Community college financial aid applications are down as deadline looms

Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. is the deadline for California community college students to submit applications for Cal Grant awards.

College financial aid applications are down by the tens of thousands across the state this year after the U.S. Department of Education's roll out of a new application form last winter was plagued by delays.

As of Aug. 27, the state had collected 40,000 fewer applications from California residents than at the same point last year, according to a joint news release Thursday from the California Student Aid Commission and California Community College system.

"We believe in your dreams," California Student Aid Commission Executive Director Daisy Gonzales wrote in the release. "Apply.”

Detailed information is available at www.csac.ca.gov/how-apply .

Last fall, federal officials delayed the launch of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid — commonly known as the FAFSA — from Oct. 1 to Jan. 1 as they worked to finalize what was supposed to be a quicker, simpler application form.

But even with the extra three months, the new form was a mess . By February, universities and colleges were seeing weekslong delays to access student applications and considering extending commitment deadlines.

"It's an ongoing saga," Alma Rodriguez, the financial aid director for Ventura College, said on Friday. "It would go down, the system would be out of order. We would find ourselves without any answers or help for families."

The California Student Aid Commission uses the federal form to calculate state financial aid, including Cal Grant awards up to $1,648 each for community college students.

Some California students who live in households where members have varied immigration or citizenship status are unable to complete the FAFSA, according to the commission. In place of the federal application, those students can submit a California Dream Act Application that will open up access to state, local and institutional financial aid.

The process won't be back to normal next year. Federal officials announced in August that while some students and institutions will get access to a beta version of the application on Oct. 1, widespread access won't begin until Dec. 1.

EdSource contributed to this report.

Isaiah Murtaugh covers education for the Ventura County Star in partnership with Report for America. Reach him at isaiah.murtaugh@vcstar.com or 805-437-0236 and follow him on Twitter @ isaiahmurtaugh and @ vcsschools . You can support this work with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America .

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Community college financial aid applications are down as deadline looms