Oakland, Calif. (KCBS/SFGate) -- The state budget stalemate that has dragged on for over two months is now affecting some 86,000 students who rely on Cal-Grants for financial aid.
At Laney College, it’s already two weeks into the school semester and some students are unable to purchase their books because the financial aid checks haven’t come.
Tihanna Driscan is a student at Laney College studying dental hygiene. She says that without enough money to purchase books she is finding herself at a big disadvantage.
“You can’t ask the teacher to slow down their pace of teaching,” said Driscan. “…you know the teacher’s not just going to hold the class because they don’t have financial aid available.”
17-year-old Alante Pain is also a student at Laney College who is hoping to become an electrical engineer. She says that without her financial aid this late in the semester, she’s not sure if she should continue classes.
“[The situation] kind of puts you in that weird position [because] you need the money for the books now but you can’t wait any longer. So either you drop the class now or just keep waiting and hoping that it will come in the next few weeks,” said Pain.
Adding to the pressure, Wednesday was the last day for students at Laney College to receive full refunds on their tuition if they withdrew from classes for the fall semester.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that without a budget, the state will continue to withhold Cal Grant money. The grant is a $1,551 check that goes any graduating high school senior who meets the financial criteria and has a minimum 2.0 grade point average.
If no spending is approved, by the end of the month nearly $12 billion in state funds will have been kept from various programs including Cal Grants, Medi-Cal payments, transportation projects and certain K-12 programs such as special education.
(cfu)
KCBS' Holly Quan reports
