The Financial Aid Department was not able to provide disbursements to Cerritos Students who were awarded Cal Grants for the Fall semester this past Friday as a result of a state budget stalemate.

California has gone three months without adopting a new budget, failing to deliver to the state’s community colleges $840 million in funding. 

Veronica Castro, account technician for the Financial Aid Department,  said that if the budget was passed today, the process would take around one month before the Cal Grants reach Cerritos College. 

“Disbursals were supposed to happen [Sept. 24] and they didn’t,” Castro said. 

Concerning the delay, John Nunes, business major, said that “They definitely need to get straightened out up in Sacramento.”

“Things are all screwed up over there, apparently. Especially education and benefits towards people trying to get an education.” Nunes said. 

Of the three different Cal Grant types, two are directed towards community colleges like Cerritos; Cal Grant B and Cal Grant C.

Castro explained the circumstances surrounding each grant.

“The difference between both is Cal Grant B is for students that are going to get their associates degree and/or transfer, and Cal Grant C is for students that are coming for a vocational, so they’re just coming to get a certificate.

“The difference is money; C is much smaller than the Cal grant B.”

 John Anthony, English major, said, “For the people who worked hard, to get where they’re at right now and get their Cal Grant, for the government to push that aside…

“That’s really messed up.”

“As students, [we] should speak up to the people that are in Sacramento,” Anthony said.

Students that are interested in obtaining a Cal Grant will need to fulfill the requirements.

Cal Grants have two deadlines; one on March 2 that applies to the upcoming fall semester, and another on Sept. 2.

“You will need your FAFSA done and a GPA submitted. [For] the GPA, you have to have completed more than 24 degree applicable units here or at any community college to apply,” Castro said.

The last time the Cal Grant funding arrived so late was in October 2008, which also happened to be an election year. 

According to the California Community College Chancellor’s Office about 41,000 students, or 60 percent of all Cal Grant recipients, have not been awarded their grants.

Jack Scott, chancellor for the community colleges of California, said, “Cal Grants help fuel local economies.

“The untimely delay means our students won’t be spending money and local business will miss out on the revenue opportunity while the money sits in the state coffers.” 

California currently has a $19 billion deficit.