“I would have to take less classes and work more to pay for my books,” she said. “It’s hard to pay for everything; it’s hard to study.”
Soto already cuts costs by using library copies of her classroom textbooks when possible. But students aren’t allowed to check the books out and can reserve them at the library for only two-hour increments, which can make planning a hassle, she said.
Of the 1,200 Cal Grants administered to Glendale Community College students last year, about 235 were competitive, college administrators said.
About 22,000 of the grants are made available statewide each year.
Portantino on Thursday said Democrats planned to fight elimination of the grant program. Cal Grants for first-year students out of high school would not be affected.
“It makes no sense to punish students who are going to be our future workforce,” he said, especially when demand for community college courses usually increases when the economy sours.
Fall enrollment at Glendale Community College is up 6.3% over the same period last year for a student body of 15,350.
The issue is not scheduled for discussion at the college district Board of Trustees meeting Sept. 15, but even if it was, there was a sense this week among college officials that little could be accomplished given the stalemate in Sacramento.
“This is impacting all of us, and we all have our eyes on the state,” Levy said. “It’s calming to know we’re not in this alone, but something needs to start shifting soon.”
JASON WELLS covers City Hall. He may be reached at (818) 637-3235 or by e-mail at jason.wells@latimes.com.
