Jessica Mendez tried getting into three English classes Monday at Ventura College, but they were all full. She talked a professor into sliding her into a fourth, but only if someone dropped.

She was turned away from math. So she signed up for study skills, a course she does not need.

For the 17-year-old Fillmore High School graduate, it was a rude introduction to college in the midst of a budget crisis.

"I understand they had to have budget cuts, but it's just really unfair," she said, sitting with her baby-blue backpack outside the administration building. "I just want to be in school."

Fall semesters began Monday at Ventura County community colleges. In addition to a first day that included lines at bookstores, lines at registration offices and lines for financial aid, some students faced new difficulties.

Because of California's $34 billion budget shortfall, state-funded Ventura, Oxnard and Moorpark colleges were forced to cut about 10 percent of classes this semester. Fewer offerings meant students registering last-minute had trouble finding space in core courses like math, English, history and political science.

The drop in state dollars also sparked a tuition increase. Students will pay $18 per unit instead of $11.

"We expect head counts to go down between the cuts in classes and the rise in fees," Ventura College spokeswoman Alisa Moore said. "I believe doors are closed when you don't get the classes you need."

As the semester began, decreased classes and tuition boosts left students and schools scrambling. To meet the demand, schools like Oxnard College might open more sections of core classes around Labor Day -- but only if there are enough faculty members. Other schools wonder whether they will be able to meet the demand at all.

Monday, some students worried about paying more, while others struggled to find classes needed to transfer to schools in the California State University system.

As he spent Monday waiting in Oxnard College's registration line, Wayne Thomas, 43, dreaded reaching the front and seeing his bill. Thomas is two science classes short of completing his associate degree. As a married man with a family, he expects to feel the effects of higher tuition in his wallet.

"Going up $7 each unit is going to hurt," he said. "I have my goals and I need to get there and I don't have a choice."

Meanwhile, while registering at Oxnard College, Michelle Freedman, 29, was disappointed to learn the English, math, history and psychology sections she wanted were closed.

"They're all filled up, and I was excited about them," she said. "I'm sure I can find those same classes at different times."

Ramiro Sanchez, Oxnard College's executive vice president of student learning, advises people to check with professors about spots that open due to dropouts. Based on need, a decision will be made this week about offering more sections of high-demand classes. At Ventura College, Moore doubts extra sections of courses like math will be possible because of a faculty shortage.

Despite cuts, Sanchez hopes Oxnard enrollment jumps to 9,000 this semester. About 11,000 are enrolled so far at Ventura College, compared to the usual 12,000. Registration at Moorpark College fell 4.66 percent from last year's 15,267. Officials attribute the decrease to a smaller number of class offerings.

"I think what we're going to see is that every class will be full," said Moorpark College spokeswoman Jeanne Bailey.

Meanwhile, on her first day at Ventura College, Mendez was already worried about the impact of fewer classes on her future.

"It really puts you behind ... for your transfer credits," she said. "I'm going to have to go to summer school."

After earning her associate degree, Mendez hopes to move to California State University, Channel Islands, for her bachelor's.

She is considering a career in education.