Ava Weintraub
Another budget stalemate is finally over as the 2008 to 2009 California state budget is now signed, sealed and delivered. Cal Grant recipients will get their money.
Cal Grant B Entitlement Award recipients and community colleges waited on the sidelines for 83 days wondering if the funding for the grant would fall victim to budget-slashing politicians as was threatened in earlier versions of the budget.
Marco De La Garza, dean of students and head of financial aid, said, “There are 237 Cal Grants waiting for funding.” He added, “If the budget passes without (Cal Grant entitlement) funding, no money can be released.”
The Cal Grant B Entitlement Award is provided for high-school graduates from low-income families.
“Most of the students waiting for Cal Grant money also have Federal Pell Grants and Board of Governors Fee Waivers,” De La Garza said. “The $1,551 Cal Grant money helps with their day-to-day living expenses.”
“We’ll help any student who wants to learn and is serious about school,” Pierce College President Robert Garber said. “We’ll find some way to get the money to them.”
California’s fiscal year begins July 1 and this year the state budget was more than two months late – a new record.
Some of the delay has been blamed on the two-thirds majority vote required to pass a budget in the legislature. Unlike California, other states require a simple majority vote to avoid long, protracted budget battles.
Finger-pointing from across the aisle and calls for Schwarzenegger’s resignation didn’t speed up the budget process, either.
Phone calls requesting comments on the budget impasse to District 41 (Pierce College area) Assembly Member, Julia Brownley and State Senator Sheila Kuehl were not returned.
A Financial Aid office employee helps Adrian Flores, a nursing student at Pierce, sign up for financial aid. Many students have awaited the newly signed bill to receive their financial aid money. (Aisha Ahal)
