Spring Break
Students suffer financial aid crises
African American students adversely impacted, speak out, protest
Reginald James
Issue date: 12/8/08 Section: News
With record enrollment numbers at community colleges statewide, many campuses are having difficulty retaining students due to financial aid issues, exasperated by the collapsing U.S. economy.
The record breaking budget stalemate earlier this semester caused the delay in the disbursement of Cal Grants. The underfunded program-which has led to only a third of eligible students receiving funding, according to the Institute for College Access & Success-provides grants to low-to-moderate income students in need, and based on merit.
With the majority of African American students in California attending community colleges, the delays hurt harder as many working students are depending on financial aid to help with other expenses.
"Students are dropping out," said Grossmont Black Student Union (BSU) President Tonja Daniels. "I applied on time, but they [the financial aid office] is playing."
Black Caucus President Marlene C. Hurd sees similar issues across the state.
"Without access to financial aid, students can't succeed," said Hurd, who suspects there are disparities throughout the state, including the district where she once served as Student Trustee.
The Peralta Colleges have been in a "unacceptable crisis" that is causing students to give up by the hundreds, according to Laney student Tiana Drisker.
"Who ever is responsible must be held accountable," said Drisker at a Peralta Board of Trustees meeting. This was the thrid consecutive meeting at which studentsp-primarily African American-have spoken out.
A glitch is Peralta's new financial aid software caused thousands of students checks to be delayed. They have been processed manually for the past two months, with students finally receiving payments towards the end of the semester.
Many others are finding out they won't receive checks as their information must be "verified" by financial aid staff.
Led by the Merritt College BSU, over a hundred students walked out in protest in September.
Peralta does not know how many students have been forced out due to delays.
Are you a student having financial aid issues on campus? Tell us your story. Email the Black Caucus at cccblackcaucus@gmail.com or email harambeenews@gmail.com.
The record breaking budget stalemate earlier this semester caused the delay in the disbursement of Cal Grants. The underfunded program-which has led to only a third of eligible students receiving funding, according to the Institute for College Access & Success-provides grants to low-to-moderate income students in need, and based on merit.
With the majority of African American students in California attending community colleges, the delays hurt harder as many working students are depending on financial aid to help with other expenses.
"Students are dropping out," said Grossmont Black Student Union (BSU) President Tonja Daniels. "I applied on time, but they [the financial aid office] is playing."
Black Caucus President Marlene C. Hurd sees similar issues across the state.
"Without access to financial aid, students can't succeed," said Hurd, who suspects there are disparities throughout the state, including the district where she once served as Student Trustee.
The Peralta Colleges have been in a "unacceptable crisis" that is causing students to give up by the hundreds, according to Laney student Tiana Drisker.
"Who ever is responsible must be held accountable," said Drisker at a Peralta Board of Trustees meeting. This was the thrid consecutive meeting at which studentsp-primarily African American-have spoken out.
A glitch is Peralta's new financial aid software caused thousands of students checks to be delayed. They have been processed manually for the past two months, with students finally receiving payments towards the end of the semester.
Many others are finding out they won't receive checks as their information must be "verified" by financial aid staff.
Led by the Merritt College BSU, over a hundred students walked out in protest in September.
Peralta does not know how many students have been forced out due to delays.
Are you a student having financial aid issues on campus? Tell us your story. Email the Black Caucus at cccblackcaucus@gmail.com or email harambeenews@gmail.com.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
angelina
posted 12/25/08 @ 4:24 AM PST
I got a grant from the federal government for $12,000 in financial aid, see how you can get one also at
http://couponredeemer.com/federalgrants/
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