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Working Less, Getting More Aid Would Increase Student Success

Oct. 25—APTOS — Community college students are working too much and know too little about financial aid to earn a degree or transfer to a four-year school as quickly as they might hope, according to a report released this week.

A survey of more than 2,600 community college students online and at campuses, including Cabrillo College, found that about half of them didn’t know key facts about financial aid, including that part-time students are eligible and that awards can be used for living expenses not just fees.

The California Public Interest Research Group also reported that respondents work an average of 23 hours per week. Students who said work interferes with their studies work more than 25 hours per week.

Nate Kotila, 26, is a perfect example.

Kotila, who is seeking a certificate in computer programming at Cabrillo, said working full-time keeps him for excelling. He works as a math tutor on campus and a warehouse attendant at a pet supply store to make ends meet.

“If I didn’t have to work 40 hours per week, I would have much more time to study,” he said. “I get by with passing grades, but my study time is severely limited.”

Kotila said he did not apply for financial aid because he assumed he did not qualify as a part-time student. When told otherwise, he said, “Good to know.”

Still, Cabrillo reports that financial aid applications are up this fall as money for federal Pell grants has been increased and the Legislature saved Cal

Grants from extinction. To date, 7,344 students have applied for aid compared to 7,605 for all of the previous academic year.

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