COLLEGE STUDENTS FEEL PINCH: STUDENT LOAN APPLICATIONS UP 21% AT GROSSMONT

FAFSA, the federal government’s instrument for calculating need-based aid, is used by colleges and universities to determine financial aid eligibility for federal and state aid programs. Historically, a majority of the FAFSA applications received by the college are completed during the first half of the year, Copenhaver added.

In addition, Copenhaver said that during the 2007-2008 academic year Grossmont students received $13.1 million in financial aid, and his office is on track to distribute more than $14 million in financial aid during the current 2008-2009 academic year, which will close out in August after the summer Pell Awards are disbursed.

Enrollment has also risen sharply at community colleges as a result of tough economic times, a moratorium on automatic transfer student admissions from community colleges at SDSU, and rising fees at both the University of California and at the California State University System. At CSU schools, another 20% increase in tuition fees was approved last week, a move that is expected to further increase pressures on community colleges, which will face substantial cuts under the budget currently awaiting the Governor’s signature.