Deadline near for MJC scholarships

Marlene Sousa, a photography and culinary student in her fourth semester at Modesto Junior College who also holds down a job, is struggling under the financial burden of getting through her first photography class. "This class is very expensive. I had to buy a camera and film," she said. She applied for financial aid a few weeks into this semester, and received a fee waiver, but is still waiting to hear about any grants or scholarships she may qualify for. Marlene is planning to return full-time next semester. "If I receive good financial aid, I will continue to take photography, and finish [training] for my career. If not, I will have [to take] general classes," she said. Students, like Marlene, who apply for MJC scholarships, however, by December 12, could find their situation next year a great deal more comfortable. Although the U.S. economy is in dire straits, and loans are tight, grants and scholarships have not yet been affected and are still available for those who pursue them. "It's not too late to get funded for the Fall and Spring semesters for federal grants. If a student applies now, they could still be eligible for Fall 2008 and Spring 2009," said Myra Rush, Director of Financial Aid at Modesto Junior College. The application period for MJC Scholarships is Oct. 1 to Dec. 12. These awards are made in spring for the following academic year -- Fall 2009 and Spring 2010. You must have a minimum 2.5 GPA and plan to attend full time in the Fall '09 semester. Competition for those scholarships, however, may be getting tighter. Due to the downturn in the world economy, people are losing their jobs, lenders are less likely to lend, and more people are applying to college now than last year. Many of the newly unemployed are going back to college for re-training. Electronic applications are up 30% over last year. California State University recently announced that it will cut enrollments by up to 10,000 next fall and will redirect many students to community colleges. But while the state budget crisis has hit four year institutions hard, community colleges are - for the time being - faring better. FAFSA, Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is the best way for students to apply for all kinds of financial aid. FAFSA is the financial aid application for all colleges and universities; each individual school then has their own documents they require, to complete the application process. Students who have experienced a loss of income since filing their last FAFSA should speak to a financial aid administrator and request a Special Circumstances Adjustment. Financial aid provides funds for room and board, transportation, books and supplies. Community college enrollment fees are lower than at universities, but every other cost of attendance is the same. There is a Board of Governor's Fee Waiver, BOGW, which waives the enrollment fee - the $20 per unit - and FAFSA to cover all other costs of attendance. It is recommended that students apply for the FAFSA, as those who qualify may automatically get a fee waiver, but applying only for the BOGW does not help the students get financial aid from FAFSA. "We encourage all students to fill out a FAFSA, because that's going to be most beneficial," Rush said. According to the report "MJC Financial Aid Statistics for 2007-08," over $18,604,790 in financial aid was given out, including: Pell Grants, Cal Grants, BOGW, scholarships, etc. Almost 10,000 students qualified for fee waivers, totaling well over $3,000,000. Over 4,700 students got Pell Grants, totaling almost $12,400,000. Regarding the possibility of a tuition increase next year, Linda Hoile, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for MJC, said that California Community College tuition rates are set by the State Legislature, not the colleges themselves. "Every dime of that money, $20 a unit, goes to the State. The state funds community colleges based on our FTES, which stands for 'full time equivalent students' and there is a formula used for figuring our FTES. I think the state will implement a 'per unit' fee increase in the future, but it is hard to predict how much or when at this point," she said. The California Community College Chancellor's Office has yet to announce any changes to the current fees. The State of California is currently in a financial crisis of its own, compounded by the state of the U.S. economy. How this will trickle down to students at MJC is as yet unknown. Determined and conscientious students should make sure to file their applications and not lose heart. Sousa says she has previously been successful with FAFSA, and hopes to have more funding next semester to continue her education. The Financial Aid Department is available to answer questions at 577-7700. More information is also available on the internet, at www.mjc.edu/financialaid. FAFSA applications are available at www.FAFSA.ed.gov. The California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office website is www.cccco.edu.

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