During the 2003-04 academic year, community college enrollment fees increased from $11 to $18 per unit, a 64 percent increase. Now, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is proposing raising fees again, this time to $26 per unit.

Students and education officials at California's 108 community colleges, the largest system of higher education in the world, were not happy about the first fee increase. They are even more unhappy about the new proposed one. A 136 percent fee increase, they say, is astronomical.

"We understand that we are in a huge economic crisis and that there needs to be a raise, but raising fees another $8 per unit is just too much," said Brandy Hill, Associated Students Organization president for Southwestern College. Southwestern is the only public institution of higher education in south San Diego County and one of the lowest funded community colleges in California. "I can't afford it, and many other students can't either," said Hill.

Mark Drummond, the new California Community College chancellor, also considers the fee increase a significant challenge to the community colleges, the first door to opportunity for many Californians.

"The fee increase to $26 may discourage low income and underrepresented students from enrolling in the community colleges, but would also be a hardship for all students who look to our system for a cost-effective and quality education," stated Drummond.

One positive aspect of the proposed fee raise is that by increasing it by $8 per unit, the new fee will cross the federal threshold, allowing students who receive financial aid to get the maximum Pell Grant, $4,050 per year, monies they could use for living expenses and books.

The future of Schwarzenegger's proposed budget rests in the hands of the Legislature. We must wait for a while to see if the new student fee increase will go into effect.

What we know for sure is that a massive statewide financial outreach and information campaign is taking place throughout California. The goal is to ensure that students, especially those from low-income families, are aware that community colleges are an excellent option to continue their education and that they offer plenty of financial aid programs to help them reach their goals.

Southwestern, together with the Sweetwater Union High School District, and the Sweetwater Outreach Services Consortium, has been conducting a series of Financial Aid Nights at South Bay high schools to inform parents and students. Southwestern is also sponsoring a series of financial aid assistance workshops at local high schools on Saturdays during February. Further, the college will be conducting Financial Aid Week, Feb. 9-13, for students already enrolled at the institution.

Financial aid programs available at Southwestern College, and the other community colleges in California, are mostly funded through the state and federal government.

Federal aid programs include:

l Federal Pell Grant: A program that provides need-based grants to low-income undergraduate students to promote access to postsecondary education.

l Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant: A program that also provides need-based grants to low-income undergraduate students to promote access to post-secondary education. Priority is given to students with "exceptional need" and who are Pell Grant recipients.

l Federal work study: A program that provides jobs for undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need.

l Federal subsidized student loan: A need-based student loan program designed to assist students with their educational expenses during a period of enrollment in an eligible program of study.

Cal Grant programs include:

l Cal Grant A: Helps low and middle income students pay tuition and fees at California State University campuses and University of California campuses, independent colleges and some private occupational schools in California.

l Cal Grant B: An entitlement or competitive grant administered by the California Student Aid Commission provides a living allowance for low-income students.

l Cal Grant C: A grant designed for students who are pursuing a vocationally oriented program and pays for tuition and other training-related costs.

Other available programs include:

l Board of Governor's fee waiver: A state-funded program designed to assist eligible students with the cost of registration fees.

l Emergency loans: Up to $100 is available to students enrolled in at least six units at Southwestern College.

These programs were established to assist students with their educational expenses and help them attain their goals. Applying for money for books, fees, housing and transportation can be accomplished by filling out a single, simple application. Applications are available at www.fafsa.ed.gov, from high school counselors and at the Southwestern College financial aid office.

Students who apply have nothing to lose and an education to gain.

López is director for financial aid at Southwestern College in Chula Vista (www.swc.cc.ca.us).