is, the fee increase will impact some students, but it is important they know there is help available," he said. Where to look
Below is a list of some financial aid assistance resources:
Free Application for Federal Student Aid - www.fafsa.ed.gov
Board of Governors Fee Waiver - www.cccapply.org/BOG_Waiver
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - www.gibill.va.gov
California Student Aid and Commission or CalGrants - www.calgrants.org
Fee increases
Below is a list of fiscal-year fees per unit for California Community Colleges (prior to 1984, there were no fees)
$5 - 1984-85
$6 - 1991-92
$10 - 1993-94
$13 - 1994-95
$12 - 1998-99
$11 - 1999-00
$18 - 2003-04
$26 - 2004-05
$20 - 2006-07
$26 - 2009-10
$36* - 2011-12
*proposed in Gov. Jerry Brown's budget
Source: California Community Colleges
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