San Diego County community college students will have some extra money in their wallets beginning this year. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.
Community college fees in the county and across the state will drop by 23 percent. That means students will pay about $20 for every class they take. Last year they paid $26. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger approved extra funding for community colleges last year. The state’s legislative analyst office advised the governor and the Legislature to spend the surplus on instructional materials and campus maintenance. Instead, state lawmakers voted to use the money to absorb a fee cut.
Students and college officials are praising the move. For the past three years, fees have risen considerably. Student advocates say the fee reduction will encourage more people to enroll in community colleges. Campuses around the state have seen their enrollment drop by 40,000 students over the past four years. Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.
