Tuition isn’t the only thing that college students have to pay for.
Currently, California students who need financial assistance are able to go to community colleges for free with the California College Promise Grant, but that only covers tuition.
If passed, Senate Bill 291 would create a fund that covers non-tuition expenses such as textbooks, housing, food and transportation.
American Sign Language student Cynthia Gonzalez believes the bill would benefit college students.
“I work full time, go to school, pay bills. If this bill passes, things will be much easier for single parents like me and of course for everyone else that needs the extra help,” Gonzalez said.
Oglivy, a marketing and public relations company, recently sent out over 6,000 emails to try and convince California legislators to pass the bill.
Drake Baglietto, Assistant Accounts Executive at Ogilvy, explained how they have been connecting with students throughout California.
“The important thing is to make sure that students have an opportunity to make their voice heard on this incredibly important issue,” said Baglietto. “As far as our outreach efforts are concerned, we’ve been traveling around the state and gone to events in every community college region.”
Beglietto explained that the logistics still need to be ironed out.
“Right now, they are still working on where the appropriation would be,” Baglietto said.
Vice President of Student Services Earic Dixon-Peters is in favor of the bill.
“If we can support students who are experiencing lack of basic needs, food, homelessness, security, things like that, and help them complete their educational goals, I am all in favor of those things,” Dixon-Peters said.
Dixon-Peters explained that student success isn’t just important to the students.
“Our success is based on whether or not students continue. If we can help students continue from semester to semester till they complete, it will help our college, and help our community and ultimately our society” Dixon-Peters said.
