College Officials Lobby U. S. on How Changes Would Impact County

Facing changes in federal funding and welfare reform that are expected to increase enrollment, Ventura Community College District Chancellor Philip Westin joined other state officials this week in an unprecedented trip to lobby federal officials in Washington, D.C.

Westin and trustee Bob Gonzalez returned Thursday from a legislative conference in Washington. The chancellor’s prior involvement with federal issues was minimal because most community college funding was funneled through the states. That is changing, largely due to sweeping changes in education policy proposed by President Clinton.

“What we’re seeing now, however, is a unique situation that puts us on a different level of involvement with the federal government,” Westin said.

“I found it very eye opening as to how business is done back there,” he said, adding that he and Gonzalez made an extra effort to let legislators know how their plans would affect Ventura County.

He said three major issues will have a direct effect on community colleges throughout the state--increases in the Pell grant program, the Hope Scholarship tax credits and welfare reform.

The Higher Education Act, which provides funding for federal loan and scholarship programs, comes around for reauthorization every five years.

This year, the component that is most important for students in Ventura County is the Pell grant program, Westin said.

The Pell grant is a scholarship for low-income students. The Ventura Community College District spent more than $3 million in Pell grants for 2,694 students last year. Almost 800 students received $2,340 each--the maximum amount for the county. The district has about 26,000 students.

Clinton has proposed expanding the Pell grant program by increasing the maximum annual benefit from $2,700 to $3,000 and providing it to an additional 130,000 students from low-income families. Clinton also wants to extend the grants to an additional 218,000 students, many of them older, who are not dependent on their families.

“But the one big area of concern here is whether the $300 is coming out of the same size pot, or is the pot getting larger?” Westin said.

Democrats say the pot will increase, while Republicans say the extra money is coming from the same pot, Westin said, adding that if the latter is the case, it will result in serving fewer students. Legislators hope to have this wrinkle ironed out by October.

The second major issue that will affect the area’s community colleges is the Hope Scholarship tax credit.

Clinton’s proposal includes offering tax credits of up to $1,500 per student annually for two years, with students eligible for a second year only if they maintain a B average the first year.

However, the president’s initiative would provide tax credits equal to the cost of tuition, up to $1,500, Westin said.

County students would be at a disadvantage compared to other community college students across the country because tuition is much lower in the California community college system, where it’s only $13 per unit, Westin said.

Westin suggested that an analysis be done to take into consideration books, supplies and other costs involved in attending school before any final decisions are made.

The third major issue affecting community colleges is the welfare reform legislation passed last year, requiring people to get off welfare and back to work. The legislation has a 12-month limit on getting back into the work force, but a number of vocational programs in the community college system last two years.

Westin said legislators told him that they are willing to take this into consideration with amendments to the legislation.

Welfare reform legislation has prompted the Ventura Community College District to form a partnership with the county in anticipation of welfare recipients needing training before entering the work force.