State budget holds causing a challenge for Cal Grants

California̢۪s state budget problem has made an impact on business at Fresno State.

The California Student Aid Commission is awaiting approval of the state budget and cannot send the money to the university that had been promised to thousands of Fresno State students.

Despite the budget problems, the Financial Aid Office at Fresno State is still providing money to students depending on Cal Grants.

“Fresno State is disbursing funds to students with the expectation that the Student Aid Commission will reimburse the campus after the budget is passed,â€Â Financial Aid Director Maria Hernandez said. “The campus has investments which they may rely on for a variety of needs. In this case, [the university is] using money from investments to cover Cal Grants.â€Â

According to Hernandez, the University took this action so there wouldn̢۪t be undue hardship on students who rely on Cal Grants.

Longer lines, less money?

The Financial Aid Office, which is located upstairs in the Joyal Administration Building, is usually backed up in the early part of the semester said Hernandez. The line of students usually runs the length of the hallway in the Joyal Building, and students sometimes wait a half an hour just to get to a window.

“I called the office and they said I was accepted for a Cal Grant, so now I’m here to see what this is about,â€Â music education major Michael Angel said.

He waited in line for over half an hour, and said that by the time he was finished at the office, it had taken an hour and 45 minutes. After the long ordeal, Angel did not come out of the Financial Aid Office with the money he was counting on.

“It’s just a hassle,â€Â Angel said. “There’s a line running down the hallway of the building and only two or three people working. They should put more effort into getting this money to students.â€Â

Hernandez maintains that the flow of money to students is moving along nicely. She says financial aid is awarded and disbursed throughout the academic year and that it̢۪s crowded in the financial aid line because it̢۪s the beginning of the semester.

Students like Angel count on Cal Grant money for books and other expenses, and could get left behind with the current situation.

State budget cuts still uncertain

The proposed budget in California wants to cut financial aid programs like Cal Grants and Competitive Cal Grants.

The GOP̢۪s proposed budget was rejected in the California Senate on Monday. The Republican proposal, which was going to cut financial aid, failed, but what type of budget cuts there will be once a budget is finally passed is unknown.

Student senate brings concerns to state senate

ASI president Mackee Mason spoke to politicians, including senate member Dave Cogdill, last Thursday. Mason voiced his concern that Cal Grants, including competitive Cal Grants should not be cut.

“Fresno State is the working-class university,â€Â Mason said.

“These students pay their own way, and [the university] is covering the tuition only,â€Â Mason said. “There might be some students left out because Cal Grants won’t cover their books. There’s a ton of students with that story and we’re going to fight for them.â€Â

Mason says one goal of his is to allow access and eligibility to Cal Grants for everyone.

“Governor Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget was going to cut competitive Cal Grants, and we have to make sure that doesn’t happen,â€Â Mason said.