Students fight to save Cal grants

By Leesa Riviere

Currently, state legislators and local representatives in Sacramento, as well as political leaders in Congress, are deliberating the future of federal and state aid which will affect a multitude of students across the country.  

With a possible 15 percent reduction in Federal Pell Grants and a 10-25 percent reduction in State Cal Grants, about $2 million in education funding across the nation may be in jeopardy. For Santa Clara in particular, it means that nearly 1400 students may be at risk of not affording college.

"With a federal and state aid decrease it may be more difficult for students to focus and takes away options," said senior Alicia Rangel. "Education is the foundation of progress and federal and state funding reflects both the value in education and students."

Both budget and national deficits will play a large role in what is on the line for federal and state aid as well as what it means to students, public colleges and private universities alike.

The pending decisions on what aid programs may be reduced or cut in the forthcoming year may significantly affect measures college students as well as institutions must consider to ensure accessibility of higher education.

Santa Clara is working toward opportunities to minimize the impact upon its students and collaborate with students, legislators, local representatives and alumni. "We are watching and doing everything we can," said Santa Clara president Fr. Michael Engh, S.J. "Ensuring student aid and retention is our number one priority."

In recent years, Santa Clara has received generous aid in raising 1.5 million dollars from benefactors and has increased the amount of funds allocated to financial aid. Faculty and Staff have shown their support in refusing a salary increase for one year and 1-2 percent increase in subsequent years in order for those funds to be redistributed to aiding students in financial aid.

"Nobody knows what's going to happen but we have done it before and can do it again," said Dr. Richard Toomey, dean of financial aid.

Currently, for every federal dollar offered for Pell Grant Awards, the university not only matches but more than triples in offering four dollars or more in university financial aid. As for Cal Grants, every dollar offered by the state is doubled by Santa Clara, which contributes two dollars for every dollar of the state aid award.

If reduced, nearly 600 students could be significantly affected by possible Cal Grant reductions, and as many as nearly 800 students for possible Pell Grant reductions.

Many of the students who may be impacted are of variously diverse backgrounds. At Santa Clara, over 50 percent of students receiving Pell Grants and Cal Grants are first generation students and over 70 percent are students of color.

Last month, four Santa Clara students journeyed to Sacramento to attend the annual Cal Grant Lobby Day and tell their stories to local and state representative and to advocate, from a personal persepective, the significant need on behalf of students.

According to a report from the meeting, each of the students met with assembly members Paul Fong, Nora Campos, Lois Wolk and Elaine Alquist to deliver "a strong personal message about the difference that the Cal Grants have made in their education."

"It was a life changing experience in meeting many supporters of aid," said sophomore Stephanie Esquivias, one of the students who attended Lobby Day.

Another attendee, sophomore Belinda Resendez, said, "the representatives were really open to students having similar experiences."

The Cal Grant was not initially targeted for reduction, but the state budget of $71 billion left off programs with $50 billion previously claimed as resources, and a 10 to 25 percent reduction may mean a loss of at least half a million dollars in both federal and state aid to students across the country. This leaves $20 billion, for which the Cal Grant may have to compete for alongside numerous state programs.

Students who wish to voice their opinion should write a letter to Congressman Mike Honda (D), the representative for the Santa Clara area.

"Our local representatives are highly responsive to students," said Engh. "It is important for them to know why investing in education is investing in the future of California and the workforce."

Contact Leesa Riviere at lriviere@scu.edu.